Nabweru Schools Shut as Parents Resist Measles-Rubella Vaccination

What the report says

Three schools in Nabweru, in Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District, have been temporarily closed after a dispute over consent for measles-rubella vaccination, according to Nile Post. The affected schools are Light Islamic Nursery and Primary School, Skylight Junior School and Nabweru Community Nursery and Islamic Primary School. Health officials said the closures will remain in place until eligible pupils are vaccinated and can show vaccination certificates.

The shutdown comes as Uganda is carrying out a five-day nationwide measles-rubella follow-up campaign from October 1 to October 5. The exercise targets children aged nine months to 59 months and is being offered free of charge at health facilities, schools, markets and community outreach points. The campaign is meant to improve protection against measles and rubella and address gaps in routine immunisation coverage.

Nansana Division health workers said they visited the schools to conduct vaccinations but could not proceed because school authorities and some parents did not allow the exercise. Officials also warned against misinformation and interference that could undermine the campaign. School leaders said they generally support immunisation, but some parents had not granted permission or had fears about the vaccine.

More broadly, Uganda has faced recurring measles outbreaks and public health officials have been trying to raise uptake of the two-dose measles-rubella schedule. The Nabweru case highlights the challenge of balancing school-based vaccination drives with parental consent and communication, especially during a short national campaign.