The Buganda government through the Kabaka Foundation started the initiative of testing and vaccinating against Hepatitis B in 2017. Many people have often turned up for the program including the Ministers in the Buganda government, Princes and Princesses of Buganda, and all other people from Buganda led by the Katikiro Charles Peter Mayiga.
Today, the Katikiro of Buganda although having already been vaccinated against the disease, visited officials carrying out the program in the gardens of Bulange Mengo. During the event, the Katikiro stated how Buganda is striving hard to take a step in restoring the socio-economic status of the kingdom and that it requires healthy people to achieve this. He said “before achieving the desired socio-economic status, the most important requirement here is the people who are healthy and can understand their responsibility towards restoring the socio-economic status of Buganda and to develop further.
It is on that note that the Kabaka through the Kabaka Foundation headed by Kaggwa Ndagala of the Njazza clan together with the Ministry of Health is carrying out this program which is aimed at testing and vaccinating against Hepatitis B, a killer disease which is more dangerous than HIV/AIDS.”
The Katikiro further emphasized that people should take serious caution on health matters, for example, to regularly test and vaccinate against all killer diseases. He further said "I was also vaccinated and I completed the dosage. Therefore parents, you should take your children for vaccination against all these diseases, provide good feeding to them. When we are healthy, the road to restoring the socio-economic status of Buganda will be smooth."
The Buganda Minister in charge of the social development of the people of Buganda who is also responsible for the health, education, child development, women, children, and Nnaabagereka Affairs, Dr. Prosperous Nankindu Kavuma thanked the Kabaka for the initiative because of its importance to the development of the country. She said “We fronted two major objectives; first is to be tested for all the diseases that can be tested in time and the second is to provide the right vaccination. Therefore, today we thank the Kabaka for the right course of action he has undertaken to help people know how the health statuses are.”
The Second Deputy Katikiro who is also the Secretary of Buganda, Robert Wagwansibirwa, was among those that were vaccinated today. He revealed that he has been conducting research on the disease and realized that he had been reluctant in relation to his life. He said “I have started the vaccination today and I am remaining with two injections to complete the dosage. So many times, we tend to ignore certain practices. We are usually told to wash hands after visiting the toilets, we need to test for some diseases, but often times people ignore such calls. So when someone falls sick, that is when that person realizes that it was important to follow what doctors recommend. In this case, it has taken me a short time; in 3 minutes I have been tested and vaccinated.” He encouraged all the people present to go and get tested and vaccinated against Hepatitis B before the situation becomes too complicated to handle.
Some of the people that were tested expressed their appreciation towards the Kabaka for caring much about their health. One said “I have come from Kamengo and I am Ssempijja Paul. This is my second time to get the vaccination. I used to hear radio announcements that it would be good for one to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B. From then, I decided to participate and this is my second time. I have also come with my wife as the Katikiro has explained to us implying that it is very good for both spouses to get tested and vaccinated.”
Another said “I am here to participate, I already brought my children to be vaccinated. Therefore, I call upon all people even from my village where I reside to come and participate in this program. We saw that it was vital for one to get tested and be vaccinated through this Kabaka’s initiative at very affordable fees.”
The Hepatitis B disease affects the liver and it damages it vigorously until the victim dies. The way the disease is spread is similar to that of HIV/AIDS which includes contact through sexual activity, blood transfusion, sweat (Though HIV is not spreads through sweat unless mixed with blood) among others. Therefore, everyone is encouraged to turn up for the program. Tomorrow, the Kabaka Foundation together with the Kabaka’s hospital in Bukalango will still conduct the exercise in the gardens of the Bulange Mengo.