The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has officially launched the Uganda Malaria Indicator Survey (UMIS) Report 2024/25, highlighting both progress and ongoing challenges in the country’s fight against malaria. The report was unveiled during an event held at the Statistics House Conference Hall in Kampala on Thursday, March 12, 2026. The launch brought together government officials, health experts, development partners and members of the media to review the findings and discuss the way forward.
While speaking at the event, the Chairman of the UBOS Board of Directors, Albert Byamugisha, said the survey is an important national tool that provides reliable data to guide malaria prevention and control efforts across the country. He explained that the information collected helps policymakers understand the real situation on the ground and design programs that can effectively reduce the impact of malaria, especially among vulnerable groups such as children under five years and pregnant women.
Dr. Byamugisha noted that malaria remains one of the leading public health challenges in Uganda despite years of interventions. According to him, the disease continues to account for a large number of hospital visits and admissions in many parts of the country. He emphasized that accurate statistics are critical in helping the government and partners monitor progress and make informed decisions to protect the health of Ugandans.
During the launch, the Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (Planning), Amos Lugoloobi, was recognized for supporting the national statistical system and strengthening evidence-based planning in the country. The UBOS leadership appreciated the government’s continued commitment to financing statistical programs that help guide national development policies.
Dr. Byamugisha also highlighted the role of the survey in monitoring Uganda’s progress toward the global development agenda. He explained that under the Sustainable Development Goals, countries are expected to track several indicators related to health and development. Uganda has already reported a large portion of these indicators, demonstrating the country’s commitment to improving health monitoring and accountability.
The UBOS board chairman further stressed that reliable statistics are essential in guiding malaria prevention strategies, tracking national and international targets, allocating resources effectively and improving service delivery in the health sector. He added that the data generated from the survey will help both government and development partners strengthen malaria control programs and ensure that interventions reach communities that need them the most.
He commended the teams from the Ministry of Health Uganda and development partners for their collaboration in successfully conducting the survey. According to him, such partnerships are vital for producing credible and high-quality data that can support Uganda’s development agenda.
Dr. Byamugisha concluded by reminding stakeholders that the true value of statistics lies not only in collecting them but also in using them effectively. He urged policymakers, researchers and health experts to use the findings of the Malaria Indicator Survey to strengthen malaria control strategies and improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Uganda.
The launch of the report marks another step in Uganda’s efforts to rely on evidence and data to address major public health challenges and move closer toward eliminating malaria as a threat to communities across the country.
