Ebola Fire Is Dying Down, Says Museveni as Uganda Records No New Cases
By Skika Reporter
President Yoweri Museveni has expressed optimism that Uganda’s latest Ebola outbreak is coming under control after the country recorded no new infections over the past five days.
In a televised national address on Wednesday night, the President said the absence of new cases was a strong indication that efforts to contain the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak were beginning to yield results.
“The story is clear. Some sick people from Congo came. They were not handled properly, carefully here. That’s all,” Mr Museveni said. “In spite of all that, for five days now, no new cases. It looks as if the fire of Ebola has started going down.”
The outbreak, linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has so far resulted in 19 confirmed cases, according to Ministry of Health statistics. Of these, 14 are imported cases from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), while five are Ugandan nationals.
Two deaths have been recorded, both involving imported cases.
Patients Recovering
Health officials say progress is being made in the treatment of infected patients.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Diana Atwine, revealed that five patients have recovered and been discharged from treatment centres. These include four Congolese nationals and one Ugandan.
However, 12 patients remain under treatment and observation.
Dr Atwine noted that while there are no approved drugs specifically for the Ebola Bundibugyo strain, patients are receiving supportive treatment to manage symptoms and complications.
“We continue to monitor the patients closely while maintaining surveillance and contact tracing activities,” she said.
Health Workers Among the Most Affected
The Director General of Health Services, Dr Charles Olaro, disclosed that health workers have been among the most affected by the outbreak.
According to Dr Olaro, four Ugandan health workers contracted the virus after treating an infected patient at a health facility in Kampala. Another Ugandan case involved a driver.
The infected patient reportedly sought treatment without being immediately identified as an Ebola case, exposing medical personnel who attempted emergency resuscitation procedures.
“The health workers had high-risk exposure while trying to save the patient’s life before Ebola was suspected,” Dr Olaro explained.
The Uganda Medical Association reports that nearly 100 health workers have been quarantined since May 15 after being exposed to Ebola patients in different health facilities across Kampala.
Museveni Calls for Vigilance
During his address, President Museveni argued that Ebola is easier to control than COVID-19 because it spreads through direct contact rather than airborne transmission.
“Ebola is an aggressive disease, but in my view, it is not as difficult to fight as either HIV/AIDS or COVID-19,” he said.
The President stressed that many infections occur due to failure to observe preventive measures.
“Now, the good thing with Ebola is that it spreads through contact. If it is spreading through contact, intimate contact, then it’s spreading because of carelessness,” he said.
He urged Ugandans to avoid risky practices such as physical contact with infected individuals and traditional burial rituals involving washing of bodies.
The President also advised religious leaders and health workers to exercise caution when interacting with sick individuals.
“Some of the people who are dying most in some areas are pastors and health workers because of touching,” he said. “God can hear your prayers even if you do not touch the sick.”
Museveni further discouraged handshaking and urged members of the public to seek medical attention immediately whenever Ebola-like symptoms appear.
Government Strengthens Response
Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi said Uganda has intensified containment measures to prevent further spread of the disease.
Among the interventions undertaken are restrictions on public gatherings and weekly markets in border districts, enhanced public awareness campaigns, contact tracing, and the establishment of isolation and quarantine centres.
The government is also working with the World Health Organisation and authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo to establish Ebola treatment centres across the border.
Officials believe the move will reduce the importation of cases into Uganda and improve regional coordination in combating the outbreak.
Current Ebola Situation
According to the Ministry of Health’s latest update as of June 9:
Confirmed cases: 19
Imported cases: 14
Ugandan cases: 5
Active cases: 12
Recoveries: 5
Deaths: 2
Contacts under monitoring: 783
New cases in the last five days: 0
Health experts continue to monitor contacts and enforce surveillance measures, noting that the Ebola incubation period can last up to 21 days.
Public Health Advisory
The Ministry of Health continues to urge the public to remain vigilant and observe preventive measures, including regular handwashing, avoiding contact with body fluids of infected persons, and reporting suspected cases immediately.
Common symptoms of Ebola include high fever, fatigue, chest pain, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting, body aches, rash and unexplained bleeding.
Health officials emphasize that early detection, isolation and treatment remain critical in preventing further transmission and bringing the outbreak to an end.
