Background: Acute respiratory infection is a significant health threat in children under the age of 5 years in Uganda and can be caused by Aim: This study documents caretaker behaviour in seeking treatment for suspected acute respiratory infection in children and estimates the prevalence of Setting: The study was carried out in the catchment region of Bwindi Community Hospital, encompassing the sub-counties of Kanyantorogo, Kayonza and Mpungu in rural southwestern Uganda. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2023 to August 2023. Caretakers answered questions about the child's illness, symptoms, sources of treatment and medicines administered. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from children and cultured to identify Results: Roughly half of the 422 families sampled reported that the child was ill within the past 2 weeks, the vast majority with symptoms consistent with a possible acute respiratory infection. Most (80%) sought treatment outside the home at a private or public health facility or drug shop. Regardless of treatment source, antibiotics (primarily amoxicillin) were administered 56% of the time. The prevalence of Conclusion: This study documents a high carriage rate of Contribution: This study provides evidence to support a wider assessment of