Kyegegwa officials alarmed by low Rwentuha child immunization rates

30 June 2025, 18:06

By Noah Kasangaki Ateenyi

Health officials in Kyegegwa district have raised concerns over low immunisation rates among children in Rwentuha subcounty, citing parental negligence and home births as key causes.

The experts have expressed growing concern over the increasing number of residents abandoning essential health services, particularly childhood immunisation.

During a community engagement meeting held on Saturday, 28th June, at Mukayembe Trading Centre and attended by locals from surrounding villages such as Ruhangira and Kinombe in Rwentuha subcounty, Kyegegwa District Health Educator Ronald Mugabi revealed worrying statistics. He noted that in Mukayembe alone, 26 children under the age of five had not received any immunisation, while an additional 18 had not completed their required doses.

Mugabi stated that in response to these alarming figures, the Ministry of Health, in partnership with UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), has launched a community engagement campaign aimed at understanding the root causes behind the low uptake of health services.

Responding to the residents’ concerns, Mugabi announced that the district health department is considering setting up a permanent outreach program in the area to improve access to services. He urged parents to take full advantage of the proposed facility.

Meanwhile, Scovia Nyamahunge, the Health Inspector for Rwentuha subcounty, attributed the rising number of unimmunised children to the continued practice of giving birth in villages rather than at health facilities. She condemned the trend and encouraged mothers to seek professional medical care during childbirth.

Some community members also pointed to misinformation and parental negligence. They cited a lack of awareness, coupled with laziness among some parents, as contributing factors to the poor health-seeking behavior in the area.

The district health team pledged to intensify health education and mobilisation efforts to ensure that all children receive the care they need, as part of broader efforts to improve community health across Kyegegwa.