Luweero District LCV Chairperson Erasto Kibirango has cautioned residents against misusing mosquito nets distributed by the government, urging them to use the treated nets for their intended purpose of preventing malaria.
Kibirango warned against practices such as using mosquito nets to catch white ants, rear poultry or strain juice, saying such misuse could undermine efforts to control malaria, which continues to cause illness and deaths in communities.
“People should use these mosquito nets for the purpose for which they were distributed. They are meant for sleeping under to protect us against mosquito bites, not for catching white ants or straining juice,” Kibirango said.
He made the remarks while launching the distribution of mosquito nets in Kitabula Village, Butuntumula Sub-county, Luweero District.
Luweero District received 378,350 mosquito nets from the Ministry of Health for distribution across its 101 parishes and 624 villages as part of efforts to reduce malaria infections and deaths.
Kibirango urged residents to take responsibility for their health by sleeping under treated mosquito nets every night and ensuring that all household members are protected.
However, the distribution exercise has raised concerns in Kitabula Village, which has a population of more than 3,000 people but received only 450 mosquito nets. Residents questioned whether the allocation would be sufficient to cover the community.
Bena Nakiyimba, the district malaria focal person, explained that some residents might have been left out during the population enumeration exercise.
Nakiyimba assured residents that the district would work towards securing additional mosquito nets to ensure that the community receives adequate coverage.
“We are aware that some people may not have been captured during the population enumeration exercise, but we shall ensure that the village receives enough mosquito nets to meet the needs of the residents,” Nakiyimba said.
Residents and local leaders welcomed the distribution exercise, thanking district authorities for extending the intervention to their community.
However, they also appealed to the government to address other pressing challenges facing the village, including the lack of public toilets, a health facility and a school.
They said improving access to these essential services would strengthen sanitation, healthcare and education in the area.
The distribution of mosquito nets is part of broader efforts to reduce malaria infections and deaths through prevention. Health authorities continue to encourage households to use treated mosquito nets consistently every night to protect themselves against mosquito bites and reduce the risk of malaria.