The Ministry of Health has issued fresh public health guidelines targeting concerts, promotional events and other large gatherings as Uganda steps up efforts to prevent the spread of Ebola amid heightened regional risk.
Health officials warned that unstructured events attracting large crowds may be halted if organisers fail to implement adequate public health measures.
The directive comes as authorities tighten surveillance following confirmed Ebola cases linked to cross-border movement from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“Concerts and promotional activities that bring together many people in an unstructured manner shall not be allowed to go on,” said Dr Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health.
The ministry directed organisers of public events to enforce strict preventive measures, including mandatory handwashing, provision of sanitisation points, and reduction of unnecessary physical contact among attendees.
Event planners are required to ensure the availability of handwashing facilities and sanitiser stations throughout venues, while also encouraging the public to avoid overcrowding and close physical interaction during gatherings.
Government officials said the measures are legally enforceable under Uganda’s Public Health Act, which empowers health authorities to introduce restrictions necessary to protect the public during disease outbreaks.
“The Public Health Act gives us full authority to protect the public,” the ministry stated, underscoring the legal basis for enforcement.
Uganda has in recent weeks intensified border screening, contact tracing and surveillance, particularly in districts along the frontier with the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola has been reported.
Public health experts have warned that large gatherings present a heightened risk of transmission, especially in environments where physical contact is unavoidable and crowd control is limited.
Ebola virus disease is a severe haemorrhagic illness transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, severe weakness and, in some cases, internal bleeding.
The Ministry of Health has urged the public to remain vigilant, observe hygiene protocols and cooperate fully with health workers as efforts continue to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread within Uganda.
