KAMPALA – The Minister of Health designate, Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, has acknowledged that communities along the porous border maintaining gardens on the DRC side for their livelihoods will be allowed access, under certain conditions.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Minister Baryomunsi said this on Monday evening during a media talk show with journalists while delivering an update on the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the region.
His remarks followed Uganda’s temporary closure of its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in an effort to contain an Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC that was spreading toward Uganda.
Under the guidance of the Ministry of Health, the government directed that only essential movement will be allowed, including authorized Ebola response teams, humanitarian operations, food and cargo transport, and security personnel.
Dr. Baryomunsi, in his remarks, struck a careful balance between urgency and reassurance, urging the public to recognize that Ebola is a real and deadly disease best contained by strictly following all Ministry-issued guidelines.
He further emphasized that defeating Ebola requires a collective national effort, reminding Ugandans that this is not a fight for health workers alone but one where every individual shares the responsibility to prevent the spread.
“Ebola is not new to us, but neither is our resolve. We have faced more than eight outbreaks since the days of Dr. Matthew Lukwiya, and each time, Ugandans have risen to the challenge. This time will be no different, but only if we act together, follow public health guidelines, and refuse to let our guard down. The virus crosses borders, but so does our vigilance,” Dr. Baryomunsi remarked.
The Director General of Health Services, Prof. Charles Olaro, confirmed that Uganda has recorded only 11 Ebola cases, four of whom were imported from the DRC and seven others from local transmission.
He added that five of the Ebola cases were health workers, and active contact tracing has placed 634 individuals in quarantine, with 22 contacts discharged and 125 more expected to complete quarantine by Friday.
“Uganda has 11 Ebola cases, four imported, seven local, including five health workers. We have 634 contacts under quarantine, 22 discharged, and 125 more set for release by Friday. One patient has recovered and three have tested negative,” Dr. Olaro stated.
Prof. Charles Olaro dispelled fears of another widespread lockdown, confirming that the government has no intention of imposing one, only emphasizing border closures to prevent cross-border transmission of infections.
Uganda has bolstered its laboratory capacity to speed up detection and response, including labs in Arua and Bwera Hospital, plus four mobile laboratories deployable as needed to minimize test result turnaround time.
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