Panic grips Kanungu as Ebola suspect is buried

By Patson Baraire

There is fear and panic going on in Kanungu district following the death of a health worker who was working in Kagadi whose body was transported for burial in the district.

 Kemitumba Mackline is reported to have passed away on Monday July 30th and her body was transported over night to her parents’ home in Nkunda village in Nyanga Sub County, Kanungu district where she was buried hurriedly Tuesday afternoon.

 Kanungu district health officer Sister Florence Rwabahima told this reporter that she learnt about the deceased body being transported to Kanungu from Kibaale district after she heard about radio announcements announcing her burial in Kanungu district and tried to block the transportation of the body but failed as her relatives traveled at night.

 "I tried to block the transportation of the body advising that she should be buried immediately in Kibale but my efforts were fruitless," Rwabahima said.

 Rwabahima expressed concern that if the suspected victim died of Ebola then it could be contracted by all her relatives who were involved in transporting her body and those who attended her burial in Nyanga.

 "The people who handled the transportation had no protective gear and must have had contact with the victim and that is itself enough to pass on the disease," She said.

 When contacted the Resident District Commissioner Kanungu Canon Ben Rullonga said that he had ordered for the burial of the suspected victim immediately but her relatives ignored him and took their time to bury as usual in the afternoon.