Lira City vaccinates 40,000 residents against Mpox in high-risk areas

31 March 2026, 7:29 pm

By Ceaser Odongo

The Ministry of Health, in partnership with Lira City Council, has successfully vaccinated 40,000 people against Mpox (monkeypox), focusing on high-risk and hotspot areas within Lira City.

The City Health Inspector, Innocent Ojwang, confirmed the development in an interview with our reporter. He explained that over the past two weeks, the city health department received 40,000 doses of the Mpox vaccine from the Ministry of Health, specifically designated for use in high-concentration and vulnerable areas.

Ojwang noted that the vaccination campaign targeted groups considered most at risk, including truck drivers, commercial sex workers, boda boda riders, and individuals operating in busy public spaces such as bus parks, taxi parks, clubs, and night bars.

He further emphasised that the Ministry of Health is undertaking a nationwide effort to curb the spread of Mpox, particularly in urban centres like Lira City, while continuing to warn the public about the ongoing threat of the disease.

The health inspector commended residents for embracing the vaccination exercise, highlighting that the campaign achieved significant turnout even without large-scale mobilisation efforts. He encouraged the public to remain vigilant, promptly report any unusual illness to nearby health facilities, and actively participate in government health programmes, stressing that health remains a top priority.

Mpox is a viral disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans and between humans. In the past year, Uganda recorded more than 2,000 confirmed Mpox cases and over 40 related deaths. Lira City alone registered three confirmed cases and one fatality.

Authorities continue to urge the public to stay alert and cooperate with health initiatives as vaccination efforts expand. The success of the campaign in Lira City highlights the importance of community participation in controlling the spread of infectious diseases.