By Patriot corps
In a historic move to tackle the alarming surge in malaria cases, Pilgrim Africa has launched an Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) initiative specifically designed to target malaria transmission in schools during holidays in Amuria District, Eastern Uganda. The program, dubbed the “School Protect Program,” is a strategic intervention aimed at filling a long-standing gap in malaria prevention among school-going children aged 6 to 14 years.
According to Dr. Godfrey Opio, the District Health Officer of Amuria, the district has been chosen for this program due to its high malaria burden. “We have never had an IRS intervention here before,” Dr. Opio said at the launch event. “Our district has a population of about 251,000, and 40 percent of all patients who report to health facilities test positive for malaria. It’s overwhelming.”
The IRS initiative targets 75 primary schools in Amuria, with spraying taking place during school holidays to avoid disrupting learning. Dr. Opio emphasized that the aim is to break the cycle of transmission among school-aged children, who make up a significant part of the malaria burden in the region.
Dr. Aboke Yeka, a Board Member of Pilgrim Africa and senior researcher from Makerere University, highlighted the importance of the initiative as part of a broader life-course approach to malaria control. “This program is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the National Malaria Control Division, the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, and the leaders of Amuria District,” Dr. Yeka said.
Moses Emabu, the Amuria District Local Council Chairperson, described the IRS launch as a long-awaited solution to a crisis that has claimed many lives and complicated pregnancies in the district. “Malaria is not just a health issue. It has social and economic implications. Pregnant women have suffered miscarriages, and entire families have been destabilized by frequent illness,” Emabu stated.
Santa Okot, the Member 
of Parliament for Aruu County and chief guest at the launch, delivered a passionate call to action, framing the malaria fight as a national emergency. “The government of Uganda is very serious about eliminating malaria. Statistics show that this disease now kills more Ugandans than HIV or TB, especially children and pregnant mothers,” Hon. Okot remarked.
The IRS program is not only a health intervention but a social justice initiative aimed at ensuring that no child is left behind in the country’s battle against preventable diseases. By focusing on schools, the program addresses a critical blind spot in existing national efforts and serves as a model for similar interventions in other high-burden districts across Uganda.
Pilgrim Africa officials have assured stakeholders that all safety precautions will be strictly observed, and that the insecticides used are WHO-approved and safe for use in school environments. Dr. Opio confirmed that monitoring and evaluation frameworks are already in place to measure the program’s impact over time.
The launch of the IRS initiative marks a significant milestone in Amuria District’s fight against malaria. With the support of national and international partners, the district is poised to make significant strides in reducing the malaria burden and improving the health outcomes of its residents.
As Dr. Opio noted, “IRS is a game changer for us. For the first time, we feel like we are gaining ground in a fight we have been losing for too long.” The success of this program will not only benefit Amuria District but also serve as a model for other districts in Uganda and beyond.