HIGHLIGHTS
- As of December 31, Uganda reported 1,353 confirmed mpox cases across 66 districts, with six deaths. Among those affected were 328 children below 18 years, mostly in Kampala (93), Wakiso (70), and Nakasongola (22), with 10–18 years the most affected age group, accounting for 180 cases.
- The disease’s doubling time was calculated at 13.49 days. By December 31, 123 cases remained under treatment and 862 individuals had recovered. Key affected groups include roadside vendors, sex workers, transport workers, housewives, and fishermen.
- UNICEF and its partners through intensified public awareness campaigns under the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) pillar have reached 7.33 million people with life- saving information. This included 5.89 million individuals engaged through multimedia campaign.
- The UNICEF “Text Safe” initiative reached 20,407 participants,, highlighting growing community engagement in promoting safer communication practices.
- UNICEF distributed 216 handwashing units to 56 healthcare facilities across 15 districts, benefiting 10,800 people. Additionally, 112 boxes of Aqua tabs were provided to these facilities ensuring access to safe drinking water for 19,911 people for three months.
- UNICEF provided Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials and personal protective equipment (PPE) in Mukono and Adjumani, targeting schools, health facilities, and hotspot areas. In Kagadi district, medical supplies such as IV fluids, gloves, and disinfectants were provided to fill gaps in isolation units1.
- As of mid-December, WHO, UNICEF, and the Ministry of Health (MoH) shared a detailed vaccine rollout plan, indicating readiness to initiate vaccination activities in the country
SITUATION IN NUMBERS
4,498 Total suspected cases
1,353 Total confirmed cases
328 Children under 18 among the confirmed cases
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION OF MPOX IN UGANDA
The mpox outbreak in Uganda has seen a significant rise since the first case was confirmed. As of 31 December 2024, a total of 1,353 confirmed cases had been reported across 66 districts, with active admissions in 55 districts and six cumulative deaths - three of which occurred in December. Since the onset of the outbreak, 328 children aged 0-18 years (157 females and 171 males) have been affected.
In December, districts like Kampala (708 cases), Wakiso (214 cases), and Nakasongola (77 cases) remained high-burden areas with the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) accounting for 71 percent of the total caseload. Newly affected districts included Kaliro, Lyantonde, and Bududa. Demographically, males constituted 58 percent of the cases, while individuals aged 19–39 years represent 63 percent of all cases. Community transmission hotspots continued to emerge, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and targeted interventions.
The trajectory of the outbreak reveals a steady upward trend in cumulative cases, with the doubling time estimated at 13.49 days. Weekly case incidence fluctuated, with notable peaks indicating heightened transmission during specific periods. The trendline, alongside the four- week moving average, highlights persistent transmission.
The mpox outbreak has disproportionately impacted specific occupational groups and vulnerable populations, highlighting the complex dynamics of transmission. Among the most affected are roadside vendors, shop attendants, and salon workers, accounting for 69 reported cases. These individuals often operate in high-traffic areas, engaging with large numbers of people daily, increasing their exposure risk and highlighting the role of public interaction in virus transmission.
Sex workers, with 39 reported cases, represented one of the most vulnerable groups, with 30.8 percent attributing their exposure to sexual contact. This population faces compounded risks due to the nature of their work, limited access to preventive resources, and underlying social vulnerabilities.
Other affected populations included bartenders and bouncers (23 cases), boda-boda riders (20 cases), and transport workers such as taxi, bus, and truck drivers (19 cases). Their high mobility and frequent interactions with diverse populations elevated their risk of exposure. Additionally, housewives (15 cases) and those engaged in fishing activities (14 cases) highlight the diverse transmission pathways, extending into domestic and community settings.
The data vividly portrays mpox’s impact across both formal and informal sectors, with occupations involving high mobility and interaction being disproportionately affected. These findings call for targeted public health interventions, community engagement, and tailored messaging to reduce exposure risks within these groups, while emphasizing equitable access to resources and care for the most vulnerable.
Mpox in School- Going Population
A total of 328 confirmed mpox cases were reported across various districts, with a nearly equal distribution between females (157 cases) and males (171 cases). The data indicates that the age group 10–18 years was the most affected, accounting for 180 cases (54.9%) of the total cases. The age groups 0–4 years and 5–9 years contributed 81 cases (24.7%) and 67 cases (20.4%), respectively. This trend underscores the heightened vulnerability of adolescents to mpox transmission within their communities, likely linked to their increased mobility and social interactions after the school year closed in December 2024. There is a likelihood that mpox infection among students will increase resulting in a high risk of school transmission when schools officially re-open on February 3rd, 2025.
The geographic spread of cases underscored Kampala as the epicenter, with 93 confirmed cases (28.4% of the total). Within Kampala, the burden was evenly distributed between males (48 cases) and females (45 cases), with the 10–18 years age group being most affected. Other high-burden districts included Wakiso 70 cases (21.3%), Nakasongola - 22 cases (6.7%), and Mayuge 18 cases (5.5%).