Ebola: No plan for lockdown as Uganda cases rise to 11, ministry clarifies

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Government has ruled out a nationwide lockdown or school closures despite the rise in Ebola Virus Disease cases to 11, amid rumours and misinformation about a possible lockdown. Health authorities have also confirmed a shift in transmission dynamics, with cases now including local transmission and infections among frontline health workers.

According to the Ministry of Health, of the 11 confirmed cases, four are imported from neighbouring countries, while seven are locally transmitted. Five of the patients are health workers, underscoring ongoing exposure risks within health facilities.

“We have recorded 11 cases, of which four are imported, and seven are local transmissions. Five of the cases are health workers,” said Prof. Charles Olaro, the director general of health services at the Ministry of Health.

He added that the clinical outlook for several patients was improving, with early detection proving critical to survival.

“We have already discharged Case 002, and three of the patients have since tested negative. They are due for discharge,” Olaro said, noting that “if we are able to get patients early, then their chances of survival are much, much better.”

Rising contacts under surveillance

Olaro said the increase in cases has triggered extensive contact tracing efforts. At least 634 contacts have been listed and placed under monitoring, with many already completing mandatory follow-up.

“We have discharged 22 contacts who had finished 21 days,” Olaro said, explaining that the countdown begins from the day of exposure rather than isolation. “We expect that by Friday, we will have discharged 125.”

He added that all high-risk contacts remain under quarantine as surveillance teams intensify follow-up across affected districts.

The growing number of contacts highlights the scale of exposure linked to both imported cases and local transmission chains, particularly within healthcare settings.

No lockdown, but tighter border controls

Despite the rising case count, officials have rejected calls for sweeping restrictions such as a national lockdown, opting instead for targeted containment measures.

“We have no intention of imposing a lockdown. We have only emphasised the closure of borders to prevent cross-border transmission of infections,” Olaro said.

The decision reflects Uganda’s reliance on border-focused interventions given the country’s long-standing vulnerability to Ebola spillovers from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Health minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel to affected areas, particularly across the border.

“If your travel to or from Congo is not urgent, consider postponing it until the outbreak is under control,” he said, adding that strict adherence to preventive measures remains essential.

Baryomunsi said Uganda has significantly expanded its diagnostic capacity to ensure faster detection and response to suspected cases.

“We have strengthened our laboratory capacity to minimize turnaround time,” Olaro said. “This includes one laboratory in Arua, another at Bwera Hospital, and four additional mobile laboratories that can be deployed as needed.”

The decentralisation of testing is aimed at reducing delays in confirmation, which health experts say is critical to breaking transmission chains during Ebola outbreaks.

Public health teams have also intensified screening at border points and health facilities, especially in districts considered high-risk because of cross-border movement.

The confirmation that nearly half of the cases involve health workers has raised concern about infection prevention and control measures in clinical settings. Ebola outbreaks in Uganda have historically recorded high infection rates among frontline workers during the early stages of epidemics, often linked to delayed diagnosis or inadequate protective equipment.

Baryomunsi said the current response includes reinforcing infection prevention protocols and continuous training for health personnel, particularly in private and lower-level health facilities.

“Ebola is real”: Govt pushes back against misinformation

The Ministry of Health has also raised concern over misinformation and rumours spreading within communities, warning that false narratives are undermining response efforts.

“Rumours and fake news are spreading faster than the virus,” Olaro said. “We urge the public to rely only on verified sources such as the Uganda Media Centre and the Ministry of Health for accurate information,” referring to the Uganda Media Centre.

Olaro said misinformation has previously contributed to delayed treatment-seeking, resistance to contact tracing and stigma against survivors.

To counter this, health teams have increased community engagement through radio messaging, local leaders and real-time updates on case management.

“By the time we discharge a patient from quarantine, they will have tested negative. Communities are urged to desist from stigmatising individuals who have undergone treatment, as they pose no risk after recovery and clearance,” Olaro said.

Collective responsibility in containment

Baryomunsi emphasised that Ebola control cannot be achieved by the health sector alone and called for collective responsibility from all citizens.

“It will take a collective effort from all of us to successfully defeat Ebola. This is not a fight for health workers alone,” he said.

He urged communities to strictly follow standard operating procedures and public health guidelines issued by the ministry, warning that complacency could reverse gains already made.

“Our appeal to the public is to first recognise that this outbreak is real and that Ebola is a deadly disease. The most effective way to contain it is by strictly observing the SOPs and public health guidelines issued by the Ministry,” he said.

Baryomunsi also noted that Uganda’s repeated exposure to Ebola highlights its geographic vulnerability, particularly because of its porous border with the DRC.

“Ebola is not new to Uganda. Since the outbreak that claimed the life of Dr Matthew Lukwiya, the country has faced more than eight outbreaks, most linked to neighbouring DRC, underscoring the risk to border communities.” he said.

However, the Ministry of Health maintained that continued vigilance remains essential, particularly in communities along the Uganda-DRC border, where cross-border movement continues to be a persistent risk factor.