Over 150 cultural clan leaders of Lango attended an orientation session on the malaria vaccine and routine immunization in Lira City.
Dr. Alex Ario Otema, Director of the Uganda National Institute of Public Health, opened the conference on behalf of Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng.
He thanked the clan leaders for their strong turn up for the orientation at Lira City Council Hall on Wednesday, June 9.
Dr. Ario emphasized that clan leaders were selected as key public figures in their communities. He noted their critical role in supporting the Ministry’s efforts to sustain local engagement and promote awareness of the malaria vaccine and routine immunization.
Speaking to the media, Rukia Nakamatte, Behavior Change Communication Specialist at the Ministry of Health, stated: “We trained Lango clan leaders to act as government advocates, educating their communities about the malaria vaccine and routine immunization.”
Nakamatte highlighted Uganda’s malaria burden: “We lose over 16 people to malaria daily, 10 of whom are children under five. I appeal to all parents to prioritize malaria vaccination and routine immunization for their children to help eliminate malaria in our country.”
Samson Ongebo, a Biostatistician with Apac District Local Government, presented Ministry of Health data showing persistently low participation since the government launched the malaria vaccine and routine immunization on 2 April 2025.
Ongebo revealed that nationwide turnout remains at 25%, with stark disparities across Lango. Oyam district ranks lowest (<50%), while Lira City, Lira district, and Apac score ~80%.
Other districts — Dokolo, Amolatar, Kole, Kwania, Otuke, and Alebtong — range between 60% and 70%. He urged mothers to vaccinate children under five (four doses required) and emphasized facility-based deliveries to reduce risks for mothers and newborns.
Ongebo shared facility delivery rates: Lira city (96.2%), Oyam (73.2%), Amolatar (71.2%), Otuke (61.7%), Apac (62.8%), Dokolo (62%), Kole (57.7%), Kwania (61.6%), Alebtong (57.3%), and Lira district (42.2%).
The Prime Minister of the Lango Cultural Foundation, and clan leader of Inomo, Frederick Ogwal Oyee, urged leaders to collaborate with the media to address low participation in districts undervaluing the immunization program.
Lira City Council Mayor Sam Atul, while closing the training urges clan leaders to unite themselves and do the needful work has people listen to there voice’s
Leaders pledged to mobilize communities through cultural channels, aligning with national health goals.
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