Kampala, Uganda | In response to a recent deworming-drug error in Ntungamo District that affected over 100 pupils, Uganda’s Ministry of Health has rolled out instructional job aids worth Shs 360 million to strengthen vaccination and medicine administration across the country. The initiative is part of efforts to ensure safe, accurate, and efficient immunisation campaigns and to rebuild public trust in mass-drug administration programmes.
The distribution of the materials began on 12 November 2025, under the Saving Lives and Livelihoods Phase II programme. The job aids provide clear, step-by-step guidance to frontline health workers, covering key aspects such as vaccine storage, preparation, administration, dosage verification, record-keeping, and post-vaccination monitoring. Officials said the aids are designed to minimize human error and standardize immunisation procedures across districts.
Dr Alfred Driwale, Commissioner of Health Services, emphasized the importance of the initiative in restoring confidence among the public following the Ntungamo incident.
“We acknowledge the public concern after the incident at Kajumbajumba Primary School. These job aids will guide vaccinators through each step, ensuring that every child receives the correct medication safely,” he said.
Health-sector partners also highlighted the role of the job aids in supporting health workers in remote and high-risk districts, where supervision can be limited. Dr Patrick Kagurusi of Amref Health Africa Uganda stated:
“The recent errors underscore the need for simplified, accessible tools for health workers. These job aids will help translate technical guidelines into practical steps that can be followed even in low-resource settings.”
Distribution will be prioritized for districts with high disease burden and refugee-hosting areas, using the National Medical Stores as the central supply point. Health officials plan to combine the aids with training sessions and enhanced supervisory support, aiming to reduce errors, improve vaccination coverage, and strengthen routine immunisation outcomes.
The rollout comes after dozens of pupils at Kajumbajumba Primary School in Ntungamo reportedly received the wrong deworming drug, resulting in hospitalisation and public concern over medication safety in school-based health programmes. Authorities have reassured communities that the new measures will prevent similar mistakes in the future.
Officials also said the job aids form part of a broader strategy to improve Uganda’s primary healthcare systems, emphasizing prevention, accountability, and quality service delivery. With these tools, the Ministry of Health hopes to ensure that nationwide immunisation campaigns are conducted safely, effectively, and with minimal risk to children.