The Ugandan government has moved to calm public concern over the Ebola situation, confirming that schools across the country remain open and no district is under lockdown despite confirmed Ebola cases linked to cross-border travel from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The clarification comes amid increased public anxiety and a wave of misleading social media posts claiming that learning institutions had been shut down.
In a statement released Monday through the Uganda Media Centre, officials said the country’s response remains focused on containment, surveillance, and public awareness, with no evidence of community transmission at this stage.
The reassurance follows speculation online after Uganda confirmed nine Ebola cases connected to travelers from the DRC. Authorities say the cases are being managed under strict monitoring protocols, while more than 500 contacts are currently being traced and observed.
Dr Dennis Mugimba, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education and Sports, said all education institutions remain operational and students should continue reporting normally.
“Please ignore videos and social media messages speculating about the closure of educational institutions. Only trust information from authorised government sources as you continue with normal learning routines safely,” Mugimba stated
Schools reopened last week with strengthened safety measures including temperature screening at entrances, handwashing stations, and increased health surveillance.
Health officials say Uganda’s strategy remains centered on early detection and prevention, especially in border areas with strong movement between Uganda and eastern DRC.
Border surveillance has been tightened as authorities work to prevent further imported cases, while health teams continue monitoring contacts connected to the confirmed infections.
Officials emphasized that Uganda is not under lockdown and no district has been closed off, despite heightened health preparedness.
The Ministry says the current measures are precautionary and aimed at containing the outbreak before wider spread occurs.
Government agencies are also warning the public against relying on unverified videos and social media content, which they say have fueled unnecessary panic in recent days.
Authorities are urging Ugandans to follow updates issued through the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, and official government communication channels.
As monitoring continues, the government says schools, businesses, and public services will continue operating normally while health teams remain on alert.
With surveillance ongoing and no confirmed community transmission reported, Uganda’s immediate focus remains on controlling imported Ebola cases while maintaining public confidence and keeping essential services running safely.
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