Health Ministry confirms measles outbreak in Kyegegwa
“All cases are being reviewed by the health team and are now being managed at their respective homes,” he said.
Kyegegwa: The Ministry of Health has confirmed a measles outbreak in Kyegegwa District, with one death reported, raising concern among health officials over gaps in immunization coverage.
According to authorities, five out of six samples submitted to the Uganda Virus Research Institute tested positive for measles on March 20, 2026, confirming the outbreak.
While addressing a district health task force meeting chaired by the Resident District Commissioner on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the District Health Officer, Dr. Richard Mulumba, said the first alert was raised on March 16, 2026.
A Village Health Team (VHT) member from Kiruhura LC I, Ruhangiire Parish, Rwentuha Sub-county reported several children exhibiting symptoms such as persistent cough, high fever, skin rash and red eyes. The cases were reported to Ruhangiire Health Centre II, prompting investigations.
Dr. Mulumba said all identified cases are currently being managed from their homes under close supervision by health workers. “All cases are being reviewed by the health team and are now being managed at their respective homes,” he said.
He added that investigations revealed gaps in immunization among the affected children including two children had not been immunized while four had received only one dose.
Health authorities have outlined measures to control the outbreak, including: strengthening routine immunization for children under five, designating isolation units at Mpara Health Centre IV and Kyegegwa District General Hospital and intensifying community sensitization on vaccination.
The Resident District Commissioner, Col. Alex Bright Nzirimu, who also chairs the district task force, attributed the outbreak to reluctance among some parents to vaccinate their children.
He urged the public to comply with the Uganda Immunization Act 2017, which makes vaccination mandatory for children, women of reproductive age (15–49), and other target groups against immunizable diseases.
Health officials are calling on parents and guardians to ensure their children complete the full immunization schedule to prevent further spread of the disease.
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