Government Extends Ebola Lockdown

By Namale Hajara

The government of Uganda has extended the lockdown in the Districts of Kassanda and Mubende by 21 days to continue the fight against the spread of Ebola.

In a national address she delivered on the pandemic on behalf of the President, Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, explained that the move was intended to further minimize the spread of this disease within these two most affected Districts.

This, she argued would protect the rest of the country from further exposure. But Dr. Aceng has reassured the nation that the government is doing everything to end the pandemic.

Since the health ministry first declared an Ebola outbreak in the central district of Mubende, the disease has since found its way into Kampala and is threatening other districts if not contained.

‘I want to reassure the country that the government is doing all that is possible to control the outbreak therefore. There is no need for anxiety and panic” she said adding that, “the health workers too are doing all they can to stop the pandemic.’’

Dr. Aceng has also appealed to the people of Kampala metropolitan area to cooperate and avoid spreading the disease further by following the ministry of health guidelines.

Residents of Mubende Municipal Council want the President to consider their economic plight and relax the lockdown.

Ms. Betty Nanyunjja, a resident of West Division in Mubende Municipality, claims that her roadside business which depends on travelers is closed.

She said the business is the major source of her family income.

“I have told my family members to fast and pray that the 21-day lockdown imposed on Mubende and Kassanda districts is lifted by the President. We have no alternative source of income,” she said.

But Ms. Rosemary Byabasaija, the Resident District Commissioner and chairperson of the District Ebola Taskforce noted that the lockdown reduced positive Ebola cases registered at the treatment units in Mubende.

“I believe that once the residents understand the message behind the lockdown, the cases could go to zero and Mubende will be free. I cannot guess the period but I believe that we are on the right track,” she said.

According to the Mubende District Taskforce, the Ebola treatment unit has registered only two positive cases in the last four days.

The other cases registered at the unit are from Kassanda and the other neighboring districts, the taskforce Chairperson revealed in an interview on Wednesday.

Ebola has claimed 45 lives since September 20 when the outbreak was declared.

Currently, 132 cumulative cases have been confirmed with 51 cumulative deaths and 61 recoveries.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday said the country had registered over 150 confirmed and probable cases, including 64 fatalities.

Ebola is spread through bodily fluids, with common symptoms being fever, vomiting, bleeding and diarrhea.