Uganda Receives 1,000 Litres of Biolarvicide from Tanzania to Combat Malaria

Uganda has received a donation of 1,000 litres of biolarvicide from the United Republic of Tanzania, aimed at enhancing efforts to combat malaria and other vector-borne diseases in the country.

The handover took place on Tuesday, 8th April 2025, at the Ministry of Health headquarters, with Vice President Jessica Alupo receiving the consignment on behalf of the Ugandan government.

In her address, Vice President Alupo acknowledged the persistent health challenges faced by Ugandans, particularly the financial and socio-economic burdens caused by diseases such as malaria, lymphatic filariasis, and yellow fever.

She emphasized the importance of innovative approaches to vector control, such as the use of biolarvicide, which targets mosquito larvae before they mature and spread disease.

“Mosquitoes transmit not only malaria but also diseases like lymphatic filariasis, yellow fever, and the Zika virus,” Vice President Alupo said.

“Controlling mosquito populations will reduce malaria as well as other public health threats.”

Uganda continues to grapple with a high malaria burden, with children under five years and pregnant women being particularly vulnerable.

The Vice President also praised the government’s recent introduction of the malaria vaccine, which is now part of the national immunization program, and urged Ugandans to embrace the vaccine as part of the ongoing efforts to reduce malaria-related deaths.

The biolarvicide donation follows a meeting between Alupo and the President of Zanzibar, Hussein Ali Mwinyi, at the G77 + China summit in Cuba in 2023.

Alupo also noted that the Ministry of Health has incorporated Larval Source Management, including larviciding, as a key component of Uganda’s national malaria control strategy.

She encouraged local governments to apply modern methods to address complex malaria breeding sites effectively.

The donation, made possible through the efforts of Tanzanian President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, comes at a crucial time, as Uganda faces a high burden of malaria and neglected tropical diseases, including bilharzia, trachoma, and sleeping sickness.

Dr. Aceng Jane Ruth Ocero, the Minister of Health, expressed her deep gratitude for the contribution and highlighted the importance of such partnerships in strengthening the nation’s disease prevention strategies.

“In Uganda, the warm climate and abundant water bodies provide ideal conditions for vectors that spread deadly diseases. This generous donation from Tanzania strengthens our efforts in reducing the malaria burden, which remains one of the highest globally,” said Dr. Aceng.

Malaria remains a critical public health challenge for Uganda, with the World Malaria Report 2023 ranking the country as the third-highest contributor to global malaria cases.

Despite the country’s extensive malaria control measures, including the recent introduction of the malaria vaccine, more comprehensive approaches are needed to eliminate the disease.

The biolarvicides will support Uganda’s ongoing larviciding efforts in high-risk districts, where they will be used to target mosquito larvae before they mature and transmit diseases.

These efforts complement other malaria control strategies, such as the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets and indoor residual spraying.

The Minister of Health also reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to achieving malaria and neglected tropical disease elimination by 2030, as part of the broader Vision 2040 for socio-economic transformation.

This article was originally published in NilePost