Rubanda District Receives 147,300 Mosquito Nets to Boost Malaria Prevention
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‎Story by Kobugabe Joanita-communication officer Rubanda
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‎Rubanda District has officially received 147,300 mosquito nets from the National Medical Stores (NMS) through the Ministry of Health to strengthen efforts to curb the spread of malaria across the district.
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‎The mosquito nets will be distributed to households across all 70 parishes of Rubanda District as part of the Ministry of Health's nationwide malaria prevention campaign.
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‎Speaking during the handover ceremony held on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, at the Rubanda District Health Office, the District Malaria Programme Focal Person, Grace Turyakira, said the Ministry of Health conducts a nationwide mosquito net distribution exercise every three years. He explained that the allocation is based on the guideline of one mosquito net for every two people in a household.
‎Turyakira noted that the previous mass distribution exercise was conducted in 2023.
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‎Representing the Ministry of Health, Abirahmin Kananathan said the handover marks the beginning of a series of activities, including training the District Health Team and Village Health Teams (VHTs), registering all beneficiary households, and the eventual distribution of the mosquito nets.
‎She appealed to district leaders and community members to cooperate throughout the exercise to ensure its success.
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‎The Vice Chairperson of Rubanda District, Ms. Kesafari Prossy, commended the Government of Uganda for its continued commitment to improving the health and well-being of its citizens through such interventions.
‎She noted that Rubanda District's current population stands at 249,454, representing a 26.7 percent increase from the 196,896 residents recorded during the 2014 National Population and Housing Census. She said the mosquito net distribution campaign comes at a timely moment, given the district's growing population.
‎Ms. Kesafari urged all stakeholders involved in the distribution exercise to ensure the mosquito nets are distributed fairly and transparently, without discrimination. She also called upon beneficiaries to use the mosquito nets properly to help reduce the spread of malaria in the district.
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‎The Rubanda Assistant Resident District Commissioner, Mr. Hillary Bindeba, urged the National Medical Stores and district officials to ensure the mosquito nets are properly handled and stored at the parish level. However, he requested that the distribution be carried out as quickly as possible, noting that many parishes have inadequate storage facilities.
‎Mr. Bindeba also cautioned those overseeing the exercise against failing to pay the casual labourers engaged to transport the bales of mosquito nets, emphasizing the importance of treating all workers fairly during the campaign.