Antibiotics have transformed healthcare worldwide, but their misuse is quietly creating one of the greatest health threats of our time: antibiotic resistance. In Uganda, studies suggest that more than half of antibiotics are taken without a prescription (Ministry of Health Uganda, 2021). This widespread practice not only undermines individual treatment but also fuels a national health crisis as common infections become harder to treat.
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria adapt to survive the drugs meant to kill them. The result is simple but dangerous: treatments that once worked are no longer effective. For Uganda, where access to advanced healthcare is already limited in many areas, this trend increases both the cost and complexity of treatment. Hospitals face mounting pressure, and families are forced to shoulder the burden of longer, more expensive, and sometimes ineffective care.
The World Health Organization (WHO, 2020) has identified antibiotic resistance as one of the top ten global health threats. In Uganda, healthcare providers already report resistance to drugs once considered reliable, with some studies showing treatment failure in over 40% of patients (Uganda National Drug Authority, 2022). At the same time, surveys show that less than a third of young people fully understand when and how antibiotics should be used (Makerere University School of Public Health, 2019).
Addressing this challenge requires medical solutions, but also education and awareness, particularly among the youth, who play a critical role in shaping future health behaviours. Schools, families, and communities need access to accurate information about medicine use and the dangers of self-medication. Policy enforcement around the sale and distribution of antibiotics must also be strengthened, ensuring that antibiotics remain accessible but responsibly managed.
Uganda’s health system stands at a crossroads. With early action focused on awareness, education, and better regulation, the country can slow the advance of resistance and safeguard the effectiveness of life-saving medicines for generations to come.
