Buganda Kingdom, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched a committee to monitor disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies across the Kingdom.
The committee was unveiled at Bulange, Mengo, during a meeting where officials from the Ministry of Health briefed Kingdom leaders on the country’s Ebola situation and the progress made in containing the outbreak.
The newly established committee will be chaired by Buganda Minister for Information, Mobilisation and Kingdom Spokesperson Israel Kazibwe Kitooke.
Other members include the Minister responsible for Local Government, Joseph Kawuki, Patrick Ssembajwe, and other Kingdom officials.
Launching the committee on behalf of the Kingdom, the Second Deputy Katikkiro, Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, commended the Ministry of Health for its efforts in responding to disease outbreaks, saying the interventions have played a key role in protecting Ugandans.
“We appreciate the Ministry of Health for its commitment to fighting disease outbreaks. The measures put in place have greatly helped to protect Ugandans,” Nsibirwa said.
Nsibirwa also urged Buganda chiefs to report individuals involved in the sale of monkeys and bushmeat to security authorities, warning that such practices could contribute to the spread of diseases such as Ebola.
He pledged that the Kingdom would continue strengthening its partnership with the Ministry of Health to improve healthcare delivery across Buganda.
“We call upon our chiefs to report anyone selling monkeys and other bushmeat to the security agencies because these practices contribute to the spread of Ebola. The Kingdom will continue working closely with the Ministry of Health to promote better health services in Buganda,” he said.
Representing the Ministry of Health, the Commissioner for Health Promotion, Education and Communication, Richard Kabanda, reassured the public that there was no need for panic, saying the government has put in place measures to control Ebola.
“Ugandans should not panic. The Ministry of Health has put in place effective interventions to contain Ebola, and we are making significant progress in controlling the outbreak,” Dr Kabanda said.
Dr Kabanda also urged communities to stop washing the bodies of people who die from Ebola, warning that the practice increases the risk of further transmission.
“Families that lose loved ones to Ebola should avoid washing the bodies because this practice has contributed to the continued spread of the disease,” he added.
The new committee is expected to strengthen community engagement, improve disease surveillance and enhance coordination between Buganda Kingdom structures, health authorities and development partners in responding to public health threats.