News
Minister Baryomunsi cautions Ugandans as Ebola rages in neighbouring DRC
Baryomunsi said Ebola cases in the DRC have surpassed the 10,000 mark as the outbreak continues to spread across the country and beyond its borders.
Minister of Health and MP for Kinkizi East Constituency, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, addressing Christians on Sunday, November 8, 2026. ( Photos by Juliet Anna Lukwago)
By: Juliet Anna Lukwago, Journalist @New Vision
________________
The Minister of Health and Kinkizi East legislator Dr. Chris Baryomunsi has cautioned Ugandans not to relax in face of increasing Ebola cases in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Baryomunsi explained that the Government maintains border restrictions over the Ebola risk and urged communities living near to continue being alert and vigilant.
He said Ebola cases in the DRC have surpassed the 10,000 mark as the outbreak continues to spread across the country and beyond its borders.
Baryomunsi explained that this year, Uganda Martyrs Day that is usually celebrated on June 3, was postponed due to the Ebola outbreak in DRC and many pilgrims had trekked from there to Uganda.
He was addressing hundreds of Christians living in Kampala but hail from the five Catholic dioceses of; Kabale, Kasese, Hoima, Fort-Portal and Mbarara under their umbrella association - Mbarara Ecclesiastical Province Association (MEPA) at Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo on November 8.
“This year, the country did not celebrate Uganda Martyrs Day because of Ebola, which was in neighbouring DRC. Today, the country is free; we don’t want to postpone the day again. All of us have to be alert and vigilant to keep our country free from the pandemic. Data from DRC confirmed cases at 10,060 and deaths at over 5,000,” revealed Baryomunsi.
This year's celebrations, which were organised by Hoima Diocese, started with a mass led by the Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese, Lambert Bainomugisha, on behalf of the Bishop of Hoima, Vincent Kirabo.
Bainomugisha was assisted by the Bishop Fort-Portal, Dr. Robert Muhiirwa Akiiki, Bishop of Kasese Francis Aquirinus Kibira Araali, Bishop of Kabale Dr. Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire, retired Bishop of Kabale Callistus Rubaramira, and Msgr Robert Mugisa, among other priests.
The day also graced by dignities, led by Second Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, who represented the chief guest, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Bunyoro Affairs State Minister Grace Mary Mugasa, Head of Laity in Uganda Gervase Ndyanabo, Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, Former finance minister Matia Kasaija, Members of Parliament, business people and Christians. This year's theme was “Be my witness (Mathew 10:18)."
Minister Baryomunsi announced a mandatory camp in Aru, Kasenyi, Butebo, Kasindi and promised the country to open others to help Congolese nationals at the Uganda-DRC border to get treatment. He appealed to the community around borders to be vigilant so that the country remains free of Ebola.
“This year, the country did not celebrate Uganda Martyrs Day because of Ebola, which was in neighbouring DRC. Today, the country is free; we don’t want to postpone the day again. All of us have to be alert and vigilant to keep our country free from the pandemic. Data from DRC confirmed cases at 10,060 and deaths at over 5,000,” revealed Baryomunsi.
This year's celebrations, which were organised by Hoima Diocese, started with a mass led by the Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese, Lambert Bainomugisha, on behalf of the Bishop of Hoima, Vincent Kirabo.
Bainomugisha was assisted by the Bishop Fort-Portal, Dr. Robert Muhiirwa Akiiki, Bishop of Kasese Francis Aquirinus Kibira Araali, Bishop of Kabale Dr. Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire, retired Bishop of Kabale Callistus Rubaramira, and Msgr Robert Mugisa, among other priests.
The day also graced by dignities, led by Second Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, who represented the chief guest, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Bunyoro Affairs State Minister Grace Mary Mugasa, Head of Laity in Uganda Gervase Ndyanabo, Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, Former finance minister Matia Kasaija, Members of Parliament, business people and Christians. This year's theme was “Be my witness (Mathew 10:18)."
Minister Baryomunsi announced a mandatory camp in Aru, Kasenyi, Butebo, Kasindi and promised the country to open others to help Congolese nationals at the Uganda-DRC border to get treatment. He appealed to the community around borders to be vigilant so that the country remains free of Ebola.
“It is the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in the history of DRC and nearly half of the 10,060 confirmed cases have died. That also makes it the deadliest outbreak in the country’s history,” observed the minister.
He added that Uganda will continue quarantine citizens returning from the DRC for 21 days as it tightens Ebola prevention measures to make sure that the country remains Ebola-free.
During his sermon, Archbishop Bainomugisha urged pilgrims to remain united in Christ. "We are here not to pay pilgrimage only, but as a family of God. We are from different dioceses, with different cultures, talking different languages, but we are united in Christ,” he said.
Bainomugisha urged Christians to stay united despite the many challenges in the world today, including sickness, poverty and conflicts. “The Uganda Martyrs witnessed Christ. We paid pilgrimage to Namugongo to seek that strength in prayer, to open our lives to Christ.”
On behalf of the host Christians from Hoima, Msgr Mugisa thanked MEPA for the good work and support they give to their diocese.
Uganda declared Ebola free
On August 27, 2026 this year, Uganda was officially declared Ebola-free after completing the 42-day World Health Organisation (WHO) monitoring period, following a 20-case Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak tied to importations from the DRC.
The country recorded 20 confirmed cases (15 imported from the DRC and 5 locally acquired). It registered 18 recoveries and two deaths.
Over 800 contacts were identified and they completed their 21-day isolation and 42-day follow-up periods without further transmission detected.
He added that Uganda will continue quarantine citizens returning from the DRC for 21 days as it tightens Ebola prevention measures to make sure that the country remains Ebola-free.
During his sermon, Archbishop Bainomugisha urged pilgrims to remain united in Christ. "We are here not to pay pilgrimage only, but as a family of God. We are from different dioceses, with different cultures, talking different languages, but we are united in Christ,” he said.
Bainomugisha urged Christians to stay united despite the many challenges in the world today, including sickness, poverty and conflicts. “The Uganda Martyrs witnessed Christ. We paid pilgrimage to Namugongo to seek that strength in prayer, to open our lives to Christ.”
On behalf of the host Christians from Hoima, Msgr Mugisa thanked MEPA for the good work and support they give to their diocese.
Uganda declared Ebola free
On August 27, 2026 this year, Uganda was officially declared Ebola-free after completing the 42-day World Health Organisation (WHO) monitoring period, following a 20-case Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak tied to importations from the DRC.
The country recorded 20 confirmed cases (15 imported from the DRC and 5 locally acquired). It registered 18 recoveries and two deaths.
Over 800 contacts were identified and they completed their 21-day isolation and 42-day follow-up periods without further transmission detected.