Omukama Edward Rukiidi Nyabongo I has used his first public engagement since his coronation to rally parents in Tooro to have their children vaccinated against measles and rubella.
The newly sworn-in king made his first official public appearance on Thursday at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal City, where he launched the Tooro leg of the nationwide five-day vaccination campaign targeting children aged nine months to five years.
Accompanied by Queen Rebecca Amoding, Nyabongo urged parents and caregivers to embrace the campaign and ensure that all eligible children are vaccinated, saying healthy children are important for healthy families, the kingdom and the country.
Nyabongo thanked the Ministry of Health for organising the campaign and pledged that Tooro Kingdom would work with the ministry to support similar health programmes in the kingdom. He also asked the government to consider organising free immunisation campaigns targeting adults.
The five-day campaign began on Thursday and will run until October 5, targeting children aged nine months to five years across the country. Dr Emmanuel Mugisa, the Fort Portal City Health Officer, said Uganda recorded more than 10,000 measles cases in 2025, with 60 children dying from the disease.
He said 28 districts reported measles outbreaks last year, while more than 20 districts have already reported outbreaks since the beginning of 2026. According to Mugisa, the outbreaks are a sign of low immunisation coverage and low immunity among children. He explained that the campaign will provide a booster dose to children aged nine months to five years, including those who have already received measles vaccination through the routine immunisation programme. He added that vaccination will be conducted at all government health centres and other designated vaccination points, including primary schools, places of worship and villages.
Charles Kamurasi, the head of the Tooro royal clan, thanked Nyabongo for agreeing to begin his official duties with a health campaign aimed at protecting children. He called on parents to take their children for vaccination and support government efforts to improve immunisation coverage.
Asumin Nasike, the Fort Portal City Resident City Commissioner, warned health workers against charging parents for the vaccine, saying it is provided by the government free of charge. She also urged parents and caregivers to take children for vaccination during the campaign to reduce the spread of measles and protect children from preventable illness.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects children. Common signs and symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a red skin rash that spreads across the body-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
