Free mosquito nets in Uganda

Every home in Uganda is set to receive free mosquito nets, according to the government.

Efforts are being stepped up to stop the spread of malaria in the country, with insecticide-treated malaria nets being distributed from the beginning of September.

James Kakooza, the state minister for primary health care, stated that the government will import 17.4 million mosquito nets, New Vision reports.

"Whether they use the nets or not, they should be put up in the house," he said, adding that if mosquito nets can make the difference in other countries then "we can also do it here in Uganda. It is just a matter of time".

Children and pregnant mothers will be prioritised in the distribution programme, but all Ugandans will eventually receive nets.

In addition, indoor spraying of DDT has been approved to kill mosquitoes, which could further reduce the threat of malaria.

In the last three years, there have already been six million mosquito nets distributed to Ugandans. However, malaria is still the number one killer in Uganda.

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