What you need to know:
- The Malaria Free Uganda board convenes four times a year, alongside an annual strategy retreat.
The Ministry of Health has appointed Mr. Benard Feni, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Euro Gold Refinery Uganda Ltd and the Arua-based Mungufeni Foundation, to the Board of Directors of Malaria Free Uganda.
The three-year appointment, effective September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029, was announced by the Minister of Health, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi. The tenure is renewable once, subject to the board's governing charter.
In the appointment letter seen by this publication, Dr. Baryomunsi noted that Mr. Feni’s inclusion recognizes his leadership experience and highlights the vital role private-sector players play in advancing national public health priorities.
"Mr. Feni brings a wealth of private-sector expertise and community leadership that will be instrumental as we scale up our resource mobilization and strategic partnerships to eradicate malaria," Dr. Baryomunsi stated in the letter.
Reacting to his appointment, Mr. Feni expressed commitment to supporting the country's public health goals.
"It is an honor to serve on the board of Malaria Free Uganda," Mr. Feni said. "Malaria continues to undermine our economic growth and social well-being. Bridging the gap between the private sector and public health initiatives is critical if we are to achieve a malaria-free nation."
As a non-executive director, Mr. Feni will join other board members in providing strategic oversight, mobilizing domestic resources, strengthening advocacy, and forging partnerships to bolster national malaria prevention and control programs. The board will also oversee the initiative’s budgets, resource commitments, and secretariat operations.
Mobilizing private sector against malaria
Malaria Free Uganda was established to complement Ministry of Health efforts by coordinating private-sector participation and raising domestic funds. Its core mission is to engage businesses, civil society organizations, and community leaders in sustainable anti-malaria programs.
A key priority for the board is establishing an End Malaria Fund—a dedicated financing mechanism uniting government officials, business executives, and community leaders to fund interventions outlined in the National Malaria Strategic Plan.
The proposed fund aims to close critical financing gaps, improve access to essential antimalarial commodities, and ensure strict accountability for commitments aligned with Uganda’s goal to eliminate malaria as a public health threat by 2030.
Additionally, the initiative advocates for all government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to mainstream malaria interventions into their annual work plans and budgets.
Heavy disease burden
Mr. Feni’s appointment comes as Uganda continues to battle a severe malaria burden that heavily impacts households, health systems, and the national economy through treatment expenses, lost working days, and school absenteeism.
According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Malaria Report 2025 (covering 2024 estimates), global malaria cases rose to 282 million with 610,000 deaths—up from 273 million cases in 2023.
The WHO African Region bore the brunt of the burden, accounting for approximately 94 percent of global cases and 95 percent of deaths, with children under five remaining the most vulnerable group.
The report placed Uganda among five nations—alongside the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Nigeria—that collectively accounted for more than half of all global malaria cases.
Although Uganda has implemented key interventions—such as distributing insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying in high-burden districts, and community case management—challenges remain. The WHO recently flagged partial resistance to artemisinin-based antimalarial therapies in parts of Uganda, reinforcing the urgent need for consistent funding, drug resistance monitoring, and adherence to treatment guidelines.
Governance and operations
The Malaria Free Uganda board convenes four times a year, alongside an annual strategy retreat. Board positions are voluntary and non-remunerated, though official operational expenses are reimbursed according to initiative policies.
Day-to-day operations, financial reporting, tracking of stakeholder commitments, and coordination of the annual national malaria forum will continue to be managed by the initiative’s secretariat.