The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has postponed a four-day Business Registration Clinic that had been scheduled to take place in refugee-hosting communities in Obongi District from June 23 to 26, 2026, citing concerns over the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the country.
The postponement was communicated in a letter dated June 19, 2026, addressed to Obongi District Chief Administrative Officer, Benson Otim Humphrey, by Fatuma Nakate, Senior Registration Officer at URSB's Arua Regional Office.
According to the letter, the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to safeguard public health and support national efforts aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola during public gatherings.
“Due to the current Ebola outbreak, we have decided to postpone the activity until it is safe to conduct public gatherings,” Nakate stated.
She explained that the Bureau is proposing to reschedule the clinic for late July or early August 2026, depending on the prevailing public health situation.
“We now propose to reschedule the clinic for late July or early August 2026. We will confirm the exact dates once the health situation improves,” Nakate added.
The clinic was intended to provide business registration services and awareness to refugees, women, youth, and members of host communities, enabling them to formalize their enterprises and access opportunities associated with registered businesses.
Despite the postponement, Nakate emphasized that URSB remains committed to promoting entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in refugee-hosting areas.
“We remain committed to supporting business registration for refugees, women, and youth in the host communities, and we will work closely with your office to ensure successful mobilization when the exercise is rescheduled,” she said.
Obongi District Chief Administrative Officer Benson Otim Humphrey confirmed receiving the communication and said the district had informed community leaders and residents about the postponement.
Otim said the district appreciates the need to prioritize public health during the Ebola outbreak and welcomed the decision to delay the exercise until conditions improve.
“While many residents were looking forward to benefiting from the registration clinic, the safety of our people must come first. We appreciate URSB for taking precautionary measures and keeping the district informed,” Humphrey said.
He urged community members to remain vigilant and continue observing all Ebola prevention guidelines issued by health authorities.
“We encourage our communities to follow the guidance from the Ministry of Health and local leaders as we wait for the situation to stabilize. Once new dates are communicated, we shall mobilize residents to participate fully in the registration exercise,” he noted.
The postponement comes at a time when government agencies and development partners are intensifying efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak through public awareness campaigns, enhanced surveillance, contact tracing, and restrictions on activities that could increase the risk of transmission.