Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi stressing apoint at UMC
By George Bukenya
As Uganda intensifies efforts to contain further spread of Ebola disease in the country, government to the Minister of Health Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the Uganda government has established temporary health units in three areas of Aru, Kasenyi in Kases8e District and Butebo in North Kivu with a total of 240 beds.
According to Dr. Baryomunsi, Uganda has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with its counterpart in DR. Congo to work together in this course.
Government confirmed an outbreak of the virus disease in Bundibugyo on 15 May 2026, following a cross-border introduction involving Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) nationals seeking care in Ugandan hospitals.
Speaking to the Reporters at Uganda Media Centre in Kampala the Minister reaffirmed that Uganda hasn’t registered any new Ebola case since July 28, 2026 when he announced that the country became free of the killer disease.
He said the border remain closed for Congolese Nationals travelling to Uganda save essential workers like red cross personnel and tracker drivers togehter with their conducts but these must be subjected to the SOPs before being allowed to enter here.
“Despite the Kenyan National who traveled to Uganda and tested positive, no single case of any Ugandan was detected to have Ebola but his 60 contact persons were isolated for 21 mandatory days and all these didn’t develop any symptoms and were released,” Dr. Baryomunsi said.
`The end of local transmission doesn’t mean the risk has ended. We share a border with the DRC, where transmission continues, and our communities remain closely connected through trade, travel and family ties, therefore we need to remain vigilant,’’ he said.
Kira Koch who represented the World Health Organization (WHO) country representative argued Uganda to remain vigilant at this time and also strengthen surveillance and cross border collaboration.
“ Cross border collaboration, continuous surveillance and detection remain very important for the region to be able to contain the spread of the Ebola Virus,’’ Kira argued.
Uganda has established three treatment centre at Aru town in WestNile, Kasenyi in Kasese and at Butebo in North Kivu in DR. Congo following the signing of an MOU.