Before the start of the HOCAM Implementation, the community of Mbongyera trading centre, Kamwenge subcounty, Kamwenge district faced frequent malaria outbreaks caused by poor sanitation and stagnant water, This is one of the villages that had the highest number of malaria cases as recorded at Nkongoro HC II, their nearest health facility. To address this challenge, HOCAM introduced a community-led approach aimed at improving general sanitation and empowering local leaders to take ownership of malaria prevention efforts.

The Challenge

Prior to the intervention:

• Poor waste disposal and blocked drains created mosquito breeding sites.
• Community awareness on sanitation and malaria prevention was low.
• Health facilities recorded high malaria cases, especially among children and pregnant women.
• There was little coordination between households, leaders, and local health structures.

These challenges made malaria one of the leading health burdens in Mbongyera trading centre, Kamwenge District.

The Turning Point

With the launch of the HOCAM Implementation, local leaders were trained to lead by example. Meetings were held with the village leaders including women leaders, religious leaders, the chairperson LC I, LC II and LC III. The health facility team also participated in the activity. Following this engagement, all community members were mobilized to not only
clean around their households but also embrace malaria prevention interventions including LLIN use, screening open points on their houses, cleaning around households and seeking early treatment if they notice symptoms.

Below are Images of the situation before.

Above: Rubbish clogged behind and around households and Community members participating in collecting rubbish around households

Achievements

Following the interventions within these households, there is improved sanitation around the households and less episodes of malaria as witnessed by a one “Mukabaziga Jacenta” in the image below, who recounts that previously, she ha to visit the health facility at least twice a week due to malaria among her children, at the time of collection of this piece on 13th November 2023, three months had elapsed without having to go to a health facility. She now reports that she sleeps under a mosquito net and so do her 2 children and hopes there will be no more malaria in her household. Her household environs is also now clean with no trace of polyethene and plastic littered.

The same households embrace LLIN repurposing to prevent entry of mosquitoes

Above: Mukabaziga (Right) and her baby,     Above: Community leaders at another  sharing her story with the Ag District   Compound after general cleaning Health Educator at her home 

Lessons Learned

• Engaging local leaders promotes accountability and sustainability.
• Community participation builds ownership and lasting behavioral change.
• Simple sanitation improvements can drastically reduce malaria risk.
• Continuous education and monitoring ensure long-term impact.

The success of the HOCAM Implementation in Mbongyera trading centre, Kamwenge subcounty, Kamwenge district proves that malaria prevention begins with clean surroundings and active community involvement. Through collaboration, leadership, and awareness, the community has taken a vital step toward a malaria-free future.