“We must act with urgency and we must act together,” said Peter Sands, the Global Fund executive Director in a speech that concluded his two-day visit to Uganda, which is one of the implementing countries of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Earlier on, Mr Sands paid a courtesy call to President Museveni at State House Entebbe where was joined among others by Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng and the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mr. Matia Kasaija   

Speaking in the eastern Uganda district of Kibuku on May 3, Mr Sands said getting rid of Malaria will among others lead to huge economic benefits and reduce the burden on health care givers among others. “It isn’t just about money but it requires leadership to get rid of Malaria and I want to acknowledge the Ministry of Health for their leadership in this effort,” he said. He added that the Global Fund is committed to fighting Malaria in Uganda and it remains a vital partner in this fight. Mr Sands also visited also visited the Central Public Health Laboratory in Butabika and the National Medical Stores in Kajjansi, on the outskirts of Kampala.

Speaking at the same event, Uganda Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon Thomas Tayebwa reiterated the need to act with urgency by saying that Uganda’s new strategy against Malaria should move from prevention to eradication. “Every Ugandan who is dying of Malaria should be hurting us. So, Hon. Minister of Health please work on a strategy for eradication of Malaria and we shall support it,” he said.

Mr Tayebwa thanked Global Fund for its partnership with Uganda in the fight against Malaria and he challenged Ugandans to be committed to the fight. “If our friends are committed then we should do even more, he said

In reference to the local malaria fight related industries, Mr Tayebwa said, “with these local industries that are coming up I’m looking forward to the day when we don’t have to import anything for Malaria.” He urged the Global Fund to support the local malalria related industry and innovations.

Earlier, in a related event, as part of the advocacy and public awareness activities organised in the run-up to the World Malaria Day, the Uganda Malaria Walk was held on 20 April.

The walk was convened by the Parliament of Uganda in partnership with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders, such as Malaria Consortium.

Led by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, and the Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, the walk symbolised a united front against malaria. It also served as a platform for advocacy and mobilisation, rallying stakeholders — especially the government — to commit to innovative health financing and domestic resource allocation for to tackle malaria.

In March 2024, the Ministers of Health of High Burden High Impact (HBHI) countries in Africa, including Uganda, made a declaration and commitment that “no one shall die from malaria”. One of the key pillars of this renewed commitment is the bolstering of domestic resources to bridge the funding gaps in malaria control efforts.

Hon. Thomas Tayebwa pledged the commitment of Parliament to support these efforts, stating, “The fight against malaria is not just a matter of public health; it is a matter of national urgency. Our commitment is unwavering, and we pledge to mobilise all necessary resources to eradicate this disease from Uganda.”

Minister Aceng commended Parliament for promoting and investing in malaria prevention, particularly in light of funding cuts for malaria control and prevention. “It is time for Uganda to mobilise its own domestic resources to end malaria. We are re-strategizing and re-focusing all our resources,” she said.