Kabale District to Roll Out Larviciding Campaign Ahead of Rainy Season in Fight Against Malaria

By Alex Byakatonda

 

Communications Officer, Kabale

 

Kabale District is set to begin targeted larviciding operations in malaria-prone areas as part of an integrated vector control strategy to reduce malaria transmission in the region. This was revealed during an advocacy meeting held yesterday in the District Health Officer’s boardroom, bringing together health officials, local leaders, and representatives from the Ministry of Health.

 

The initiative is part of Uganda’s broader Larval Source Management (LSM) strategy and will involve applying biological agents to mosquito breeding sites to eliminate larvae before they develop into adult mosquitoes capable of spreading malaria.

 

Boaz Abomujuni, an entomologist in the Ministry of Health’s Vector Control Division, said the larviciding activities are scheduled to take place in November, coinciding with the onset of the rainy season. He noted that larviciding will be used as a supplementary control measure to existing interventions such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS).

 

“Larviciding is especially useful in areas like Kabale where breeding sites are concentrated and easy to locate. It helps prevent mosquitoes from reaching adulthood, thereby reducing malaria transmission,” Abomujuni explained.

 

Despite past efforts to curb malaria through the distribution of ITNs, local leaders expressed concern over misuse and repurposing of the nets by some community members.

 

The Principal Assistant Secretary for Kabale District emphasized that while the government has invested in preventive tools, community misuse undermines public health goals. “It’s unfortunate that some people use mosquito nets for fishing or gardening. This puts the entire community at risk,” she said.

 

Dr. Gilbert Arineitwe Mateeka, the Kabale District Health Officer, stressed the importance of preparing before the rains begin. He noted that Kabale first piloted larviciding in 2020 in Butanda Sub-county, an area with persistent malaria cases, and the intervention yielded positive results.

 

“The goal is to act early and kill mosquitoes at the larval stage. This proactive approach is key to protecting our population,” Dr. Mateeka added.

 

While Kabale District reports a malaria prevalence of less than 5%, the disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality across Uganda—especially among children under five and pregnant women.

 

According to the Ministry of Health, Uganda accounts for 5.1% of global malaria cases, ranking third worldwide. The country also has the highest proportion of malaria cases in East and Southern Africa, accounting for 23% of the regional burden. Malaria contributes to 30–50% of all outpatient consultations nationally.

 

Larviciding, while not a stand-alone solution, is considered an effective complementary strategy in urban and peri-urban areas where mosquito breeding sites are “few, fixed, and findable.”

 

As the rainy season approaches, health officials are urging community members to support the initiative by identifying breeding sites and avoiding practices that encourage mosquito proliferation.

 

END