More than a decade after Bundibugyo district endured one of Uganda’s most devastating Ebola outbreaks, survivors say the scars of the epidemic have never fully healed.
Many are now battling persistent post-Ebola complications and accuse government of abandoning them in their time of need.
Survivors — among them health workers, teachers, and civil servants who once stood on the frontlines — report long-standing health problems they believe are linked to the virus.
These include severe eye complications, hypertension, chronic body weakness, and reduced physical productivity, which have significantly affected their livelihoods.
Ezekiel Kisughu, a Nursing Officer at Bundibugyo Hospital and survivor, says some of the conditions have continued to worsen over the years, yet no structured medical follow-up has ever been done.
“We defeated Ebola, but it left us with problems we didn’t expect. Many of us have eye issues, and some can hardly work as before. We feel forgotten,” Kisughu explains.
Rev. Hezekiah Bukombi, another survivor, echoes the same frustration, noting that the lack of consistent medical support has left many suffering silently.
“Our bodies weakened after the infection, and life has never been the same. We need help,” he adds.
The survivors argue that despite having risked their lives during the epidemic — some losing colleagues and family members — the government has not provided specialised care or compensation to ease their difficult circumstances.
Swaib Byamaka, a secondary school teacher and survivor, says some survivors can no longer manage their daily work responsibilities.
“You wake up tired, your eyesight failing, and you’re expected to teach and provide. It’s painful. Many of us can’t earn like we used to,” he narrates.
Byamaka adds that survivors want government to offer medical assessments, specialised treatment, livelihood support, and compensation for families that lost loved ones in the fight against the epidemic.
“We are not asking for luxury. We are asking for care, for attention, for recognition of what we went through,” he stresses.
However, Bundibugyo Deputy Resident District Commissioner Marysent Ariyo Abine, while acknowledging the survivors’ plight, says the government cannot commit to special intervention without concrete medical evidence linking the reported complications to Ebola.
“We sympathize with the survivors, but there is no scientific confirmation that the conditions they are experiencing are directly caused by the Ebola they survived,” she said.
Still, survivors insist that their struggles are real and deserve urgent attention. They are calling on the Ministry of Health and relevant government agencies to conduct fresh medical investigations and provide long-overdue support.
As many continue to slip deeper into health and financial difficulties, the question remains: how long will Bundibugyo’s Ebola survivors continue to suffer in silence?