Kampala — The Health Ministry has started distributing mosquito nets to families in Kampala, an initiative that will roll out across the country with time.

Thousands of mosquito nets have been earmarked for distribution. Each family upon registering with the LCs, is entitled to two mosquito nets. These are targeted specifically at pregnant mothers and children under five years old.

Now that the rains seem to have begun, the nets come at an opportune time as the mosquito breeding period is upon us. Mosquitoes breed mostly in stagnant water which is commonplace during the rainy season.

Given the extent of malaria incidents in this country, the mosquito net supply initiative is long overdue, but nevertheless a welcome intervention. Unfortunately, in some places in Kampala the distribution process has not been streamlined.

According to recent statistics, one in three people in Uganda contracts malaria annually and 320 die daily. Put another way this is the same as almost 25 taxi loads of people dying daily.

That the disease has been allowed to progress to this level is a cause for national shame, but this trend should be turned back by any means necessary.

However, the best intentioned plans can fail for reasons of poor execution. There is never a right or wrong time to fight off death, but one has got to question the rationale of releasing these nets into the public during a politically charged period.

As much as the nets are being given out during an election season politicians, both high and low, should not attempt to hijack the process to serve their own political ambitions.

The Government should not allow this to happen. Make it clear that this initiative is for all Ugandans regardless of political affiliation and the Police should be on the lookout and arrest any such connivers.