The Busoga Health Forum, held at Source of the Nile Hotel in Jinja, urged both political and religious leaders to use their positions to combat Cervical Cancer and Malaria in the region.
The forum was coordinated by Owek Kifuba Ngabo Michael, who advised mothers to take preventive measures against Malaria. These include sleeping under mosquito nets, draining stagnant water, clearing bushes around the home, and ensuring babies receive immunizations. He emphasized that “prevention is better than cure,” and highlighted an upcoming initiative that will be launched in April 2025.
Owek Michael also called on religious leaders across the Busoga sub-region to leverage their influence to spread health messages to their congregations. He pointed out that people often trust and follow what they hear in church, making it an effective platform to remind believers about the importance of staying healthy.
He further highlighted the importance of full immunization for children, as incomplete vaccinations leave them vulnerable to preventable diseases. He encouraged the region to take up this initiative to reduce childhood mortality in Busoga.
Rev. Fr. Gonzaga Richard Kayaga urged mothers to take responsibility for their families’ health, as a healthy family can freely praise God. He reminded them not to forget traditional remedies like “Mululuza” or “Lubilizi,” herbs used by their ancestors to treat sick children.
He also emphasized the importance of using local resources, including herbs, forests, and water sources, to preserve them for future generations.
From a political perspective, Ms. Silina Kyakuwaile, Deputy Speaker of Jinja City, shared the challenges of reaching people in urban areas where residents are often at work during the day. She suggested that health workers should visit workplaces, markets, and taxi parks to share health information and advice. She also recommended extending outreach efforts to after-hours, when people are more likely to be at home.
Ms. Kyakuwaile assured the forum of support from Jinja City Local Government, including increasing the budget for the city’s health department to ensure information and services reach everyone. She also urged the forum to focus on underserved areas like Masese, Walukuba, and Bugembe, where birth rates are high and health services are needed most.
She thanked the Village Health Teams (VHTs) for their hard work in fighting diseases such as Malaria, COVID-19, and polio in Jinja City. She also encouraged fellow leaders to visit the ground and ensure that taxpayer-funded services are delivered effectively to the people.
Ms. Kyakuwaile emphasized the importance of changing public perceptions of immunization, citing instances where parents have hidden their children to avoid vaccination. She gave an example of a parent who nearly burned down a school because his daughter was vaccinated against COVID-19. She reminded everyone that health campaigns should not be politicized, as diseases like Malaria and Cervical Cancer do not ask about political party affiliations.
Dr. Catherine Maiteki shared alarming statistics, revealing that Uganda ranks third globally for the highest rates of Malaria. She reminded the people of Busoga that they are key players in the fight against Malaria and other health threats.
She also discussed the importance of vaccinating young girls against Cervical Cancer. If not vaccinated, this cancer can lead to death and infertility. However, if vaccinated, the body can fight the virus that causes Cervical Cancer.
Dr. Moses Kyangwa, Executive Director of the Busoga Health Forum, thanked everyone for their support in improving health statistics and reducing death rates in the region. He encouraged individuals to take personal responsibility for their health by practicing preventive measures against life-threatening diseases. He reminded the forum that curing diseases can be costly and risky.
He concluded by expressing gratitude to religious leaders, especially Rev. Fr. Gonzaga Richard Kayaga, and political leaders like Ms. Silina Kyakuwaile for their support in spreading the message of a Malaria-free Busoga. The cooperation between religious, political, and health leaders, he said, will help improve health outcomes in the region.
