Published By BHF | July 9, 2025
A Bold, Community-Led Initiative to End Malaria for Good
“Malaria Must Go!” This is the rallying cry of the people of Busoga, Uganda, a region long burdened by one of the deadliest yet preventable diseases on the continent. The Busoga Malaria Eradication Program (BMEP), led by the Busoga Health Forum (BHF), is a groundbreaking, community-owned effort to eradicate malaria completely by 2028.
Why Malaria? Why Now?
Malaria is not just a health issue, it’s a driver of poverty, school absenteeism, maternal and child deaths, and stunted economic growth. In Busoga, malaria remains a top cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among children and pregnant women.
But this time, the community is not waiting for top-down solutions. They are leading the charge.
Our Vision
A Malaria-Free Busoga
Our Mission
To promote community-led, multisectoral, and sustainable interventions that will eradicate malaria in all 11 districts of the Busoga region.
Our Unique Approach
Unlike previous malaria control programs, BMEP introduces a bold, simultaneous 4-pronged strategy:
Mass Community Mobilization
– Mobilizing citizens, leaders, youth, and religious institutions to take ownership.
– Disseminating clear, culturally tailored messages through radio, drama, schools, churches, and local forums.
Mass Vector Spraying (MVS)
– Targeting both indoor and outdoor mosquito breeding areas in over 880,000 homesteads.
– Led by trained local youth with biannual re-spraying to break the transmission cycle.
Mass Testing and Treatment
– Providing rapid diagnostic tests (MRDT) and prophylactic treatment (DHA-PQ) to over 4 million people.
– Engaging Village Health Teams (VHTs), Community Health Workers, and local leaders for wide-scale, trusted outreach.
Research, Surveillance, and Learning
– Monitoring trends, treatment effectiveness, mosquito behavior, and drug resistance.
– In partnership with Makerere University and other institutions for real-time data, evaluations, and global knowledge sharing.
Expected Outcomes
- Dramatic reduction in malaria cases and deaths.
- Improved household productivity and school attendance.
- Reduced out-of-pocket spending on malaria treatment.
- Empowered communities with capacity to sustain gains beyond the project lifespan.
- Global learning model for other high-burden regions.
Our Funding Need
To implement this program, BMEP requires UGX 154 billion (approx. USD 41 million). These resources will cover:
- Insecticides and spray equipment
- Diagnostic test kits and antimalarial medication
- Community training and mobilization
- Real-time data systems and research activities
- Monitoring, evaluation, and sustainability platforms
The first year is capital intensive to initiate spraying, testing, and treatment in all targeted areas simultaneously. Subsequent years will scale sustainability and reduce costs.
Why Support Us?
Locally owned: The people of Busoga are co-funding and volunteering to make this work.
Innovative and replicable: Our model is designed for scaling to other malaria-endemic regions.
Government-aligned: Fully aligned with Uganda’s National Development Plan III and Ministry of Health strategies.
Data-driven: Every action is monitored, evaluated, and documented to ensure accountability and impact.
