You Can’t Hide from Ebola Once You Contract It – Museveni to Ugandans

In a televisised address to the nation Wednesday evening, President Yoweri Museveni began by clarifying the numbers of confirmed cases of Ebola, fatalities and recoveries.

I have come back to talk to you about the Ebola outbreak. Today, 12th October 2022, marks the 23rd day since we declared the Ebola outbreak in the country. There have been 54 confirmed cases, 20 recoveries and 19 deaths.

The president urged people who suspect to have Ebola to head to hospital instead of going into hiding.

Forget about running, once you get Ebola, even if you fly. Fortunately

Museveni warned traditional healers and religious leaders against handling suspected Ebola victims, he said Ebola can only handled by health workers who also have to be in protective gear. The president advised health workers to always protect themselves irrespective of the patient they are handling.

There is no witchcraft here, Ebola is a disease. The communities in the affected areas should know that Ebola is deadly and spreads through contact with an infected person.

The president revealed that Uganda will receive Ebola vaccines, but all will go to health workers since they are the ones who are always exposed. Museveni squashed the fears that Kampala city has been invaded by Ebola following the death of a confirmed case at Kiruddu Hospital.

There is no confirmed case of Ebola in Kampala city. A confirmed case from Mubende was registered at Kiruddu Hospital and died. All contacts to this case are under control.

President Museveni blamed the increase in cases to people who do not listen. He urged boda boda riders not to carry patients as this is a risk to them. The president also highlighted the high-risk areas with Mubende on top.

Mubende, Kasanda, Kagadi, Bunyangabu and Kyegegwa are in category one (high-risk areas). Kampala and Wakiso are in category two, and the rest of the country is in category three (low risk).

The president urged Ugandans to remain calm and follow the Ministry of health guidelines, and urged Ugandans to stop shaking hands