By Mike Rwothomio

Benard Feni, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Euro Gold Refinery Uganda Ltd and the Arua-based Mungufeni Foundation, 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.

Mungufeni, popularly known as Feni, has joined other members of the Malaria Free Uganda (MFU) Board of Directors for the 2026–2029 term.

Feni is among the board members appointed to serve alongside Chairman Kenneth Mugisha and Vice Chairman Grace Muliisa in advancing the organisation’s malaria prevention and elimination agenda.

Other board members include Proscovia Nabbanja, Lilly Ajarova, Charles Mbiire, Dr Fabian Kasi, Robert Byaruhanga, Dr Alan Shonubi, Dr Bildard Baguma, Eng. Dr Harrison Mutikanga, Simon Kaheru, Hon. Milly Babalanda, Julius Mukunda, Dr Stephen Kaziimba and Ramathan Ggoobi.

The new board is expected to provide leadership and strategic guidance to Malaria Free Uganda as it pursues efforts to reduce the burden of malaria in the country.

The appointment, effected by Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi, covers a three-year term from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029.

In a communication issued by his media officer, the appointment is renewable once, subject to the initiative’s Board Charter.

According to the appointment letter, Feni’s inclusion recognises his leadership and professional experience, together with the contribution that private-sector stakeholders can make to Uganda’s development priorities.

The Board is mandated to deliver strategic oversight, mobilise domestic resources, strengthen advocacy and forge partnerships in support of 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 through resource mobilisation and coordination of private-sector participation in the national malaria response.

Its activities encourage businesses, civil society organisations and community leaders to contribute to malaria prevention and control.

A key priority of the initiative is the establishment of an End Malaria Fund or foundation to convene government officials, business leaders and community representatives in financing interventions under the national malaria strategic plan.

The proposed fund is intended to address financing gaps, improve the availability of essential malaria commodities and strengthen accountability for commitments toward Uganda’s goal of eliminating malaria as a public health threat by 2030.

The initiative further seeks to encourage government ministries, departments and agencies to mainstream malaria interventions into their plans and budgets, thereby extending prevention efforts beyond the health sector.

The appointment occurs against the backdrop of Uganda’s substantial malaria burden, which continues to affect households, health facilities and the wider economy through treatment costs, lost working days and school absenteeism.

The World Health Organization’s World Malaria Report 2025, presenting 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 approximately 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 result in 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 expanded access to testing and treatment.

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, underscoring the need to monitor treatment effectiveness and ensure adherence to national treatment guidelines.

Malaria Free Uganda’s proposed financing mechanism is designed to provide an additional channel for businesses and other stakeholders to contribute through financial support, technology, supplies, training and established community networks.

As a non-executive director, Feni will 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 as required. The position is voluntary and non-remunerated; reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of official duties are reimbursed in accordance with the initiative’s policy.

The secretariat will manage 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.The appointed members of the boardHealth Minister Chris Baryomusi ( left) greets Bernard Feni (Right)

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at Zoomer Africa your number one grassroot information hub for African news trends and updates.