The Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa calls for minimum testing laboratories in school sick bays and dispensaries as a first line detection for malaria.
Tayebwa made the call while flagging off the annual Malaria Walk on Sunday, 26 July 2026. The walk started at Parliament and went through the streets of Kampala.
He said the installation of these basic laboratories will help to detect malaria early and prevent deaths like have happened recently in schools.
He reiterated Parliament's commitment to fighting malaria through continued budget and advocacy support.
“We have continued to champion increased investment in the fight against malaria through advocacy, awareness campaigns, and stronger support for our health facilities,” he said adding that, ‘I am encouraged that these efforts have contributed to additional funding for recruiting more health workers, thereby strengthening our capacity to respond to and prevent diseases’.
The Deputy Speaker added that the malaria walk is a call to action with the aim of letting all Ugandans understand that ending malaria is everyone's responsibility.
“No one plans to contract malaria, yet it continues to claim lives every day, particularly among young children and pregnant women, while placing an enormous burden on families and our health system,” Tayebwa added.
Tayebwa who led Members of Parliament, civil society actors, diplomats and pupils from several schools said that scientists have issued warnings that climate change will make the fight against malaria more complex calling for more efforts in its fight.
“It is equally encouraging to see Uganda now producing its own malaria rapid diagnostic test kits which reduces our dependence on imports and strengthens our local capacity to fight the disease,” he said.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
