Parliament demands answers on Uganda’s mpox fight

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Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has directed the health ministry to make a statement on the country’s fight against mpox, previously known as monkeypox.

This was during parliament’s plenary session she chaired on Thursday, October 17.

“I have been watching and reading in the newspapers the issue of monkeypox that is out there. The ministry of health needs to come out and issue a statement on the issue of monkeypox that is getting rampant and also give guidelines on how this can be handled,” she said.

“The threat is real because as we draw closer to the festival season; people will be moving from one place to another,” the Speaker, who is also the Bukedea Woman MP, added.

Mpox in Uganda

The Mpox outbreak in Uganda has affected 12 districts, with confirmed cases reported as of October 10, 2024. Eight patients have been moved to isolation, with no deaths so far registered among the confirmed cases Cumulatively, 91 confirmed cases of Mpox have been registered.

Treatment units with active admissions are operational in several districts, including Adjumani, Nakasongola, Wakiso, Mayuge, Nakaseke, Tororo, and Isingiro. Nakasongola has the highest number of cases, with 28 confirmed infections. By Thursday October 17, there were no reported deaths.

The majority of confirmed cases (97.7%) are Ugandan nationals, while 2.3% are non-Ugandans. Currently, 34 patients are admitted to treatment units.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Uganda has made significant progress in containing the outbreak. With no reported deaths and a low CFR, the situation seems to be under control. However, continued vigilance and monitoring are crucial to preventing further spread.

Mpox can cause painful skin lesions and has already killed at least 450 people during an initial outbreak in DR Congo, according to the World Health Organization, which has declared this outbreak in parts of Africa a public health emergency of international concern.

Several donors and international organisations have since the outbreak provided assistance to combat the spread of the diseases and treat those admitted in different facilities.

Earlier this week, the United States government stepped up its support for Uganda's battle against mpox, providing a substantial $4.1 million (approximately sh15b) and 5,500 mpox tests.

This aid, facilitated through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aims to bolster Uganda's preparedness and response plan.

The funding will be allocated among key organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Specifically, $1.4m will go to WHO, $600,000 to UNICEF, $400,000 to USAID Uganda Health Activity implemented by the University Research Collaborative (URC), and $1.7m to UNHCR for mpox screening and response in border crossings, refugee settlements, and host communities.

Relatedly

The UK government pledged £1m (about sh4.7b) support to Uganda’s fight against mpox, a contagious virus.

The funds would be channeled through the Baylor Foundation Uganda, a child health and development organization, and Makerere University’s Infectious Diseases Institute.

The announcement was made by the British High Commission in Kampala on October 10, after a meeting with the ministry of health top officials led by Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, the minister of health.

“The funding will provide technical support and capacity at national and regional emergency centres, community surveillance and engagement,” it said on X, formerly Twitter.

“The UK has always been a key partner with the Government of Uganda on our outbreak response. We appreciate the £1m contribution via implementing partners Baylor Uganda and Infectious Disease Institute in supporting us to respond efficiently to the Mpox outbreak,” sated Aceng.