Uganda’s fight against sleeping sickness

■      Uganda is fighting against sleeping sickness, also known as human African Trypanosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease transmitted by the tsetse fly. Initial symptoms are fatigue, fever, and body aches, which can progress to severe neurological damage and death if untreated.  Dr. Waiswa Emmanuel, a clinical pharmacist, discusses the history and impact of sleeping sickness in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Uganda and Congo. In Uganda, Control measures include the use of nets, mass spraying, and clearing breeding sites to reduce the tsetse fly population. Due to effective interventions, sleeping sickness is not a major threat in Uganda today, with few cases reported, mainly near lake regions