A newly crowned king's first act: vaccinate Uganda's children

A day after his coronation, the new Omukama of Tooro, Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I, made his first public act a plea to parents: bring the children. Uganda's health ministry is running a free five-day measles-rubella campaign from October 1 to 5, aiming to reach 7.5 million children between 9 months and 5 years old at clinics, pop-up posts and village outreach points. Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi launched the drive October 1 in Wakiso; the young king and his wife Omugo Rebecca Amoding carried it into the Tooro kingdom the next day. It follows a hard year — 2025 brought measles outbreaks to 66 districts, with more than 10,000 cases — and this push is meant to make sure the next one never comes.