President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said that Uganda has the capacity to control and manage the Ebola Virus Disease in the country.
Museveni made the remarks during a Wednesday October 12 televised Ebola update to the nation.
The President appealed to Ugandans to remain calm and follow guidance from health workers in regards to Ebola, saying the government is doing everything possible to ensure safety.
“I would like to appeal to you to remain calm and follow guidance from the health workers. Our country has the capacity to control this epidemic. Government is doing everything possible to ensure your safety,” he said.
Uganda has in the past managed the Ebola disease in the country but also in the neighbouring DR Congo and some parts of West Africa.
October 12, 2022, marks the 23rd day since the government declared an Ebola outbreak.
Currently, there are 54 total confirmed cases of Ebola and 19 deaths. Twenty people have recovered including five health workers who were discharged from Entebbe Isolation facility.
These were brought from Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital.
In his address, Museveni told Ugandans that there is no confirmed case of Ebola in Kampala city.
“There have been a lot of rumours and anxiety about confirmed cases of Ebola in Kampala City, specifically Kiruddu Hospital. I would like to inform the general public that there is no confirmed case of Ebola in Kampala City,” he said, adding:
“As I already indicated to you above, a confirmed case was admitted at Kiruddu Hospital from Mubende and died.”
He said several alert cases have been tested and the results have turned out negative.
“The Ministry of Health teams will continue to investigate any such cases and inform the public accordingly.”
Twenty four people have been listed as contacts to the Kiruddu case and are under quarantine.
Museveni called for vigilance saying this event shows “you the possibility of Ebola erupting in Kampala if we are not vigilant and people remain defiant to medical advice”.
He said because of the current epidemic, there are so many people reporting signs and symptoms similar to Ebola within Kampala and Wakiso.
The President noted that Ebola disease is deadly and spreads through contact with someone who has symptoms.
“When you see somebody with symptoms or if you develop symptoms, call the health workers to take you to the health facility in their ambulances. Do not jump on a boda boda or a taxi because you will spread the infection to the ones transporting you.”