Reluctance to vaccinate fuels measles outbreak in Kyegegwa district

26 March 2026, 3:29 pm

By Asuman Kyalisiima

One death related to a measles outbreak has been recorded in Kyegegwa District, after five out of six samples submitted to the Uganda Virus Research Institute tested positive on March 20, 2026.

While addressing a district health task force meeting chaired by the Resident District Commissioner on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the district headquarters, the District Health Officer, Murumba Richard, revealed that on March 16, 2026, a Village Health Team member from Kiruhura LC I, Ruhangiire Parish, Rwentuha Subcounty, reported to the in-charge of Ruhangiire Health Centre II that several children in the village were presenting symptoms such as persistent cough, high fever, skin rash, and red eyes.

Dr. Murumba further noted that all identified cases are currently being reviewed by health teams and are being managed from their respective homes.

He added that investigations indicate that among the six children whose samples were collected, two had not been immunised, while four had received only one dose of the vaccine.

To curb the spread of the disease, Dr. Murumba highlighted measures including routine immunisation of children under five years and the designation of isolation centers at Mpara Health Centre IV and Kyegegwa District General Hospital.

Alex Bright Nzirimu, the Resident District Commissioner of Kyegegwa District and chairperson of the task force, attributed the outbreak to reluctance among parents.

Nzirimu also called on the public to adhere to the Uganda Immunisation Act, which makes vaccination mandatory for children, women of reproductive age (15–49), and other target groups against immunizable diseases.