Kampala, Uganda: The Ministry of Health Uganda has intensified nationwide Ebola sensitization efforts following the confirmation of two Ebola cases in Uganda, reportedly linked to infections contracted from the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
As part of the awareness campaign, the Ministry Wednesday launched engagements religious leaders and youth representatives during a sensitization meeting held at the headquarters of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council in Old Kampala.
The renewed public health campaign comes shortly after government announced the postponement of this year’s Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations at Namugongo as authorities moved to limit mass gatherings and control cross-border movement in a bid to contain the spread of the deadly virus.
Addressing participants during the meeting, senior medical officer Jimmy Ochorn emphasized the critical role religious leaders play in mobilizing communities and spreading public health information.
Ochorin noted that churches and mosques attract large numbers of believers daily, making religious institutions important partners in the fight against Ebola.
“The religious leaders have direct access to communities and can help us spread lifesaving information about Ebola prevention and early reporting,” he said.
The Ministry urged faith leaders to continuously educate worshippers on preventive measures including regular hand washing, avoiding physical contact with suspected Ebola victims, and immediately reporting symptoms to health authorities.
Officials also called on religious institutions to strengthen precautionary measures during Masses, Juma prayers, crusades, and other gatherings to minimize risks of transmission.
Several religious leaders who attended the meeting welcomed the government initiative and pledged to use their platforms to sensitize congregations and support national prevention efforts.
They expressed confidence that through cooperation, vigilance, and continued public awareness, Uganda would successfully contain the outbreak before it spreads further.
The latest Ebola alert has already triggered heightened health surveillance and renewed public health messaging across various parts of the country, particularly in border areas and crowded public spaces.
Uganda has previously battled multiple Ebola outbreaks, with health authorities often relying on aggressive contact tracing, community mobilization, and public sensitization campaigns to contain infections.
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