Mary Kabwongera

By Francis Kagolo

A nurse, who contracted Ebola while tending to an infected woman in 2000, has received an award for devotion to duty.

Mary Kabwongera, who has been a nurse at Masindi Hospital for over 10 years, on Saturday received a plaque and a cash prize from the Rotary Club of Kololo.

“Not many health workers are committed to their duties, but Kabwongera has demonstrated that rare spirit,” said Caleb Babihuga, the club’s president, while handing over the Rotary Vocational Award to Kabwongera at Naguru Reception Centre in Kampala.

The patient, from whom Kabwongera contracted the disease, had escaped from Lacor Hospital in Gulu district.

The medical superintendent of Lacor Hospital, Dr. Matthew Lukwiya and 24 other nurses died from the disease.