KAMPALA, Uganda — Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine has urged hotel owners and other private sector players to maintain proper records of guests staying at their facilities, saying the practice is critical for disease outbreak response and security.

Speaking during a meeting with members of the private sector on Friday, Atwine said accurate guest records would help health authorities trace contacts and identify people who may have been exposed to infectious diseases during an epidemic.

She emphasised that hotels and other accommodation facilities could play an important role in strengthening public health surveillance by ensuring that information about guests is properly documented and accessible to relevant authorities when needed.

Contact tracing is an important component of epidemic management, enabling health teams to identify and follow up people who may have come into contact with confirmed cases, helping to limit further transmission.

Atwine also revealed the security benefits of maintaining guest records, noting that the information could assist relevant authorities when tracing individuals in connection with security concerns.

Her remarks highlight the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors in strengthening Uganda’s preparedness for public health emergencies, particularly as the country continues to focus on disease prevention, surveillance and response.

The call places accommodation providers among the private sector stakeholders whose routine record-keeping practices can support both public health protection and security efforts.