19 November 2021 · Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy

The Review of the National Leprosy Programme of Uganda

The Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL) conducted its country review of the National Leprosy Programme of Uganda in October. The review was requested by Uganda’s National Leprosy Programme, headed by Dr. Rose Kengonzi and Assistant Commissioner Dr. Stavia Turyahabwe. The objective of the country review was to take stock of the programme’s current status and define key priorities for the future following the Zero Leprosy Country Model.

The GPZL Secretariat provided remote support due to COVID-19 precautions and travel restrictions. National experts and Uganda’s Ministry of Health partnered with an external review team consisting of Dr. Deusdedit Kamara from Tanzania, Dr. Christa Kasang from Germany, and Dr. Benedict Quao from the GPZL Leadership Team.

The review team travelled across the country to assess leprosy control activities in each of the country’s four regions, including the sub-regions of West Nile, Lango, and Busoga. They met with providers and people who have experienced leprosy to collect district-level data. They recorded progress made by the programme and identified gaps to be filled.

The reviewers then met with other leprosy community stakeholders in Kampala to review the data and develop a high-level roadmap to zero leprosy for Uganda. This national Zero Leprosy Roadmap aligns with the WHO Road Map for Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021 – 2030 and outlines strategies to meet milestones leading up to 2030. The roadmap will be presented to the Ministry of Health for approval and adoption. GPZL is excited to continue this important work toward ending leprosy in Uganda alongside the country’s National Leprosy Programme.

Following the review, Dr. Stavia Turyahabwe spoke with the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) about the country’s commitment to ending leprosy.

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