Health 9 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Nwoya Battles Rising TB and Leprosy Cases Amid Stigma and Infrastructure Woes
Nwoya district is facing surging tuberculosis and leprosy cases, with health efforts hampered by widespread stigma, discrimination, poor roads, and limited facilities. Authorities urge community sensitization and better logistics to meet Uganda's 2030 elimination targets. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/nwoya-struggles-to-manage-tb-leprosy-as-cases-surge-5417842
Health officials in Nwoya district are grappling with increasing tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy cases, registering 6 to 8 TB cases weekly and six leprosy cases yearly. Stigma and discrimination against suspected patients are major obstacles, deterring diagnosis and treatment.
In February, outreaches across 11 sub-counties and town councils screened 5,956 people, with 611 receiving X-rays, confirming 16 TB cases. Acting District Health Officer Dr. James Okello highlighted how stigma disrupts intervention strategies.
Limited health infrastructure and the district’s vast, hard-to-reach areas exacerbate the issue. Poor roads in sub-counties like Gotapwoyo and Lungulu force patients to travel up to 60km on bodabodas, costing Shs 60,000 to reach Anaka General Hospital, especially during rains.
Dr. Okello calls for improved transport, logistics, community education to cut stigma, and better follow-up for treatment completion. Nationally, Uganda sees about 99,000 TB cases yearly, with 9,900 deaths in 2025 alone, including multidrug-resistant strains.
The Health Ministry aims to eliminate TB and leprosy by 2030 via the CAST campaign, achieving over 90% treatment success. Dr. Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services, stresses early diagnosis, noting both diseases are preventable and curable.
Progress includes a 65% drop in leprosy cases from 581 in 2022 to 203 in 2025, supported by the Zero Leprosy Roadmap and a new TB/Leprosy Strategic Plan targeting 90% awareness and 95% preventive treatment coverage.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)