Kampala, Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni has cautioned frontline workers, religious leaders and community leaders against complacency in the fight against Ebola, even as Uganda records no new infections in the last five days.
The President made the remarks during a televised national address on Wednesday evening, where health officials reported encouraging progress in containing the outbreak.
Speaking during the address, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Dr Diana Atwine, said the country had gone five consecutive days without registering a new Ebola case.
“Uganda has not registered any Ebola cases in the past five days. We continue to urge our health workers to remain vigilant while working on patients who are still undergoing treatment,” Dr Atwine said.
Mr Museveni commended health workers for their efforts but warned that the fight against the disease was far from over, calling on those at the frontline, including religious and community leaders, to help reinforce public health measures.
“Health is more important than wealth, so whenever it is threatened, we take it very seriously,” he said.
The President urged Ugandans to continue following guidance issued by health experts and avoid practices that could facilitate the spread of the virus.
While seeking to reassure the public, Museveni said Uganda had successfully overcome similar public health challenges in the past, including HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and previous Ebola outbreaks.
“We have faced many epidemics, including AIDS, COVID-19, and Ebola. We will overcome this situation as well. In my view, this Ebola outbreak is easier to manage compared to COVID-19,” he said.
“COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets, while this disease spreads through physical contact. It is easier to prevent if people remain disciplined. Its spread is largely driven by carelessness. The major challenge is handling Ebola-related deaths. If someone is sick, they should call a doctor immediately,” he added.
Museveni specifically appealed to religious leaders and local opinion leaders to support government efforts by sensitising communities about the dangers of physical contact with infected persons and the importance of seeking medical attention early.
He also reiterated the need to suspend handshakes and other forms of direct physical greetings during the outbreak. “The practice of shaking hands should cease. If greeting someone is unavoidable, it should be done by waving instead,” the President said.
On cultural practices, Museveni urged caution, saying traditions should be reviewed where they pose a risk to public health.
“Cultures are meant to preserve us, not to harm us. Meat can be slaughtered and cooked safely, but if this cannot be ensured, some cultural practices need to be reviewed. If you eat monkeys, you may be at risk of contracting Ebola. I am not sure if proper cooking will eliminate the risk,” he said.
The latest update is likely to boost confidence in the country’s response efforts, though health authorities continue to monitor contacts and patients under treatment while maintaining surveillance in affected areas.
Uganda has previously been praised internationally for its swift response to Ebola outbreaks through aggressive contact tracing, public awareness campaigns, and coordinated emergency health interventions.
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