The Ministry of Health has embarked on the distribution of mosquito nets in Kayunga District as part of renewed efforts to combat malaria, with residents urged to use the nets appropriately to protect their families against the disease.
The campaign, launched at Kisawo-Kibira in Kayunga Town Council, follows the delivery of 471,400 insecticide-treated mosquito nets to the district.
The nets are being distributed across all 71 parishes and 407 villages, with households expected to receive them as part of the government’s malaria prevention efforts.
The Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Kayunga District, John Magezi Lukooki, expressed concern over reports that some beneficiaries have continued to misuse mosquito nets, undermining government efforts to reduce malaria infections.
Magezi said the practice compromises the intended purpose of the intervention, which is to ensure that households have access to effective protection against mosquito bites, especially at night.
He cautioned residents, particularly those living in fishing communities, against using the nets to catch fish, warning that anyone found engaging in the illegal practice risks facing legal action.
“Mosquito nets are distributed to protect people against malaria, not for fishing. We urge all beneficiaries to use them for their intended purpose because misuse undermines government efforts in the fight against the disease,” Magezi said.
He appealed to local leaders and community members to support the campaign by sensitising residents on the importance of sleeping under treated mosquito nets and safeguarding the resources provided by government to improve public health.
Meanwhile, Allan Mayambala, the Ministry of Health campaign supervisor, said the distribution exercise had started well, expressing optimism that the programme would contribute to strengthening malaria prevention efforts in the district.
Mayambala explained that the exercise is being conducted using a new registration system, adding that only residents who registered through the system are eligible to receive the mosquito nets.
He urged community members to cooperate with the distribution teams and follow the established procedures to ensure that the nets reach the intended beneficiaries.
The registration system is intended to guide the distribution process and help ensure that eligible households receive the mosquito nets.
Malaria remains a major public health concern in Uganda, making the proper use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets an important preventive measure, alongside other malaria-control interventions.
Health authorities continue to emphasise that the effectiveness of the campaign depends not only on distributing the nets but also on ensuring that beneficiaries use them consistently and correctly.
The Ministry of Health is therefore counting on the cooperation of local leaders and residents in Kayunga District to ensure that the campaign achieves its intended objective of reducing malaria infections and protecting vulnerable groups, including children and pregnant women.