Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Benard Feni, founder and chief executive officer of Euro Gold Refinery Uganda Ltd, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Malaria Free Uganda, a national initiative supporting efforts to eliminate malaria as a public health threat.
The appointment, made by Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi, is for a three-year term running from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2029. It is renewable once, subject to the initiative’s Board Charter.
According to the appointment letter, Feni’s inclusion on the board recognises his leadership and professional experience, as well as the potential contribution of private-sector players to Uganda’s development priorities.
The board is expected to provide strategic oversight, mobilise domestic resources, strengthen advocacy and develop partnerships to support malaria prevention and control programmes. It will also oversee the initiative’s budgets, resource commitments and the performance of its secretariat.
Malaria Free Uganda was established to support the Ministry of Health by mobilising resources and coordinating private-sector participation in the national malaria response. Its work involves encouraging businesses, civil society organisations and community leaders to contribute to malaria prevention and control.
One of the initiative’s priorities is to establish an End Malaria Fund or foundation to bring together government officials, business leaders and community representatives to finance interventions under the national malaria strategic plan.
The proposed fund is intended to help address financing gaps, improve the availability of essential malaria commodities and strengthen accountability for commitments towards Uganda’s goal of eliminating malaria as a public health threat by 2030.
The initiative also seeks to encourage government ministries, departments and agencies to incorporate malaria interventions into their plans and budgets, extending prevention efforts beyond the health sector.
The appointment comes as Uganda continues to face a substantial malaria burden, with the disease affecting households, health facilities and the wider economy through treatment costs, lost working days and school absenteeism.
The World Health Organisation’s World Malaria Report 2025, which presents estimates for 2024, identified Uganda among five countries that together accounted for more than half of malaria cases worldwide. The other countries were the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Madagascar and Nigeria.
The report estimated 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths globally in 2024, up from an estimated 273 million cases in 2023. The WHO African Region accounted for about 94% of cases and 95% of deaths, with children younger than five years among the most vulnerable.
Malaria is caused by parasites transmitted through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Although the disease is preventable and treatable, delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to severe illness and death, particularly among young children and pregnant women.
Uganda has implemented interventions including the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, indoor residual spraying in selected districts, community-based case management and wider access to testing and treatment.
However, sustaining these interventions requires continued financing, reliable supplies of medicines and diagnostic tools, and effective coordination among government agencies, health workers, development partners and the private sector.
The WHO has also reported partial resistance to artemisinin- based antimalarial medicines in Uganda, highlighting the need to monitor treatment effectiveness and ensure adherence to national treatment guidelines.
Malaria Free Uganda’s proposed financing mechanism is intended to provide an additional avenue for businesses and other stakeholders to contribute through financial support, technology, supplies, training and established community networks.
As a non-executive director, Feni will be expected to contribute to the board’s strategic direction, support resource mobilisation and partnership development, and oversee accountability for funds committed to the initiative.
The board is scheduled to meet four times a year, in addition to an annual strategy retreat and other meetings when required. The position is voluntary and non-remunerated, although reasonable expenses incurred while performing official duties are reimbursed in line with the initiative’s policy.
The secretariat will handle day-to-day operations, financial reporting, tracking of commitments and the organisation of board meetings and the annual malaria forum. Technical working groups supporting the National Malaria Control Division will provide technical guidance
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