Rwamagana: Residents Urged to Use Mosquito Nets as Intended

Residents in Nyarubuye Cell, Fumbwe Sector of Rwamagana District have been urged to use mosquito nets strictly for their intended purpose, as health officials intensify efforts to curb malaria in high-risk areas.

The call was made on April 23, 2026, during the distribution of mosquito nets to households in the area, part of a nationwide campaign targeting sectors with elevated malaria prevalence.

Epaphrodite Habanabakize, Malaria Prevention Senior Officer at Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), said the distribution exercise is guided by data on malaria incidence rather than geographic coverage alone.

“We distribute mosquito nets based on sectors with high malaria cases. While Rwamagana District is not among the most affected overall, sectors such as Muyumbu and Fumbwe record higher case numbers, which is why they are prioritized,” he said.

Habanabakize emphasized that the effectiveness of the campaign depends largely on proper usage.

“We urge residents to use mosquito nets for their intended purpose. They should not be misused for fishing, poultry shelters, or kitchen gardens. People must sleep under them every night and combine this with other malaria prevention measures,” he added.

At the national level, RBC plans to distribute 2.9 million mosquito nets, with nearly 1.1 million already delivered. The exercise, covering 117 sectors, is expected to conclude by the end of May.

Each mosquito net is designed to last between two and three years, though officials note that even older nets can still offer protection if intact. Residents are also encouraged to purchase their own nets if they are not covered in the distribution or if their existing ones wear out.

Rwamagana District Mayor Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi highlighted the vulnerability of Fumbwe Sector, particularly Nyarubuye Cell, which lies near Lake Muhazi, an area prone to mosquito breeding.

“This area has consistently recorded high malaria cases. In fact, Fumbwe and Muyumbu together account for about half of all malaria cases in the district,” he said.

He stressed that prevention remains the most effective defense against the disease.

“Malaria is dangerous and can kill quickly, but it is also treatable within just three days if detected early. However, prevention is better than cure. No one should sleep without using a mosquito net,” he said.

Beneficiaries welcomed the initiative, noting that many households had been relying on worn-out nets.

Jeanne D’Arc Nibakure, a resident of Nyarubuye Cell, said the new nets would strengthen protection in her home.

“The nets we had were old, but I had made it a habit to never sleep without one. I cannot sleep without using a mosquito net,” she said.

She warned against misuse of the nets, stressing their importance to health.

“Mosquito nets are essential for human health. Anyone misusing them is putting their life at risk. Sleeping under a net is something everyone should value,” she added.

Another resident, Appolonia Mukaleta, described receiving a new net as life-saving.

“I thank God for receiving this net. I could not afford to buy one. People should take seriously the responsibility given by health workers. If you don’t use it, you are putting your life in danger and exposing yourself to malaria again,” she said.

In total, 8,974 households in Fumbwe Sector received 21,650 mosquito nets, distributed based on the number of beds in each household.

According to RBC data, Rwamagana District recorded 17,279 malaria cases between July 2025 and March 2026, with nearly half reported in Fumbwe and Muyumbu sectors alone.