By Alex Don
Kyegegwa, Uganda — Leaders in Kyegegwa District have intensified efforts to contain a measles outbreak, with the district task force requesting UGX 90 million to support emergency response operations.
Officials say the district’s large geographical size is complicating containment measures, making it harder for health teams to quickly reach affected communities and prevent further spread of the disease.
Currently, only 18 health centres are serving the entire district, a situation authorities describe as overstretched. More concerning, three sub-counties in Kyegegwa District still lack any health facilities, leaving residents with limited or no access to essential medical services.
The funding request is expected to facilitate critical interventions, including mass vaccination campaigns, community outreach programs, disease surveillance, and transportation for health workers operating in remote areas.
Our district is vast, and without adequate resources, it becomes very difficult to effectively control the outbreak and protect our people, a district official noted.
Health experts warn that measles, a highly contagious disease, can spread rapidly in underserved areas if swift action is not taken, especially among children who are most vulnerable.
Local authorities are now urging the central government and development partners to respond urgently, emphasizing that timely funding could make the difference between containment and escalation.
The situation highlights ongoing challenges in rural healthcare delivery, where limited infrastructure continues to hinder effective disease response.
