Dr. Alex Riolexus Ario Urges Clan Heads to Combat Negative Vaccination Discourse in Uganda

11 June 2025, 4:57 pm

By Sarah Ejang

On Wednesday, June 11th, 2025, during a specially organized meeting of clan heads at Lira City Hall, Dr. Alex Riolexus Ario, the Minister of Health under the Lango cultural institution, made a significant plea.

He urged clan leaders to assist the government in countering the negative discourse surrounding vaccination programs in the country.

Dr. Ario highlighted the pressing issue of individuals who consistently speak ill of the government’s vaccination initiatives without presenting valid reasons for their claims about the alleged dangers of vaccines. “There exists a category of individuals whose primary role is to speak ill of the government’s vaccination initiatives, often without providing valid reasons regarding the alleged dangers of the vaccines,” Ario stated emphatically.

The meeting, organized by the Ministry of Health, aimed to educate clan leaders specifically about malaria vaccines. Dr. Ario emphasized that there is no evidence indicating that the vaccines have resulted in the death of any child in Uganda.

This reassurance seeks to dispel unfounded fears and encourage trust in the vaccination programs.

In his capacity as the Director of the Uganda National Institute of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ario underscored the pivotal role clan heads could play in promoting the significance of malaria vaccines to their communities. “The government recognizes that clan heads are best positioned to convey the importance of malaria vaccines to their communities,” he noted, emphasizing the critical influence these leaders hold.

Further reinforcing the government’s commitment to public health, Dr. Ario mentioned that Uganda aims for parents to vaccinate their children against 13 diseases before they turn five years old.

This comprehensive approach underscores the importance of early childhood vaccination in safeguarding public health.

Adding weight to Dr. Ario’s statements, the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Charles Olaro, recently addressed a letter to clan heads, highlighting the severe impact of malaria in Uganda. “Malaria remains one of the diseases that continue to claim many lives in Uganda,” Dr. Olaro noted, pointing out that 30 to 50 percent of hospital visits involve individuals testing positive for malaria, especially children under five years old.

By engaging clan heads in this vital dialogue, the Ministry of Health hopes to leverage traditional structures to enhance the success of its vaccination campaigns.

The collaboration between government health officials and cultural institutions like the Lango cultural institution is essential to overcoming resistance and ensuring better health outcomes for all Ugandans.