The Buganda Kingdom has launched an Epidemic Response Committee to strengthen community preparedness and support government efforts to prevent the spread of Ebola and other infectious disease outbreaks.
The committee, chaired by the Kingdom’s Information Minister, Israel Kitooke, was unveiled by the Second Deputy Katikkiro, Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, during a meeting with Ministry of Health officials at Bulange, Mengo.
Mr Nsibirwa said the Kingdom has a proven record of partnering with government to tackle public health emergencies, citing its role in the fight against HIV/AIDS and Covid-19.
‘Buganda has always been at the forefront of addressing public health challenges. During the HIV/AIDS campaign, infection rates reduced significantly through sustained community mobilisation, and during Covid-19 we worked closely with the government to contain the pandemic,’ Mr. Nsibirwa said.
He added that the Kingdom, together with stakeholders, had developed a disaster management handbook to guide communities on responding to emergencies without causing panic.
‘As a cultural institution that receives many visitors from different countries, we must plan ahead and be prepared for any public health emergency. This committee will coordinate awareness, prevention and response efforts across the Kingdom,’ he said.
Mr. Nsibirwa commended the Ministry of Health for containing the Ebola outbreak through strict standard operating procedures, noting that no Ebola deaths had been registered within Buganda.
‘We are confident that the Ministry of Health has managed the situation well and that together we can contain the outbreak,’ he said.
He also noted that monkey meat is not consumed in Buganda because monkeys are regarded as a clan totem, making the practice culturally unacceptable.
Addressing the meeting, the Commissioner for Health Promotion and Education at the Ministry of Health, Richard Kabanda, said Uganda has successfully contained the outbreak through aggressive contact tracing and quarantine measures.
‘We have quarantined more than 820 contacts for 21 days in designated facilities. This has greatly reduced the risk of community transmission because anyone who had close contact with a confirmed case is isolated and monitored,’ Mr. Kabanda said.
He explained that Uganda’s strong disease surveillance system, experienced health workers and advanced laboratory capacity have enabled the country to respond quickly to outbreaks.
‘Our laboratories return Ebola test results within eight to ten hours, compared to about 10 days in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. That capacity has made Uganda one of the leading countries in outbreak response on the continent,’ he said.
Mr. Kabanda urged the Kingdom to use its structures, including clan leaders, county chiefs and media platforms such as CBS FM and BBS Television, to promote public awareness, infection prevention and timely reporting of suspected cases.
He warned communities against exhuming bodies during an Ebola outbreak, saying the practice poses a high risk of infection.
‘Bodies of Ebola victims are more infectious than living patients. Exhumation should never be allowed where safe and dignified burials have been conducted,’ he cautioned.
Mr. Kabanda further appealed for support in reducing stigma against survivors and people released from quarantine after completing the mandatory 21-day monitoring period. He also called for collaboration in identifying vulnerable communities, particularly cross-border populations, to strengthen surveillance and health education.
Background
Uganda declared its latest Ebola outbreak following the confirmation of cases linked to travellers from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where the disease continues to pose a public health threat. The Ministry of Health activated rapid response teams, intensified surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing and safe burial procedures to contain the outbreak.