Building community bonds through community engagement in Koome sub-county 

In  April, the Target Malaria Uganda stakeholder engagement team conducted a week-long engagement with island communities in Koome Sub-County, Mukono District.  

The visits to Katooke, Kibatiira, Zingola, Misenyi, Myende, Kitosi, and Kalyambuzi villages focused on sharing feedback from mosquito collections carried out in late 2024 and providing updates on the progress of the ongoing research by the project. This feedback exercise provided a significant platform for dialogue, learning and strengthening trust, a core value of our project.  

The team also engaged with local leaders and community members in open discussions around mosquito sampling techniques and genetic modification.  

The mobilization of the communities was coordinated via community open radios and trusted community figures resulting in high turn-ups to the meetings. The local area leaders in the sub-county commended the project’s openness, while community members expressed curiosity and gratitude. The questions raised during the sessions reflected an increasing awareness and sense of involvement from the community. 

 These discussions encouraged understanding, transparency and shared ownership of the research.  

During this time, the team also explored new potential sites such as Bugombe and Lubembe, gathering valuable baseline information for future planning.  

The engagement exercise reinforced the importance of inclusive, transparent communication in advancing scientific research within local communities. Insights gathered during this visit will inform future activities and help strengthen collaboration with the island communities of Koome Sub- County.