Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is emerging as one of Uganda’s most pressing public health emergencies, claiming an estimated 30,000 lives every year while placing a growing financial burden on families and the healthcare system.
As drug-resistant infections become increasingly difficult and costly to treat, health authorities, international organizations and journalists are stepping up efforts to curb what experts describe as a “silent pandemic” threatening Africa’s health security.
According to Uganda’s Ministry of Health, antimicrobial resistance is responsible for thousands of preventable deaths annually, underscoring the urgent need for stronger antibiotic stewardship, improved surveillance and greater public awareness.
WHO strengthens antibiotic stewardship
In a step intended to preserve the effectiveness of life-saving medicines, the World Health Organization (WHO) has provided 300 AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) antibiotic reference books to Uganda’s National Drug Authority (NDA).
The AWaRe framework categorizes antibiotics based on their clinical importance and resistance risk, helping healthcare workers prescribe medicines more responsibly.
The guidance encourages clinicians to prioritize “Access” antibiotics when appropriate, closely monitor the use of “Watch” antibiotics, and preserve “Reserve” antibiotics as treatments of last resort for multidrug-resistant infections.
Health experts say wider adoption of the framework could significantly reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, slowing the spread of resistant bacteria while improving patient outcomes.
A growing economic challenge
Beyond its human toll, antimicrobial resistance is inflicting significant economic damage on Uganda.
New national data show that premature deaths linked to drug-resistant infections account for 62% of the country’s productivity Losses associated with AMR.
The remaining burden comes from rising healthcare expenditures and indirect household costs, including transport, food and caregiving expenses, forcing many families to spend scarce resources on prolonged medical treatment.
Public health specialists warn that without stronger interventions, AMR could undermine workforce productivity, strain already stretched health systems and slow economic development across the country.
Journalism as a weapon against AMR
As governments and health agencies intensify efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance, journalists are increasingly being recognized as critical partners in raising awareness and combating misinformation.
Speaking to DNE Africa, Okello Jesus Ojara, an investigative journalist from Northern Uganda and winner of the Global AMR Media Award, said responsible journalism can play a vital role in protecting communities from the growing threat.
“Winning the Global AMR Media Award is both an honour and a reminder of the responsibility journalists have in telling stories that save lives. Reporting from Northern Uganda has shown me that antimicrobial resistance is not just a scientific issue—it is a daily reality affecting rural communities, health workers, farmers and families.
This recognition inspires me to continue producing evidence-based, human-centred journalism that amplifies underreported voices and promotes accountability in the fight against AMR, both in Uganda and beyond.”
Ojara’s remarks highlight the growing recognition that effective communication is essential to changing public behaviour around antibiotic use, encouraging responsible prescribing practices and holding institutions accountable for strengthening health systems.
Strengthening AMR Surveillance
In June, Makerere University, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation Uganda and other partners, launched the National Integrated Interoperable Digital AMR Surveillance Platform (NIAMR) project.
Led by Prof. Josephine Nabukenya and funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the project aims to develop and evaluate an artificial intelligence-enabled platform to improve how antimicrobial resistance data are collected, shared, analysed and used across the country.
Using a “One Health” approach, the platform will integrate data from the human, animal, wildlife and environmental sectors, supporting earlier detection of resistant pathogens and more coordinated responses to emerging AMR threats.
In her address at the launch, Dr. Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary at Uganda’s Ministry of Health, said the initiative would strengthen the country’s ability to generate and use evidence for decision-making in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
“The NIAMR platform presents an opportunity to transform how we collect, share and utilize AMR data across the country. Through digital innovation and artificial intelligence, we can strengthen surveillance, generate timely evidence and support informed decision-making that protects public health,” she said.
The project forms part of Uganda’s broader efforts to implement its National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, which prioritizes stronger surveillance systems, improved antimicrobial stewardship and closer collaboration across the human, animal and environmental health sectors.
