Kabale-Kabale District is set to implement a targeted larviciding campaign in high-risk areas this November, as part of a renewed push to combat malaria through an integrated vector control strategy.
The initiative was announced during an advocacy meeting held yesterday at the District Health Officer’s boardroom, attended by health officials, district leaders, and representatives from the Ministry of Health.
The operation forms part of Uganda’s Larval Source Management (LSM) strategy and aims to curb malaria by applying biological agents to mosquito breeding sites eliminating larvae before they grow into adult mosquitoes capable of transmitting the disease.
Speaking at the meeting, Boaz Abomujuni, an entomologist from the Ministry of Health’s Vector Control Division, said the larviciding exercise will coincide with the onset of the rainy season in November, a period associated with increased mosquito activity.
“Larviciding is particularly effective in areas like Kabale, where mosquito breeding sites are concentrated and easy to identify,” Abomujuni noted. “By targeting mosquitoes at the larval stage, we can drastically reduce malaria transmission.”
He emphasized that larviciding would supplement existing interventions, such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) tools that have long formed the backbone of Uganda’s anti-malaria campaign.
Despite continued efforts to distribute mosquito nets, local leaders raised concerns about misuse by community members. Reports indicate that some residents have been using nets for non-medical purposes such as fishing and gardening.
The Principal Assistant Secretary for Kabale District condemned the practice, warning that it undermines the government’s public health investment.
“It’s unfortunate that some people misuse mosquito nets. This puts the entire community at greater risk of infection,” she stated.
Dr. Gilbert Arineitwe Mateeka, the Kabale District Health Officer, underscored the importance of acting early. He noted that Kabale District first piloted larviciding in 2020 in Butanda Sub-county, an area with a high malaria burden, and recorded positive outcomes.
“The goal is to act before the mosquitoes mature. We’ve seen that a proactive approach leads to meaningful results,” Dr. Mateeka said.
While Kabale currently reports a malaria prevalence below 5%, health officials remain cautious, noting that malaria continues to be one of Uganda’s leading causes of morbidity and mortality, particularly among children under five and pregnant women.
According to the Ministry of Health, Uganda contributes 5.1% of global malaria cases, ranking third worldwide. It also carries the highest malaria burden in East and Southern Africa, accounting for 23% of the region’s cases. Nationally, malaria is responsible for 30–50% of all outpatient consultations.
Larviciding is especially recommended in urban and peri-urban areas where breeding sites are “few, fixed, and findable” making it a cost-effective complement to other interventions.
As Kabale gears up for this new phase in malaria prevention, officials are urging community members to play an active role by identifying potential breeding sites and avoiding behaviors that encourage mosquito proliferation.
“The success of this initiative depends not only on the chemicals we apply but also on the cooperation of the people we serve,” Abomujuni added.
The upcoming larviciding campaign marks a strategic step in Kabale’s continued effort to remain ahead of malaria transmission, with hopes that community engagement and timely action will safeguard public health during the rainy season and beyond.
