By Harriet Nakamya
About 635 dogs and cats have been vaccinated today and 221 surgeries conducted ahead of tomorrow’s World Rabies Day celebrations in Luwero District.
The pre‑event activities were carried out in Wobulenzi, Kamila, and Busiika Town Councils, focusing on mass vaccination, castration, spaying and deworming, all aimed at boosting public awareness about the dangers of rabies.
Dr. Flavia Nakanjako, the National Focal Person for Rabies, noted that Ministry of Health data shows over 65,000 suspected rabies cases from 2022 to 2025, and 190 deaths, making an average of 47 cases annually.
She said in animals, 3770 suspected rabies cases were registered and 356 deaths in the same period.
Nakanjako emphasised that continuous community engagement is key because rabies is one of the most dangerous diseases and can re‑occur if not properly controlled.
Community Voices
Nabuufu Suzan from Wobulenzi thanked Government for the intervention, saying stray dogs had become a challenge but castration will help reduce their numbers.
Nabwami Samali, a vendor, appreciated the free vaccination drive, noting that private services are often too expensive. She encouraged fellow residents to bring their animals for free vaccination.
It should be noted that one rabid dog can bite and infect over 20 people in a short period of time,making the risk very high. It is over 10 times cheaper to vaccinate dogs than waiting to treat infected victims.
Luwero District was selected to host this year’s national celebrations following a request from the local leaders, citing the district’s high rabies burden.
