Uganda Assures Diplomats Of Strong Ebola Response, No Local Transmission

The Ministry of Health has reassured diplomats and development partners that Uganda remains safe and has not registered any local transmission of Ebola despite ongoing regional concerns over the disease.

During a high-level meeting convened this morning by Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine, Ambassadors, Heads of Missions and Development Partners were briefed on the country’s Ebola preparedness and response measures.

Dr. Atwine emphasized the importance of coordination among all stakeholders, calling for adherence to “one plan, one budget and one Monitoring and Evaluation framework” in managing the response.

She further called for mutual accountability, transparency and clear communication with Government to ensure an effective and harmonized approach in combating the disease.

Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine

The Permanent Secretary also reaffirmed Uganda’s readiness to support the Democratic Republic of Congo with technical expertise gained from previous Ebola outbreaks to help reduce transmission and save lives.

“Uganda will never export Ebola; that is our commitment and pledge. We must support our neighbors in putting up systems,” Dr. Atwine said.

Following a detailed technical briefing on Uganda’s ongoing Ebola response, several heads of missions reportedly commended the Government for its transparency and the quality of its response mechanisms.

The meeting comes amid heightened regional surveillance after Uganda confirmed two imported Ebola cases — one fatality and another patient currently responding well to treatment under close medical supervision.

Health authorities maintain that there is currently no community transmission within Uganda and that the country remains safe.