Uganda is contending with an escalating public health emergency as the mpox outbreak continues to spread, with over 5,400 confirmed cases and 40 deaths reported since the initial alert nine months ago.
Health authorities are sounding the alarm as hospital admissions indicate rising severity, particularly in urban centres and fishing communities such as Mbarara, Kampala, and lakeside districts like Buvuma and Kalangala. The burden is heaviest among young adults, especially those aged 25 to 29, who now make up the most affected demographic.
In response, the Ugandan government, supported by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, has ramped up containment efforts. A second phase of vaccinations is underway, targeting those between 25 and 35 years old—deemed most at risk due to mobility and social interaction patterns. Surveillance has also been scaled up, alongside public awareness campaigns designed to curb misinformation and promote early detection. The challenge, however, remains immense as the country now holds the unenviable position of reporting the highest number of community-transmitted mpox cases globally.
While vaccines and improved case management offer a glimmer of hope, officials caution that Uganda is still far from turning the tide. The virus, spread through close physical contact, continues to exploit gaps in public health access, particularly in under-resourced and densely populated areas. With the World Health Organization closely monitoring the situation, Uganda’s handling of this outbreak may become a case study in regional resilience—or a cautionary tale of what happens when emerging diseases outpace the systems designed to contain them.