Buganda Kingdom Pledges Partnership with Gov’t to Combat Deadly Diseases: Traditional Leaders Strengthen Collaboration to Fight Disease Outbreaks. Cultural Institutions Commit to Improving Pu
Traditional leaders from the Buganda, Tooro, Bunyoro-Kitara, and Rwenzururu kingdoms have pledged to work closely with the government to strengthen the fight against deadly disease outbreaks. The commitment was made at the close of a two-day training workshop, where participants discussed how cultural institutions can support disease prevention, improve public awareness, and reduce deaths from public health emergencies.
Uganda has over the years battled several disease outbreaks, including HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and COVID-19, which have claimed thousands of lives.
Health officials say many of these deaths have been linked to limited public awareness, misinformation, and cultural misconceptions, with some communities attributing diseases to witchcraft instead of seeking timely medical treatment.
To strengthen community response, the Buganda Kingdom, through the Nnaabagereka Development Foundation, has pledged to support government efforts in preventing and responding to disease outbreaks.
The commitment was reaffirmed during the closing of a two-day training workshop that brought together traditional leaders from the Buganda, Tooro, Bunyoro-Kitara, and Rwenzururu kingdoms.
Buganda's minister for health, Cotilda Nakate Kikomeko, said involving traditional leaders in public health campaigns will help save lives, reduce the cost of responding to disease outbreaks, and strengthen disease prevention efforts within communities.
The Executive Director of the Nnaabagereka Development Foundation, Andrew Adrian Mukiibi, said the foundation will continue equipping communities with knowledge and information to prevent infectious diseases before they spread.
Representing the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Robert Rukahimura Akiiki said the involvement of traditional leaders will improve public awareness and encourage communities to adopt preventive measures against disease outbreaks.
The workshop concluded with participants committing to work closely with government and put into practice the knowledge and strategies acquired to strengthen disease prevention and protect communities from future outbreaks.
