No Lockdown Over Ebola — Museveni Declares

Uganda’s President Gen Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni has ruled out declaration of a lockdown to contain the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). 

In his first address since an Ebola outbreak was declared last week, Gen Museveni said it was unnecessary to impose a lockdown to prevent the spread of EVD.

Speaking from Nakasero in the capital Kampala on the evening of Wednesday, September 28, 2022, the president was in company of Ministry of Health (MoH) officials led by Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng.

Museveni explained that Ebola symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 21 days after contact with the virus, with an average of eight to 10 days.

He added that the course of the illness typically progresses from initial ‘dry symptoms’ such as fever, aches, pains, and fatigue before progressing to ‘wet symptoms’ such as diarrhoea  and vomiting, making the person weaker and sicker.

The president also called on Ugandans to seek treatment as early as they experience these symptoms to increase their chances of surviving this viral hemorrhagic disease.

He also promised to return to address the nation on the possibility of a vaccine for Ebola. Noting that the Zaire strain vaccine was available, Museveni said the scientists would advise on whether this can be administered to offer immunity against the Sudan strain of Ebola that is currently spreading in Uganda.

The president then gave his position on fears that a lockdown would be put in place.

“With the outbreak of Ebola, lockdowns are not necessary. We just need to take care of a few things,” he said. 

“I want to reassure Ugandans that government has the capacity to control this Ebola outbreak and therefore there is no need for anxiety or restriction of movement, unnecessary closure of public places like schools, markets, and places of worship as of now.”

Meanwhile, a patient who escaped from Mubende Hospital isolation unit has collapsed while another has reportedly escaped to Tanzania. (Read Story Here).

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