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VP Alupo calls for lifting of air travel restrictions on Ugandans
“While I appreciate the need for vigilance, blanket restrictions undermine confidence in countries that report outbreaks openly, and are not commensurate with the actual risk. I thank the countries that have kept their borders and routes open, demonstrating confidence in Uganda’s evidence-based public health measures,” Alupo told the virtual African Union (AU) high-Level meeting of the Heads of State today.
Alupo further urged member states to safeguard continuity of essential health services, emphasising that Uganda has made significant progress in areas such as routine immunisation, maternal and child health, malaria prevention, and primary health-cares services. (New Vision/Files)
By: New Vision Reporter, Journalist @New Vision
DIPLOMACY
The Vice President, Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, has called for the lifting of air travel restrictions imposed on Ugandans over an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has spilled over to Uganda.
“While I appreciate the need for vigilance, blanket restrictions undermine confidence in countries that report outbreaks openly, and are not commensurate with the actual risk. I thank the countries that have kept their borders and routes open, demonstrating confidence in Uganda’s evidence-based public health measures,” Alupo told the virtual African Union (AU) high-Level meeting of the Heads of State today.
Alupo represented President Yoweri Museveni at the meeting hosted by the chairperson of the AU and president of Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimiye.
The vice president said Uganda has been transparent from the outset, promptly sharing information and implementing robust measures that have consistently prevented the exportation of Ebola cases beyond borders.
“I want to categorically inform the International community that Uganda cannot export cases of Ebola beyond our borders. The air travel restrictions imposed on Uganda are really unfair and I urge ambassadors and airline operators to kindly lift the ban,” she said. To date, Uganda has registered 19 confirmed cases, of whom seven have successfully recovered and have been discharged, while the country sadly mourns the loss of two lives.
While these developments provide encouragement, Alupo noted that the country remains vigilant. “Ebola is a disease that recognises no borders, and no country can afford complacency. Our experience has repeatedly demonstrated that outbreaks in one country quickly become a concern for the entire region and continent,” she said.
Alupo informed the heads of state that Uganda has activated a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response, guided by strong political leadership, community engagement, surveillance, contact tracing, infection prevention and control measures, and cross-border collaboration, adding that sustained success will require coordinated regional action.
On behalf of government of Uganda, Alupo respectfully called upon all African member states to strengthen the collective response against Ebola through; instituting and strengthening entry and exit screening measures at airports, points of entry, and land border crossings in accordance with the guidance of the world Health Organisation and established International Health regulations.
She also asked member states to work towards a standardised regional public health locator system for departing and arriving travelers to facilitate timely tracing and follow-up where necessary.
“I want to categorically inform the International community that Uganda cannot export cases of Ebola beyond our borders. The air travel restrictions imposed on Uganda are really unfair and I urge ambassadors and airline operators to kindly lift the ban,” she said. To date, Uganda has registered 19 confirmed cases, of whom seven have successfully recovered and have been discharged, while the country sadly mourns the loss of two lives.
While these developments provide encouragement, Alupo noted that the country remains vigilant. “Ebola is a disease that recognises no borders, and no country can afford complacency. Our experience has repeatedly demonstrated that outbreaks in one country quickly become a concern for the entire region and continent,” she said.
Alupo informed the heads of state that Uganda has activated a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response, guided by strong political leadership, community engagement, surveillance, contact tracing, infection prevention and control measures, and cross-border collaboration, adding that sustained success will require coordinated regional action.
On behalf of government of Uganda, Alupo respectfully called upon all African member states to strengthen the collective response against Ebola through; instituting and strengthening entry and exit screening measures at airports, points of entry, and land border crossings in accordance with the guidance of the world Health Organisation and established International Health regulations.
She also asked member states to work towards a standardised regional public health locator system for departing and arriving travelers to facilitate timely tracing and follow-up where necessary.
The vice president further appealed to African member states to promote transparency and real-time sharing of epidemiological information. “Timely exchange of data remains one of our effective tools for preventing cross-border transmission and informing evidence-based decision-making,” she said.
She urged member states to intensify coordinated resource mobilisation, leveraging both domestic financing and support from development partners to ensure that response efforts are adequately funded and sustained.
Alupo further urged member states to safeguard continuity of essential health services, emphasising that Uganda has made significant progress in areas such as routine immunisation, maternal and child health, malaria prevention, and primary health-cares services.
“We cannot allow an outbreak to reverse these gains. Our response must therefore protect both public health security and essential healthcare delivery,” she said.
Additionally, the vice president told AU member states to sustain high-level political commitment across the continent, stressing that strong leadership remains indispensable in mobilising resources, maintaining public confidence, and ensuring accountability for outbreak response.
She called for further strengthening of cross-border collaboration in surveillance, laboratory systems, risk communication and community engagement, emergency preparedness, and coordination mechanisms.
The vice president noted that the fight against Ebola is not the responsibility of any one nation, but a collective responsibility that demands solidarity, vigilance, and sustained commitment.
She reaffirmed Uganda’s shared determination to protect its population, strengthen its health systems, and prevent the spread of Ebola across the continent.
She said Uganda is committed to working closely with all AU member states, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organisation, and all partners to eradicate Ebola. Uganda's Minister of Health, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, and the ministry's Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine, also attended the virtual meeting.
She urged member states to intensify coordinated resource mobilisation, leveraging both domestic financing and support from development partners to ensure that response efforts are adequately funded and sustained.
Alupo further urged member states to safeguard continuity of essential health services, emphasising that Uganda has made significant progress in areas such as routine immunisation, maternal and child health, malaria prevention, and primary health-cares services.
“We cannot allow an outbreak to reverse these gains. Our response must therefore protect both public health security and essential healthcare delivery,” she said.
Additionally, the vice president told AU member states to sustain high-level political commitment across the continent, stressing that strong leadership remains indispensable in mobilising resources, maintaining public confidence, and ensuring accountability for outbreak response.
She called for further strengthening of cross-border collaboration in surveillance, laboratory systems, risk communication and community engagement, emergency preparedness, and coordination mechanisms.
The vice president noted that the fight against Ebola is not the responsibility of any one nation, but a collective responsibility that demands solidarity, vigilance, and sustained commitment.
She reaffirmed Uganda’s shared determination to protect its population, strengthen its health systems, and prevent the spread of Ebola across the continent.
She said Uganda is committed to working closely with all AU member states, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organisation, and all partners to eradicate Ebola. Uganda's Minister of Health, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, and the ministry's Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine, also attended the virtual meeting.