At this year’s World Malaria Day commemorations in Gulu City, Uganda’s Minister of Health, Honourable Jane Ruth Aceng delivered an inspiring message that set the tone for the day. She warmly thanked all donors, development partners, and government teams for their continued support despite serious global malaria financing challenges.
The Minister celebrated major achievements, proudly noting that Uganda has successfully reversed past malaria epidemics and introduced the malaria vaccine. She stressed that Uganda is no longer just controlling malaria but is firmly moving toward elimination.
She also emphasized the importance of new strategies like the Malaria Elimination Demonstration Zones and called for more innovation, better efficiency, and stronger collaboration even by involving skilled people outside formal employment to strengthen the national fight. Unlike the global theme, “Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” Uganda chose a clear and urgent message: “End Malaria Now.”
Against this backdrop, Pilgrim Africa raised a vital concern, while Uganda has made impressive progress in malaria control, schools, where 75% of Uganda’s population spends much of their time have remained an overlooked frontline.
Pilgrim Africa’s observations reveal troubling realities, congested dormitories, stacked decker beds, and open-air prep lessons during high-risk mosquito hours, expose thousands of students every day. These realities dent the efficacy of strategies such as use of mosquito nets as a tool in the malaria fight.
Recognizing this dangerous gap, Pilgrim Africa, in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH), initiated the School Malaria Project. According to the Pilgrim Africa’s programs coordinator Odude Wycliff, the Organisation hopes to protect 22,000 Children against malaria this year
Through a focused Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) campaign, schools in Soroti, Jinja, Serere, and Katakwi have already benefited, with upcoming activities planned for Amuria. The goal is ambitious but urgent, protect thousands of students and turn school environment (classrooms and dormitories) into safe, malaria-free havens for our future leaders.
Using Actellic 300CS, a WHO-approved, highly effective insecticide manufactured by Syngenta, Pilgrim Africa is bringing protection directly where it’s needed most into the heart of schools. But their work goes beyond spraying walls. Through student-led malaria ambassador programs involving poems, skits, and plays, they are cultivating a new generation of health champions who will carry the fight into their communities.
Pilgrim Africa’s mission fits perfectly with the call from the Minister of Health, to be bold, efficient, and resilient even when resources are tight.
Despite shrinking donor support, Pilgrim Africa’s efforts stand out as a beacon of hope and resilience. By focusing on schools, where Uganda’s future generations live and learn, they are proving that ending malaria must start in the places where dreams are shaped.
In the spirit of the national theme, “End Malaria Now,” Pilgrim Africa is doing more than just fighting a disease, they are safeguarding Uganda’s future, one child, one classroom, and one community at a time.
