KAMPALA, Uganda – Uganda is escalating its efforts to contain the Mpox outbreak, with a concentrated focus on the Kampala Metropolitan Area, the epicenter of the nation’s infections, according to the Ministry of Health.
A Jan. 21, 2025, report from the ministry revealed 1,433 of Uganda’s 2,115 cumulative Mpox cases are within the metropolitan area since the first case was identified Aug. 19, 2025. The national death toll stands at 10.
Of the metropolitan cases, 948 are in Kampala district, 428 in Wakiso and 57 in Mukono. Nationally, 74 of Uganda’s 146 districts have confirmed cases, representing 51% of the country.
Dr. Buluma Denis Mike, District Medical Officer for Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Rubaga Division, addressed a training session for ‘Abatongole ba Kabaka,’ representatives from 133 Buganda Kingdom villages, at Pope Paul Memorial in Rubaga Division. The session, organized by the Ministry of Health (MOH), KCCA and UNICEF Uganda, highlighted the severity of the outbreak.
“Kampala has the highest number of Mpox confirmed cases across the five divisions,” Dr. Buluma said. “Kawempe has 455, Makindye has 201, Rubaga 122, Nakawa 97 and Central 73 cases.”
Dr. Buluma emphasized that pregnant mothers, children under 5 and individuals with compromised immune systems, including those with HIV/AIDS, diabetes and cancer, are at the highest risk. He warned that an infected individual could spread the virus to up to 30 people due to the 21-day incubation period.
“Within Kampala Metropolitan Area, sexual intercourse remains the leading cause of the spread of Mpox,” Dr. Buluma said. “I call upon all Ugandans to revive hand washing, sanitizing and vigilance to identify skin rashes, sore throats, fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes and general body weakness.”
Ssalongo Ddungu Zikuza, Speaker of Rubaga Division – Buganda Kingdom, thanked the MOH, KCCA and UNICEF Uganda for the training, which will enable the ‘Abatongole ba Kabaka’ to educate their communities.
Dr. Buluma explained Mpox transmission occurs through contact with infected persons, contaminated materials, infected pregnant mothers, shaking hands, sexual intercourse, inhaling contaminated particles and contact with infected animals. He urged the public to protect themselves through hand washing, avoiding close contact, not sharing personal items, avoiding contact with wild animals and obtaining vaccines for close contacts. He added that early treatment can lead to recovery within two weeks.
Community sensitization trainings are ongoing, targeting high-risk groups such as business owners, public transport workers, market vendors, timber traders and sex workers, using the ‘Safe Circles’ campaign. The campaign encourages protective behaviors to prevent Mpox from entering social circles.
Vaccine Arrival
Uganda received 10,000 doses of the MVA-BN vaccine, donated by the European Commission through its Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA). The vaccines arrived at Entebbe Airport on Jan. 21, 2025.
Laurent Muschel, Head of HERA, emphasized the importance of global solidarity.
“We made a commitment to address the Mpox outbreak in close cooperation with our partners,” Muschel said. “The 10,000 vaccine doses from HERA will help Uganda to tackle this deadly disease. We cannot fight these health threats alone; solidarity between continents is essential.”
The donation is part of a larger Team Europe initiative pledging over 605,000 vaccine doses to Africa CDC. To date, 135,500 vaccines have been delivered by EU member states, including Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Portugal.
“These actions reflect the European Commission and Team Europe’s dedication to strengthening preparedness and response capacities for current and future health emergencies,” Muschel said.
Uganda’s Ministry of Health welcomed the support, highlighting the vaccines’ role in protecting vulnerable populations.
Raw Milk Concerns
Food and nutrition experts have since warned against consuming raw milk, citing health risks and adulteration. Cleophus Atwijukire, a nutritionist in Mbarara City, noted concerns about weight gain from unskimmed raw milk.
Stephen Ayikiriza, a specialist with SNV TIDE, warned of adulteration, and Sydney Mark Wamala, quality assurance manager at Lakeside Dairies, emphasized the importance of processed milk.
Uganda’s per capita milk consumption is 63 liters, below the World Health Organization’s recommended 200 liters. Experts advocate for increased local consumption.
