Health
Uganda announces new approach to eradicate rabies
Rwamirama explained that the figures show the need for continued public-health vigilance and action on rabies and the need to improve reporting, investigation and coordinated surveillance.
Minister of State for Animal Husbandry Bright Rwamirama addresses the press at the Uganda Media Centre ahead of World Rabies Day on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. (Courtesy)
By: Prossy Nandudu, Journalist @New Vision
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Apart from mass vaccination of dogs and cats in efforts to reduce incidents of rabies disease in the country, Uganda is pursuing an extensive One Health approach to eliminate rabies disease from the country.
Domestic dogs cause 99% of human rabies cases worldwide, especially in Africa and Asia.
The national event to mark World Rabies Day will take place in Luwero district.
World Rabies Day, which is celebrated on September 28, in honour of Louis Pasteur, whose pioneering work contributed to the development of the first rabies vaccine, will be celebrated in Luwero District.
The theme for World Rabies Day 2026, "Stronger Together", reminds us that rabies cannot be eliminated by one sector acting alone.
Government stresses that effective control requires coordinated action by the animal health, human health and environmental sectors, supported by Local Governments, communities, schools, development partners and responsible animal owners.
In Uganda, rabies has been reported from many parts of the country.
On Wednesday, while addressing the media, Major Bright Rwamirama, the Minister of Agriculture in charge of Animal Husbandry, said that the One Health approach includes:
- Provision of human anti-rabies vaccines through the health system for people exposed to suspected rabid animals
- Increase diagnosis through NADDEC, supported by regional and district veterinary laboratories and trained personnel
- Community awareness and behaviour-change communication on responsible pet ownership, annual vaccination, bite prevention, reporting of suspected cases and appropriate action following exposure, among others.
In Uganda, rabies has been reported from many parts of the country.
On Wednesday, while addressing the media, Major Bright Rwamirama, the Minister of Agriculture in charge of Animal Husbandry, said that the One Health approach includes:
- Provision of human anti-rabies vaccines through the health system for people exposed to suspected rabid animals
- Increase diagnosis through NADDEC, supported by regional and district veterinary laboratories and trained personnel
- Community awareness and behaviour-change communication on responsible pet ownership, annual vaccination, bite prevention, reporting of suspected cases and appropriate action following exposure, among others.
The approach, he said, will be supplemented with strengthened surveillance and collaboration between veterinary, public-health and environmental authorities.
“With all these interventions, the aim is to raise awareness about rabies, renew Uganda’s commitment to its prevention and control, and mobilise communities and institutions towards the global goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030,” Rwamirama added.
Between 2021 and 2025, 36 samples were confirmed positive for rabies at the National Animal Disease Diagnostics and Epidemiology Centre (NADDEC).
He also added that between 2022 and 2025, Ministry of Health records reported 67,393 suspected human bite cases and 190 human deaths, while 356 suspected animal deaths were recorded.
Rwamirama explained that the figures show the need for continued public-health vigilance and action on rabies and the need to improve reporting, investigation and coordinated surveillance.
In terms of economics, Rwamirama said that the government spends more on human post-exposure prophylaxis and animal vaccination for people bitten by dogs or cats, while affected households bear costs associated with treatment, transport, loss of animals, loss of productivity and loss of life.
“Preventing infection in animals, particularly through sustained vaccination of dogs, is therefore both a public-health and an economic priority,” he said.
“With all these interventions, the aim is to raise awareness about rabies, renew Uganda’s commitment to its prevention and control, and mobilise communities and institutions towards the global goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030,” Rwamirama added.
Between 2021 and 2025, 36 samples were confirmed positive for rabies at the National Animal Disease Diagnostics and Epidemiology Centre (NADDEC).
He also added that between 2022 and 2025, Ministry of Health records reported 67,393 suspected human bite cases and 190 human deaths, while 356 suspected animal deaths were recorded.
Rwamirama explained that the figures show the need for continued public-health vigilance and action on rabies and the need to improve reporting, investigation and coordinated surveillance.
In terms of economics, Rwamirama said that the government spends more on human post-exposure prophylaxis and animal vaccination for people bitten by dogs or cats, while affected households bear costs associated with treatment, transport, loss of animals, loss of productivity and loss of life.
“Preventing infection in animals, particularly through sustained vaccination of dogs, is therefore both a public-health and an economic priority,” he said.