President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Gavi CEO Dr. Sania Nishtar held a high-level meeting at State Lodge, Nakasero, to address challenges in child immunisation and advance Uganda’s public health efforts. The session, which included representatives from UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Uganda’s health ministry, also marked the launch of the world’s largest malaria vaccination program.
The visit by Dr. Nishtar coincided with Uganda’s 50th anniversary of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). President Museveni applauded Gavi’s contributions, highlighting how donor support has freed government resources for critical infrastructure projects. “Without international support, we would have to reallocate funds from other projects like roads. Your support has allowed us to direct resources elsewhere,” he said.
President Museveni emphasized the role of immunisation, safe water, hygiene, and proper waste management in improving public health. He also urged district health officials to conduct regular nutrition education to address the rise of non-communicable diseases, which account for 7% of annual deaths. “Uganda has abundant food, but people need guidance on making proper dietary choices,” he noted.
Dr. Nishtar praised Uganda’s public health achievements, citing its high life expectancy and effective management of disease outbreaks. She highlighted the country’s strong performance in deploying vaccines and announced the African Regional Vaccination Accelerator, a Gavi-led initiative aimed at strengthening routine immunisation and boosting Africa’s health resilience. “Gavi has allocated $1.2 billion to ensure Africa’s vaccine supply chain is prepared for future health emergencies,” she revealed.
As Uganda gears up for its groundbreaking malaria vaccination program, Dr. Nishtar lauded the initiative as a game-changer in tackling one of the region’s deadliest diseases. She also called for stakeholder collaboration to address emerging health threats such as MPOX.
The meeting featured key officials, including Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Minister of Health; Hon. Anifa Kawooya Bangirana, Minister of State for Health (General Duties); and Dr. Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, alongside UNICEF and WHO representatives.
The discussions underscored Uganda’s commitment to strengthening its healthcare system through innovative partnerships and proactive measures.
