Kyabazinga graces Ministry of Health conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo

What the report says

The Isebantu Kyabazinga of Busoga attended the Ministry of Health’s 4th Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Conference as a special guest representing Uganda’s kingdoms and cultural leaders, according to Watchdog Uganda. The event took place at Speke Resort Munyonyo and focused on using community structures to improve health promotion and disease prevention.

Watchdog Uganda reported that the conference highlighted the role of kingdoms, clan leaders and chiefs in reaching people at the grassroots. The Kyabazinga used his remarks to argue that cultural institutions can support community health work, and he pointed to kingdom-linked community safeguarding committees in Busoga as a possible resource for the health sector. He also discussed teenage pregnancy as a social and economic concern, urging cooperation to keep girls and boys in school and support youth livelihoods.

The report says the king drew attention to teenage pregnancy rates in Busoga and called for closer collaboration with the Ministry of Health, including through his chiefs, clan leaders and kingdom volunteers. Speakers at the conference emphasized strengthening village-level health systems, especially Village Health Teams and Community Health Extension Workers, through training, tools, supervision and funding.

Vice President Jessica Alupo and Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi were among those present. More broadly, the conference reflects Uganda’s continuing effort to push preventive health services closer to communities and to involve non-state actors, including traditional institutions, in public health outreach.