Newly crowned Tooro King Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I has launched the kingdom’s participation in a five-day national measles-rubella vaccination campaign, making his first public appearance involving a health programme just two days after his coronation.
The king launched the campaign on Thursday, October 1, at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal City, where he joined health officials in administering vaccines to children.
The campaign, running from October 1 to 5, targets children aged nine months to five years across Uganda.
Nyabongo, who was crowned on September 29 following the death of his predecessor, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, urged parents and guardians in Tooro to ensure eligible children receive the vaccine.
He said the kingdom would work with the government to mobilise communities and ensure children are reached by the vaccination programme.
The king also called on the media to help publicise the campaign and provide communities with information about vaccination services.
Fort Portal City Health Officer Dr Emma Mugisa said the campaign targets children aged nine months to below five years, including those who had previously received the measles-rubella vaccine.
She said children who had already been vaccinated would receive an additional dose as a booster.
The vaccination exercise is free of charge, with health workers deployed through health facilities, schools and community outreach points.
Mugisa said measles outbreaks continue to affect parts of Uganda. According to figures she cited from the Ministry of Health, 68 districts experienced measles outbreaks in 2025, while 28 districts had confirmed outbreaks by the time of the 2026 campaign launch. More than 10,000 measles cases and 60 deaths were recorded in 2025, she said.
Fort Portal has trained more than 90 health workers to support the campaign, according to Mugisa.
Fort Portal Resident City Commissioner Asumin Nasike warned health workers against charging parents for the vaccines, saying the government-funded exercise is free.
The campaign is part of a nationwide Ministry of Health programme running from October 1 to 5. Health authorities have urged parents and caregivers to take children aged nine months to five years to designated vaccination points during the campaign period.
Nyabongo’s participation comes days after his installation as the new Omukama of Tooro. His accession followed the death of Oyo on August 27, 2026, aged 34.
Nyabongo, formerly known as Prince Edward Kijanangoma, is a former journalist and broadcaster who worked with Uganda Broadcasting Corporation before his accession to the throne.
His coronation followed a succession process led by the Babiito ruling clan, although the choice has been contested by Queen Mother Best Kemigisa, who has said that Oyo had a son whose identity would be revealed.
The vaccination campaign thus becomes one of Nyabongo’s first public engagements since taking the throne, placing public health among the early activities associated with his new reign.
