A five-day nationwide vaccination campaign aims to close immunisation gaps as suspected measles cases rise and only 64% of eligible children have received a second dose.
Uganda has launched a nationwide measles-rubella vaccination drive aimed at reaching more than 7.4 million children as health officials warn that the country is facing a renewed threat from a disease that can kill or disable young children. The five-day campaign, set for October 1 to 5, is designed to close gaps in routine immunisation after years of missed doses, stock shortages and uneven coverage in parts of the country.
At a stakeholder meeting in Kampala, the Ministry of Health brought together parliamentarians, religious leaders, cultural institutions, civil society groups and development partners in an effort to secure community backing for the exercise. According to the ministry, the campaign targets children aged nine months to five years, regardless of whether they have previously received a measles shot, and will be delivered through fixed points in communities by trained health workers.
Charles Ayume, the minister of state for health in charge of primary health care, said the drive was about more than a short-term catch-up effort. Speaking through Charles Olaro, the director general of health services, Ayume urged leaders to help ensure that every eligible child is reached and said the campaign should also strengthen Uganda’s wider immunisation system. He argued that predictable funding, stronger logistics and better community mobilisation were essential if coverage was to remain high.
The urgency is clear. Ministry of Health data cited in the campaign brief show suspected measles cases have risen steadily since 2022, with 2,365 suspected cases reported by 2025 and a case fatality rate of about 2.5 per cent. In Karamoja, the fatality rate is far higher, at 6 per cent, where children are especially vulnerable because of the overlap between measles and malnutrition. Officials have also said that outbreaks have spread across much of the country, with dozens of districts affected in 2025.
The ministry and the Uganda National Expanded Programme on Immunization have pointed to several reasons for the resurgence. They include low vaccine uptake, disruption from the movement of people across borders, complacency among some families and weak follow-up for second doses. Officials say only 64 per cent of eligible children nationwide have received the second measles-rubella dose, well below the 95 per cent coverage they consider necessary for strong protection. In the Buganda region, first-dose coverage stands at 79 per cent and second-dose coverage at just 50 per cent.
The campaign also comes as Uganda faces wider pressure on its health budget. Ministry officials say Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is moving towards fixed funding envelopes under reforms for 2026 to 2030, which could constrain future support. Jimmy Ameny, the ministry’s Gavi funds coordinator, said Uganda has been allocated a yearly ceiling of $51 million for vaccines, compared with previous spending of as much as $67 million. He warned that rising vaccine prices, refugee-related demand and possible donor cuts could make it harder to sustain current programmes.
Local mobilisation is already under way in districts and sub-regions. In Busoga, health officials have urged local leaders to use public meetings, churches and mosques to counter misinformation and encourage parents to bring their children forward. In Mayuge, district leaders said false claims spread by an anti-government cult had discouraged some families from participating in health campaigns. In Luwero, district officials warned headteachers against obstructing vaccinations and said health workers have been deployed to reach a target of 124,000 children.
The ministry says the vaccine is safe, effective and free, and that any side effects are usually mild. After the campaign, routine immunisation will continue through Child Health Days. Health officials say the goal is not simply to record doses given, but to make sure children who are still missing protection are actually reached.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
