The Local Council III Chairperson of Pakwach Sub- County, Alfred Jawok

By: Regan Anywar Opio

Leaders in Pakwach District have warned communities against the misuse and destruction of insecticide-treated mosquito nets currently being distributed by the government, cautioning that offenders risk arrest and possible imprisonment.

The warning follows the recent arrest of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Chairperson for Vungandik Parish in Pakwach Sub- County, Alfred Ayika, who was allegedly found burning two mosquito nets.

The Local Council III Chairperson of Pakwach Sub- County, Alfred Jawok, popularly known as Dorombe, confirmed the incident. According to him, Ayika collected the mosquito nets from a designated distribution point, gathered them together, and openly set them ablaze at Akela Trading Centre. Dorombe said  no legitimate reason was provided for the act.

Dorombe condemned the incident, describing it as an act of vandalism and misuse of government resources. Working together with the Head of Security for Pakwach Sub- County, he led the operation that resulted in Ayika’s arrest. However, Ayika was later pardoned and released with a caution by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Pakwach District.

Dorombe emphasized that acts of misconduct and destruction of public property will not be tolerated. He called upon residents to cooperate with authorities and uphold responsibility in the use of government-provided resources.

The incident comes at a time when the government is intensifying nationwide efforts to distribute insecticide-treated mosquito nets as a key strategy in reducing malaria infections and deaths across the country.

Malaria remains one of Uganda’s leading causes of illness and death. The country’s entire population of approximately 45 million people is at risk, with an estimated 13 million cases reported annually. Acording to Uganda ministry of Health statistics, the disease accounts for up to 50 percent of outpatient visits and between 15 and 35 percent of hospital admissions. Children under the age of five and pregnant women remain the most vulnerable and severely affected groups.Leaders in Pakwach District have warned communities against the misuse and destruction of insecticide-treated mosquito nets currently being distributed by the government, cautioning that offenders risk arrest and possible imprisonment.

The warning follows the recent arrest of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Chairperson for Vungandik Parish in Pakwach Sub- County, Alfred Ayika, who was allegedly found burning two mosquito nets.

The Local Council III Chairperson of Pakwach Sub- County, Alfred Jawok, popularly known as Dorombe, confirmed the incident. According to him, Ayika collected the mosquito nets from a designated distribution point, gathered them together, and openly set them ablaze at Akela Trading Centre. Dorombe said  no legitimate reason was provided for the act.

Dorombe condemned the incident, describing it as an act of vandalism and misuse of government resources. Working together with the Head of Security for Pakwach Sub- County, he led the operation that resulted in Ayika’s arrest. However, Ayika was later pardoned and released with a caution by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Pakwach District.

Dorombe emphasized that acts of misconduct and destruction of public property will not be tolerated. He called upon residents to cooperate with authorities and uphold responsibility in the use of government-provided resources.

The incident comes at a time when the government is intensifying nationwide efforts to distribute insecticide-treated mosquito nets as a key strategy in reducing malaria infections and deaths across the country.

Malaria remains one of Uganda’s leading causes of illness and death. The country’s entire population of approximately 45 million people is at risk, with an estimated 13 million cases reported annually. Acording to Uganda ministry of Health statistics, the disease accounts for up to 50 percent of outpatient visits and between 15 and 35 percent of hospital admissions. Children under the age of five and pregnant women remain the most vulnerable and severely affected groups

.The incident comes at a time when the government is intensifying national wide efforts to distribute insecticide treated mosquito nets as a key strategy in reducing malaria infections and deaths across the country.