The Ministry of Health, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has announced plans to work more closely with traditional institutions to strengthen Ebola prevention and response efforts across the country.
The initiative was highlighted during a courtesy visit by a joint Ministry of Health and UNDP delegation to Bulange Mengo, where officials met leaders of Buganda Kingdom.
Dr Richard Kabanda said traditional institutions play a vital role in reaching communities and promoting public health messages, noting that their involvement will help improve awareness and encourage adherence to Ebola prevention measures.
He urged communities to avoid practices that could increase the risk of transmission, including the exhumation of bodies, warning that handling human remains during outbreaks poses serious health risks.
“Traditional institutions have a strong influence within communities and are key partners in supporting government efforts to prevent the spread of Ebola,” Dr Kabanda said.
The Second Deputy Katikkiro of Buganda, Waggwa Nsibirwa, welcomed the partnership and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to working with government and development partners in disease prevention efforts.
He announced the appointment of Oweki Israel Kitooke to head a committee tasked with coordinating community sensitisation and supporting Ebola prevention activities within the Kingdom structures.
Nsibirwa urged subjects of the Kingdom to comply with government health guidelines and public health regulations aimed at controlling disease outbreaks and safeguarding lives.
He noted that Buganda, as a central region, has a key role to play in supporting national public health interventions and outbreak response efforts.
Health officials said Uganda has recorded 20 Ebola cases, including 15 linked to infections originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo and five involving health workers. They added that surveillance, community awareness and prevention measures are being intensified to contain the situation.
