Kampala, Uganda | 22 October 2026


The Government of Uganda has reaffirmed its support for the continental leadership of H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and African Union Champion for Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health, commending her efforts to accelerate progress for women, newborns, children and adolescents across Africa.


Uganda underscored that tackling malaria remains central to achieving Africa’s maternal and child health ambitions, particularly because of the disproportionate burden the disease places on pregnant women and young children.


The commitment was highlighted during a meeting in Kampala between Tanzania’s delegation and Hon. Anifa Bangirana, Uganda’s Minister of State for Health, as the two countries exchanged experiences and lessons on malaria prevention, control and elimination.


Hon. Bangirana emphasized the close connection between malaria control and improved maternal and child health outcomes. She noted that malaria during pregnancy and early childhood contributes to preventable illness and deaths, making sustained malaria interventions an important part of protecting mothers and children.


Uganda is working towards eliminating malaria by 2030 through its national strategy and initiatives including the Busoga Malaria Eradication Programme (BMEP), which brings together government, communities and partners to strengthen malaria prevention, testing and treatment.


Uganda’s 2024/25 Malaria Indicator Survey demonstrates important progress in malaria prevention among pregnant women. The proportion receiving at least three doses of preventive malaria treatment increased from 41% in 2018/19 to 73% in 2024/25. However, malaria prevalence among children aged 6–59 months increased from 10% to 13% over the same period, underscoring the need to intensify collective action.


Speaking on behalf of Tanzania’s delegation, Dr. Sunday Dominico, Deputy Head of the Secretariat of the AU Champion for Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health, highlighted President Samia’s call for Africa to accelerate progress towards the Three Zeros by 2030:


Zero home deliveries.

Zero preventable maternal and child deaths.

Zero unvaccinated children.


“President Samia’s vision is for Africa to reach the Three Zeros by 2030. Ending malaria, particularly among pregnant women and children, is therefore an important part of protecting mothers and children and advancing this continental ambition,” Dr. Dominico said.


The delegation also engaged with Dr. Specioza Wandira Kazibwe, former Vice President of Uganda and Senior Presidential Adviser on Population and Health, who is leading malaria elimination efforts in the Busoga region.


Dr. Kazibwe highlighted encouraging findings from the Busoga pilot, including an 88.7% reduction in Anopheles mosquito density and a decline in malaria cases detected at health facilities from 90% to 10%. She invited Tanzania and other partners to visit Busoga and learn from the programme’s implementation experience.


Accompanied by H.E. Major General Marco Gaguti, Tanzania’s Ambassador to Uganda, the Tanzanian delegation subsequently visited communities in Iganga District, Busoga Region, to observe how communities are being mobilised and engaged through BMEP to strengthen malaria prevention and interrupt transmission.


The exchange reflects the importance of African-led solutions, South–South learning and stronger cross-border collaboration in accelerating progress towards malaria elimination and better health outcomes for women and children.


Under President Samia’s AU Champion mandate, the Three Zeros provide a clear call to action: translating continental commitments into measurable results in communities and ensuring that every woman and every child has the opportunity to survive and thrive.


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