Border Districts Maintain Despite Uganda Being Declared
Although Uganda was officially declared Ebola-free on July 28, health and security officials in border districts say surveillance will remain strict amid continued Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Districts sharing borders with the DRC – Kasese, Bundibugyo, Ntoroko, Kagadi and Kikuube – have kept preventive measures in place due to constant cross-border movement for trade, health care and family visits.
While announcing the end of the outbreak, Minister of Health Dr Chris Baryomunsi said Uganda would not lower its guard.
“Although Uganda is now Ebola-free, our work does not stop here. We will continue strengthening surveillance, maintaining preparedness across the country, particularly in border districts, and working with neighboring countries to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our people,” Dr Baryomunsi said.
Bundibugyo: Only one official border point open
Bundibugyo Resident District Commissioner Rtd Maj Jones Mugabirwe, who also heads the Ebola task force, said all illegal entry points have been closed.
“We closed all the illegal entry points and remained with only Busunga. All movement through this point is monitored. We shall not relax our measures because Ebola cases are still being reported in DR Congo and people continue to die,” Mugabirwe said in a telephone interview on Thursday.
Bundibugyo is separated from the DRC by River Lamya, with Busunga as the official crossing. Many residents have relatives and gardens across the border and some still use porous routes.
At Nyahuka Health Centre IV near the border, Dr Ezra Namanya said about 40 percent of patients treated at the facility come from the DRC.
‘All patients and visitors are screened at the facility entrance for fever and other signs and symptoms of Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers, and patients are then triaged at the Outpatient Department to ensure early identification and isolation of any suspected cases,’ Dr Namanya said.
‘The facility will continue to conduct routine Continuous Medical Education sessions on Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers to keep staff updated on case definitions, surveillance, infection prevention and control measures, and emergency response procedures,’ he added.
‘Through continuous vigilance, regular surveillance activities, and strict adherence to infection prevention measures, the facility remains prepared to detect and respond rapidly to any potential cross-border public health threats while safeguarding patients, healthcare workers, and the surrounding community,’ he said.
Ntoroko tightens lake and river patrols
In Ntoroko, authorities are watching Lake Albert and River Semuliki where numerous ungazetted crossing points exist.
Resident District Commissioner Patrick Ssonko Kisekwa said Congolese nationals must use designated entry points and undergo screening.
“As a district, we are very strict on everyone crossing from DR Congo into Uganda. They must go through proper screening. Although there are many crossing points, our soldiers continuously patrol River Semuliki and Lake Albert because some people attempt to cross at night between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Our marine teams are on standby to ensure no gaps are left in our surveillance,” Kisekwa said.
Security has been reinforced at Trasami, Haibale and Kayanja II crossing points with UPDF deployment.
Kagadi: SOPs to continue at Lake Albert
Kagadi borders the DRC via Lake Albert in Ndaiga Sub-county, where fishermen from both countries interact regularly.
Resident District Commissioner Caroline Nanshemeza said screening will continue despite the national declaration.
“We call upon our people to continue observing the SOPs because we border the DRC through Ndaiga, which continues to expose us to the risk of Ebola. Screening at our border points will continue,” Ms Nanshemeza said.
She said weekly markets will reopen but with screening and other preventive measures enforced. All health facilities, including Kagadi General Hospital, remain equipped to handle suspected cases.
“This outbreak was a wake-up call to all community members that life is worth saving, and that can only be achieved through vigilance and adherence to the recommended public health procedures,” she said.
Ms Nanshemeza also stressed the need to strengthen Kagadi General Hospital and construct a Health Centre IV at the Kagadi-DRC border in Ndaiga.
Kikuube: Challenge of 24 illegal landing sites
In Kikuube, officials say porous landing sites on Lake Albert pose the biggest risk.
Resident District Commissioner Godwin Angalia Kasigwa said the district has more than 24 illegal landing sites used for cross-border movement without screening.
“We have only two official crossing points at Songa and Sebigoro. These entry points are heavily manned by security personnel and surveillance teams who screen everyone entering the country,” Mr Kasigwa said.
He added that travelers sometimes cross at night to avoid checks.
“As a border district with the DRC, we face many challenges, but we are not relaxing any of our measures. We are screening not only for Ebola but also maintaining security because of the ADF threat. We have a Marine Unit deployed on Lake Albert, we are closing all illegal crossing points, and our security teams will continue conducting patrols,” he said.
Health facilities near the border, including Sebigoro Health Centre III and Kyangwali Health Centre IV, have isolation units and trained staff for screening.
Mr Kasigwa said all Ministry of Health guidelines on Ebola surveillance, screening and infection prevention will remain in force.
Officials say strict vigilance will continue until Ebola transmission in the DRC is fully contained.