Posted On Monday, 27th July 2026The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has called for the establishment of basic malaria testing laboratories in school sick bays and dispensaries to enable early detection and treatment of the disease among learners.Tayebwa made the appeal while flagging off the annual Malaria Walk on Sunday, 26 July 2026, an event that began at Parliament and moved through the streets of Kampala to raise awareness about the fight against malaria.He said having simple testing facilities within schools would help identify malaria cases at an early stage and reduce preventable deaths among pupils. He noted that delayed diagnosis remains one of the major challenges in controlling the impact of the disease.
The Deputy Speaker reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to supporting malaria prevention efforts through increased advocacy, awareness campaigns, and budgetary support aimed at strengthening Uganda’s healthcare system.“We have continued to champion increased investment in the fight against malaria through advocacy, awareness campaigns, and stronger support for our health facilities,” Tayebwa said, adding that such efforts have contributed to increased funding for recruiting more health workers.Tayebwa, who led Members of Parliament, diplomats, civil society representatives, and school children during the walk, said eliminating malaria requires collective action from every Ugandan because the disease continues to affect vulnerable groups, especially children and pregnant women.
He warned that climate change is expected to make malaria control more challenging, calling for stronger measures, innovation, and continued investment in prevention and treatment programmes.The Deputy Speaker also welcomed Uganda’s progress in producing its own malaria rapid diagnostic test kits, saying local production will reduce reliance on imported supplies and strengthen the country’s ability to respond effectively to malaria outbreaks.
