Minister of Health, Dr. Ruth Aceng, cautions political leaders and religious groups in Kibuku District against spreading unfounded information and discouraging the Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) program. The initiative, aimed at combating malaria and funded by USAID, faced opposition from local leaders and residents who raised concerns about the chemicals used.
In response to the community’s worries, Kibuku District Council passed a resolution in December 2022, halting the IRS program until addressed. Allegations linking the spraying chemicals to impotence, child mortality, and increased malaria spread were dismissed by scientists as baseless.
Dr. Aceng notes a rise in malaria cases in Kibuku since the suspension of the IRS program, contrasting with neighboring districts where malaria cases have decreased. During a meeting with district leaders and stakeholders, the Minister emphasizes the importance of cooperation and resolving the impasse for the program to resume.
Dr. Godfrey Kagawa Buyinza, Kibuku District Health Officer, highlights a drastic increase in malaria cases, with 211,185 recorded in 2023 compared to 8,771 in 2015. Kibuku Woman MP, Ms. Jennipher Namuyangu, expresses concern over the alarming death rate among children due to malaria-related diseases.
Acknowledging the severity of malaria in the district, Kibuku District Chairperson, Mr. Muhamad Nakeba, indicates a shift in leadership stance. Following discussions with the Ministry of Health experts, the district is now positive about malaria interventions, including IRS, and will support its implementation across the entire district.
