HEALTH | BISHOPS | EBOLA

MUBENDE - Religious leaders have spoken out about the Ebola Outbreak in Mubende, warning Ugandans to be extra careful and observe all the guidelines prescribed by the Government to control its spread.

The clerics also prayed to God to save the country and stop the deadly disease, which has started claiming lives.

In the past week, the ministry of health has announced 34 cumulative Ebola cases, including confirmed and probable ones. 

Cases have been reported in Mubende, Kyegegwa and Kassanda districts.

While speaking to New Vision at All Saints Church Busimbi in Mityana town, the bishop of Mityana Anglican diocese, the Rt Rev Dr James Bukomeko, noted with concern that Ebola is coming at a time when people were resettling after the Covid 19 lockdown, and so it will affect them so much.

Dr Bukomeko said although the pandemic is so deadly, it can easily be stopped and wiped out if all people follow the advice of health officers.

“We have to remain strong and follow what is being told to us by the health officers. It's easier to avoid contracting and spreading Ebola compared to Covid. We shall go through this as we pray to God,” Dr Bukomeko said.

Mityana diocese covers areas of Mityana, Mubende, Kassanda, Kiboga and Kyankwanzi districts.

Bishop Bukomeko appealed to the Government to give enough and timely support to the area so that they can fight the pandemic.

He promised that the Mityana diocese will also engage in whatever it can to support the fight against Ebola.

Rev Moses Ssemugooma, the secretary for health in the diocese, asked people to remain calm and remain in touch with health officers.

“True we have gone through a challenging period of COVID and now it's Ebola but we should remain calm, careful as we pray to God,” he said.

He asked the residents to keep reporting any suspected cases so that they’re handed.

From the Catholic Church, the Chairman Uganda Episcopal conference, also the bishop of Kiyinda Mityana diocese Rt Rev Dr Joseph Antony Zziwa asked Ugandans to engage in all activities intended to stop Ebola.

Speaking from Kiyinda Cathedral hall, Bishop Zziwa reminded Ugandans that Ebola can be stopped.

The diocese of Kiyinda Mityana covers areas like Mubende district which is most hit by Ebola, Kassanda and Mityana the neighboring districts, Kiboga and Kyankwanzi.