To combat the measles outbreak, the two districts of Katakwi and Kapelebyong have intensified campaigns, with officials revealing plans to vaccinate approximately 63,913 children against the disease.

The upcoming measles-rubella mass immunization exercise has been strengthened in Katakwi and Kapelebyong, and preparations have begun with various activities such as coordination meetings with different stakeholders, technical teams, religious leaders, and health workers briefing on the upcoming activity.

The exercise has been intensified in Katakwi district alone, with several meetings held to promote the upcoming measles and rubella disease immunization scheduled for October 1st-5th, 2026, with the district aiming to vaccinate approximately 39,913 children across the 20 sub-counties.

Rapheal Ojakal, the secretary of education, health, and social services, stated that the district has begun health education campaigns, illness coordination meetings, and meetings with VHTs and health workers to ensure the exercise's success. Meanwhile, the Kapelebyong district health department has set a target of vaccinating approximately 24,000 children against measles and rubella.

Emmanuel Opio, communication officer for Kapelebyong District Local Government, stated that the district is expected to dispatch at least 23 teams with various roles to meet at least the 24,000 children targeted for measles and rubella vaccinations.

The authorities of the two districts have implored the parents to support the measles and rubella mass immunization exercise, which requires all children aged zero to five years to be immunized.

Measles is caused by the measles virus (genus Morbillivirus), which is an airborne disease that spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes, or talks, but also after the individual with measles has left the room; airborne droplets can stay there for up to two hours.

The upcoming measles and rubella disease immunization is scheduled for 1st–5th October 2026.