By Aggrey Twesigye
www.mkneslink.com
In Mbarara—
Mbarara City has launched a five-day measles-rubella vaccination campaign targeting 47,000 children aged nine to 59 months as Uganda intensifies efforts to contain outbreaks reported in several parts of the country.
The campaign, running from October 1 to 5, 2026, will be conducted through schools, health facilities and community outreach posts across the city.
Speaking during the launch at Mbarara Municipal School, Deputy City Clerk Simon Ejua said the exercise had started in schools and would later extend to other designated vaccination points to make the services easily accessible to children.
Ejua urged parents to participate actively in the campaign and cooperate with health workers to ensure that all eligible children are vaccinated.
Loyce Ahuumuza, the campaign’s national supervisor for Mbarara City, said the first two days would focus on schools before the exercise extends to other areas.
Ahuumuza emphasized that the vaccine is safe and free of charge, adding that all children vaccinated during the campaign would receive immunisation cards.
Meanwhile, Mbarara City Education Officer Gerald Nkurikyimana said the city had undertaken adequate mobilization to ensure the campaign reaches its target.
Nkurikyimana warned that children who miss the vaccination exercise could face restrictions on accessing schools in the future.
Launching the campaign, Mbarara city Assistant Resident City Commissioner Polly Katwiire Karamuzi cautioned schools against refusing to participate in the exercise, warning that those that defy the directive risk arrest.