ALUR KINGDOM MINISTRY OF HEALTH STEPS UP MEASLES-RUBELLA MOBILISATION.

ALUR KINGDOM MINISTRY OF HEALTH STEPS UP MEASLES-RUBELLA MOBILISATION.

Health Ministry leads Kingdom-wide drive to protect children across Nebbi, Zombo, Pakwach and Alur communities in Uganda and the diaspora

By KUMAKECH SAM SOCIAL POLICY ANALYST-ZOMBO DISTRICT.

NEBBI — October 2026

The Alur Kingdom Ministry of Health, led by Minister of Health Dr. Amos Nyathirombo, has stepped up community mobilisation for Uganda's nationwide Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign.

The campaign targets about 7.9 million children aged 9–59 months across Uganda, with the Kingdom's mobilisation focusing on Nebbi, Zombo and Pakwach, as well as Alur communities elsewhere in Uganda and abroad.

The drive seeks to ensure that parents and caregivers have accurate information and that eligible children access vaccination through recognised health services.

Measles is among the world's most contagious diseases. Rubella can also cause serious complications, particularly when infection occurs during pregnancy.

Uganda confirmed 66 measles outbreaks in 2025, according to WHO. Of the confirmed cases, 64 percent had never received a measles vaccine dose, highlighting continuing immunity gaps.

Uganda introduced the measles-rubella vaccine into routine immunisation in 2019 and added a second dose in 2022. WHO identifies about 95 percent two-dose coverage as necessary to prevent sustained measles transmission.

The Kingdom's Ministry of Health is working to bring the vaccination message closer to families.

Traditional and religious leaders, local authorities, health workers, teachers, youth and women's groups are being encouraged to support accurate health communication and direct families to vaccination services.

The 2024 Uganda National Population and Housing Census recorded approximately:

Nebbi — 297,885 people.

Zombo — 311,646 people.

Pakwach — 206,053 people.

Together, the three districts have a population of more than 815,000 people.

The figures underline the scale of the communities requiring sustained preventive-health services. They are not, however, the Measles-Rubella campaign target, which specifically covers children aged 9–59 months.

In Nebbi, mobilisation is focused on strengthening childhood immunisation, early healthcare-seeking and health awareness.

In Zombo, the emphasis includes reaching rural and hard-to-reach families through community leadership and health workers.

In Pakwach, the Kingdom is encouraging families to use recognised vaccination points while maintaining routine childhood immunisation.

The mobilisation extends beyond the Kingdom's traditional areas.

Alur families living in Kampala, Wakiso, Arua, Gulu, Lira, Jinja, Mbarara,Masindi,Hoima and other parts of Uganda, as well as those living abroad, are encouraged to support the health message.

Parents and guardians should ensure that eligible children access vaccination through recognised health services wherever they reside.

The diaspora can also help by sharing verified health information with relatives and communities at home.

A CULTURE OF PREVENTION.

The Ministry of Health is using the campaign to promote wider preventive healthcare.

Families are encouraged to:

• Keep children up to date with routine vaccinations;
• Take eligible children for Measles-Rubella vaccination;
• Seek qualified medical care when children become ill;
• Rely on official health authorities for vaccination information; and
• Promote hygiene, sanitation, nutrition and maternal and child health.

The Alur Kingdom's mobilisation complements Uganda's national health response and strengthens cooperation between government, health workers, cultural leaders, communities and development partners.

The message from the Kingdom is clear: protecting children is a shared responsibility.

From Nebbi, Zombo and Pakwach to Alur communities across Uganda and the diaspora, the call is for informed participation and continued commitment to preventive healthcare.

EVERY ELIGIBLE CHILD REACHED. EVERY FAMILY INFORMED. EVERY COMMUNITY PROTECTED.

Alur Kingdom Ministry of Health