Uganda, March 20 -- The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of an increase in the number of Ugandans suffering from leprosy -a disease that disfigures legs and arms of the patient, and causes nerve damages.

"Between 2017 and 2022, the country registered an increase in the number of leprosy cases from 121 to 518 with 13 percent of these cases in children," Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, the WHO country representative said.

"The growing trend could be due to retrogression on leprosy control services and the ongoing community transmission. There is an urgent need for evidence based innovations to save lives," he added.

Dr Yonas also said the WHO would continue to support Uganda with "leprosy treatment and preventive therapy as we wor...