The campaign to distribute malaria mosquito nets across the country has so far seen 19 million nets delivered. “The real driving force is to build a mosquito net use culture.” With only more six districts left in the campaign that has lasted a year, Kampala has become the 111th district to receive the nets in a campaign that has mostly been embraced by women. “I have hanged the nets because we were instructed to do so to avoid skin rashes.” Said, Esther Namubiru – Resident, Kanyanya – Kampala. “I have been buying from the supermarkets, they are so expensive and now am getting for free it will help.” Said, Azida Katushabe – Resident, Ntinda – Kampala. “I have been using nets but when they are not treated.” Said, Jona Sonko – Resident, Kanyanya – Kampala.
Women with children are at least one of the highest numbers of people lining up to pick mosquito nets in a campaign where 27 million mosquito nets will be distributed nationwide. For Kampala, it will be 1.4 million mosquito nets. While many are happy, others say the number of mosquito nets they have received is less. “But the most important thing, what I was expecting is not what I have got. I was expecting 5, I have got 3 but it’s okay.” Said, Alice Zawedde – Resident, Kanyanya – Kampala. “The idea is two people one net. We are covering sleeping places so if they are nine they will get five.” Said, Dr. Jimmy Opigo – Program Manager, NMCP.
According to the Ministry of Health, 16 people die every day due to malaria infections. In an effort to reverse the people dying, Nakawa Division Mayor Ronald Balimwezo warned locals against misusing the nets. “In fact this was preplanned that majority of you, some of you are going to use them for making gowns and your kids’ party dresses, should we get you misusing these mosquito nets and making those gowns and so on we shall arrest you believe me including those that are ready to sell these mosquito nets.” Said, Ronald Balimwezo – Nakawa Division Mayor.
Although the campaign to distribute mosquito nets has largely been well received, in many parts of the city people who had registered for nets came to collection centers causing slight distractions in some places. “So the major challenge that we have met is people coming up to pick mosquito nets when actually they missed the registration.” Said, Jackie Kemigisha – Resident City Commissioner – Nakawa. “We are allowing that process to be handled by the LC I Chairpersons but not today on the main distribution day. We have asked them to start handling them on Monday and Tuesday.” Said, Dr. Henry Katamba – Official, Ministry of Health. DFID, USAID, Global Fund, AMF have invested 400 billion Ugandan shillings to finance the project which will see more similar projects to distribute nets for another three years to reduce the national malaria prevalence rate to at least 7% by 2020.
