By Ben Musanje
The Government of Uganda has rolled out a major package of equipment aimed at reaching thousands of children who have never received a single vaccine, in a bold push to close immunization gaps across the country.
The equipment—procured through the Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Equity Accelerator Fund and the Health Systems Strengthening Grant III was launched on Wednesday by Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng at the ministry headquarters, who said the initiative will empower health workers to reach some of the most isolated and underserved communities.
“This investment demonstrates Uganda’s commitment to ensuring no child is left behind simply because of where they live,” Dr. Aceng said.
Under the Uganda National Expanded Programme on Immunization, Uganda currently protects children against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles, polio, tuberculosis, pneumonia and malaria.
Despite significant progress in immunization coverage, thousands of children still miss out on vaccines due to geographical and social barriers. Health officials say island communities, mountainous areas, pastoral settlements, refugee-hosting districts and urban informal settlements continue to pose challenges for health service delivery.
These barriers have contributed to the persistence of so-called “zero-dose” children—those who have never received any vaccine—as well as under-immunized children who fail to complete their vaccination schedules.
To address this, the Ministry of Health is implementing targeted interventions in 59 districts with the highest burden of zero-dose children.
At the heart of the new rollout is a fleet of 642 motorcycles that will enable health workers to penetrate remote villages, conduct regular immunization outreach services and track children who miss their vaccines.
The initiative also includes 90 portable camping tents, 1,095 sleeping bags, more than 2,000 raincoats and backpacks, 3,238 umbrellas, 1,095 gumboots and 2,022 life jackets to support travel to island and fishing communities. Health workers operating in mountainous areas will also receive lightweight climbing helmets to improve safety while navigating steep terrain.
Officials say the equipment will significantly strengthen last-mile delivery of immunization services and improve supervision of health facilities in hard-to-reach areas.
Districts highlighted during the launch illustrated the diverse challenges facing the country’s immunization efforts. These included Kalangala District, representing island communities; Mayuge District, where vaccine resistance has been reported in some religious groups; Kasese District, known for its mountainous terrain; Kotido District in the pastoral Karamoja region; and Terego District, which hosts refugees.
Dr. Aceng urged parents and community leaders to support immunization campaigns and ensure children complete their vaccination schedules.
“Vaccines are safe, effective and free of charge in all government health facilities and outreach points,” she said.
She also commended key partners supporting Uganda’s immunization drive, including UNICEF, World Health Organization, PATH and Clinton Health Access Initiative.
Health officials believe the new investment could be a turning point in Uganda’s fight to reach every child with life-saving vaccines—no matter how far they live from a health facility. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
