Kabale District has launched a mobilisation effort ahead of the national Measles-Rubella immunisation campaign. The campaign aims to vaccinate 47,794 children aged between nine and 59 months. The five-day exercise will run from October 1 to 5, 2026. Health authorities seek to strengthen children's immunity against measles and rubella and reduce the risk of outbreaks.
During a sensitisation meeting for district councillors at the District Rukiko Hall, Kabale District Health Officer Dr Gilbert Arineitwe Mateeka outlined the campaign strategy. Health workers and Village Health Team members will move through schools, communities, and places of worship to reach eligible children. The teams will visit schools on October 1 and 2, before extending the exercise to communities over the weekend.
On October 5, the teams will return to schools and selected communities to vaccinate children who may have been missed. Dr Mateeka urged parents and caregivers to ensure that all eligible children receive the vaccine. The campaign aims to strengthen protection against measles and rubella. Although Kabale has not recorded any measles or rubella cases, neighbouring districts have registered an increase in measles cases over the past three years.
Dr Mateeka noted that Kabale is at risk due to the highly contagious nature of the disease. He clarified that children who previously received measles and rubella vaccines through routine immunisation should participate in the campaign. The additional dose is intended to boost their immunity and strengthen protection against the diseases.
Kabale District Chief Administrative Officer Robert Mugabe urged district councillors to take an active role in mobilising communities to embrace the campaign. Mugabe described councillors as key change agents and encouraged them to use churches, burial ceremonies, and other community gatherings to sensitise residents about the importance of immunisation.
Deputy Resident District Commissioner Michael Muramira Kyakashari also urged residents to support the campaign. He described measles as a highly contagious disease that can affect people beyond the targeted age group. Kyakashari further asked the District Health Department to divide the district into manageable zones to improve coordination, coverage, and the achievement of the immunisation target.
The campaign is a collaborative effort between health workers, Village Health Team members, and district authorities. With the mobilisation effort underway, residents are expected to turn out in large numbers to support the vaccination campaign. The exercise aims to protect children from measles and rubella, two highly contagious diseases that can have serious health consequences if left unchecked.
Key points
- The campaign targets 47,794 children aged 9-59 months in Kabale District.
- The five-day exercise runs from October 1-5, 2026.
- The campaign aims to strengthen children's immunity against measles and rubella.
