USAID and Government of Uganda Launch Digital X-Rays and TUKU-TUKU Motorcycles to Fight TB & Leprosy
Speaking at the launch, U.S Ambassador William W. Popp and other officials from USAID commended Uganda's proactive health sector reforms and emphasized the importance of innovation in tackling neglected diseases like leprosy.
Uganda Today Edition: USAID and Government of Uganda Launch Digital X-Rays and TUKU-TUKU Motorcycles to Fight TB & Leprosy
By Uganda Today Reporter
In a historic stride toward eliminating leprosy and expanding healthcare access, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with the Government of Uganda, has launched 48 state-of-the-art digital mobile x-ray machines worth $5m and a fleet of TUKU-TUKU motorcycles to enhance immunisation services across communities.
A Leap Toward “Health for All”
The equipment was officially handed over to various District Health Officers (DHOs) during a high-level event at the ministry of health headquarters Kampala that reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving early diagnosis and disease prevention, particularly in hard-to-reach rural areas. The initiative is anchored in Uganda’s wider goal of achieving universal health coverage, with TB & leprosy control being a critical component.
Speaking at the launch, U.S Ambassador William W. Popp and other officials from USAID commended Uganda’s proactive health sector reforms and emphasized the importance of innovation in tackling neglected diseases like TB & leprosy.
“These digital x-rays and mobile motorcycles represent more than just equipment — they are a symbol of our shared commitment to health equity,” said a USAID representative.
Targeting TB & Leprosy Through Technology and Mobility
TB & Leprosy, though rare, remain a public health challenge in some districts. Delayed diagnosis often leads to severe complications and disability. The introduction of digital mobile x-rays is set to revolutionize early detection by enabling health workers to swiftly identify lung-related complications that can be associated with comorbidities or hidden infections.
The uniquely designed TUKU-TUKU motorcycles, fitted for vaccine transport and field immunisation campaigns, will empower frontline health workers to reach remote areas where traditional ambulatory services are inaccessible.
“With these TUKU-TUKUs, we are bridging the last mile,” said Dr. Ruth Aceng, a Minister of Health official. “No child or adult will be left behind in the fight against TB & leprosy and other preventable diseases.”
District Health Teams Empowered
The 48 digital mobile x-ray units have been distributed among districts with the highest need, based on epidemiological mapping and population health data. DHOs, who received the equipment on behalf of their districts, pledged to use the tools responsibly to strengthen community health systems.
“This is a game-changer for our district,” said one DHO from Northern Uganda. “We can now screen people in the field and act early, instead of referring them miles away to regional hospitals.”
A Model for Integrated Community Health
The USAID-Government of Uganda partnership has been lauded as a model of collaborative innovation in public health. This program aligns with the National Health Sector Development Plan and builds upon other USAID-supported health initiatives addressing tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and maternal health.
As the nation moves closer to its goal of eliminating leprosy and improving rural healthcare, this partnership serves as a bold reminder that health for all is not just a dream — it is a tangible reality in motion.
📷 Images: Ministry of Health / USAID Uganda
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