The Ugandan government has ramped up Mpox vaccination efforts, targeting high-risk areas in Kampala, as the outbreak continues to spread. So far, 9,031 people, including commercial sex workers, have been vaccinated in Kawempe and Makindye divisions according to information from the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Henry Kyobe Bbosa, the Incident Commander at the Ministry of Health, said the outbreak, which began in July 2024, has transitioned from sporadic cases in rural areas to sustained transmission in Kampala.
“It was the activities of commercial sex workers that seeded the outbreak in parts of Kampala Metropolitan Areas, specifically Kawempe and Lubaga divisions,” Kyobe said.
The government has recorded 3,310 cumulative Mpox cases, 23 deaths, and 2,369 recoveries across 82 districts and eight cities. Authorities have launched a 42-day follow-up and mop-up activities in high-risk regions to curb further spread.
Since the outbreak, transmission has escalated, with a micro-outbreak in Nakasongola fueling infections among fishing communities in Lwampanga Sub County and Town Council. Health officials identified a super-spreading event in Lwampanga linked to transactional sexual activities.
Vaccination efforts have targeted areas with high transmission rates, including Kawala, Bwaise, Nabweru, and Kabalagala. In Kawempe Division, vaccinations have been carried out in villages such as Kawempe I, Kawempe II, Bwaise II, Bwaise III, and Basement. Makindye Division villages, including Kabalagala, Wabigalo, Nsambya Central, Kibuye II, and Makindye I, have also received vaccines.
Kyobe said intensified surveillance, risk communication, and targeted interventions are crucial in containing the outbreak. The Ministry of Health, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, continues to strengthen response efforts, including disease surveillance, testing, and clinical care.
