The Ministry of Health has announced a nationwide Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign targeting all children aged between 9 and 59 months as Uganda intensifies efforts to prevent recurring outbreaks of the disease.

The five-day campaign is scheduled to take place from October 1 to October 5, 2026, and will cover children across the country.

The campaign was announced during a high-level stakeholder sensitisation meeting held at Kabira Country Club in Kampala and officiated by Minister of State for Primary Health Care, Dr Charles Ayume.

Dr Ayume urged political leaders, health workers, parents and communities to support the exercise by encouraging all eligible children to receive the vaccine.

He said proper communication will be important in ensuring that parents understand the dangers associated with measles and rubella, including possible long-term health complications.

“Immunisation is the biggest public health intervention that we will ever try and achieve as a country,” Ayume said.

The minister warned that Uganda must continue protecting the gains made through vaccination programmes to prevent avoidable disease outbreaks.

He also raised concerns over challenges affecting immunisation financing, saying funding gaps could affect routine vaccination activities in the country.

According to Jimmy Ameny, Gavi Grants Coordinator at the Uganda National Expanded Programme on Immunisation (UNEPI), Uganda’s immunisation financing support has reduced significantly.

Adeny said Uganda’s Gavi financing allocation has reduced from approximately US$74.9 million to US$51.9 million, representing a reduction of more than 40 percent.

He explained that the country requires increased investment to maintain strong immunisation programmes and protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.

An investment analysis estimates that Uganda needs about US$642 million over five years, translating to approximately US$128 million annually, to adequately support immunisation activities.

Officials warned that reduced external support could create more pressure on government and families to cover vaccination-related costs.

Dr Rita Atugonza, Deputy Programme Manager at UNEPI, said Uganda has made progress in first-dose measles vaccination coverage, which currently stands at about 95 percent.

However, she noted that second-dose coverage remains lower at about 64 percent, leaving many children vulnerable to outbreaks.

Atugonza revealed that 66 districts were declared measles outbreak areas in 2025 due to continued cases of the disease.

She said many children affected by measles had never received a vaccine despite vaccines being available through government health facilities.

The official attributed continued outbreaks to limited community awareness, weak health education, poor surveillance and challenges in reaching communities during vaccination campaigns.

The upcoming campaign will use fixed vaccination points instead of door-to-door vaccination, with district health teams identifying suitable locations where eligible children can access the services.

Health officials assured parents that children who may have previously received a measles vaccine will not face danger from receiving another dose during the campaign.

The exercise will involve health workers, community mobilisers and data teams to ensure proper vaccination records are maintained.

Districts that fail to achieve the required 95 percent vaccination coverage will receive additional follow-up activities to reach more children.

Dr Ayume also called for innovative approaches to make healthcare services more accessible, including establishing health facilities within major markets.

He said some women traders spend long hours at markets and may struggle to take their children to distant health facilities for vaccination.

The minister suggested that small clinics within markets could provide immunisation services alongside basic healthcare and disease screening.

The Ministry of Health said approximately 1.8 million children are born in Uganda every year, making routine vaccination essential in protecting the population from preventable diseases.

The national launch of the Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign will take place in Wakiso District, with stakeholders urging parents and communities to ensure that every eligible child receives the vaccine.