Kampala — The Ministry of Education and Sports has dismissed reports that the government is considering closing schools due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak, insisting that learning institutions will remain open while implementing strict disease prevention measures.
The clarification comes amid growing public concern and widespread social media claims suggesting that authorities were preparing to shut down schools and possibly impose broader restrictions as the Ebola situation evolves.
Education officials have instead directed schools across the country to strengthen surveillance and strictly enforce Ebola Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the government.
According to the ministry, there is currently no justification for suspending classes, and schools are expected to continue operating normally while observing all health guidelines.
The ministry has instructed school administrators to ensure mandatory handwashing, temperature screening at entry points, routine monitoring of learners and staff, and immediate reporting of suspected Ebola cases to health authorities.
Schools have also been advised to isolate any learner, teacher or visitor who develops symptoms consistent with Ebola and to immediately alert district health teams.
The government’s position means that educational institutions will remain open as authorities continue to monitor the outbreak and assess the public health risk.
Ministry of Education and Sports spokesperson Dennis Mugimba has called on education stakeholders to “ignore speculation on closure of schools,” and instead observe standard operating guidelines.
“Please ignore videos and social media messages speculating about closure of Education Institutions of Learning. Parents and Heads of Institutions of Learning are urged to remain vigilant and observe the SOPs as released by the Ministry of Health,” wrote Mugimba.
“Only trust information from authorized by Government of Uganda sources as you continue with normal learning routines in a safe manner.”
The clarification follows days of speculation on social media that the government was preparing to close schools following an increase in confirmed Ebola infections.
Health officials have repeatedly urged the public to disregard unverified information and rely only on official government communication regarding the outbreak.
As of June 2, Uganda had recorded 15 confirmed Ebola cases, including one death and two recoveries, according to the Ministry of Health. Six of the latest infections were identified among contacts of previously confirmed patients, bringing the total number of cases in the country from nine to fifteen. Twelve patients remained under medical care as health authorities intensified contact tracing and surveillance efforts.
The current outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which was first detected in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo before spreading into Uganda through cross-border movement. The World Health Organization has classified the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to the risk of regional spread.
Schools reopened for the second term at the end of last month under heightened health surveillance, with education officials directing administrators to reactivate health committees and ensure adequate supplies of water, soap and sanitation materials.
The government says schools remain critical platforms for public health education and awareness, helping millions of learners understand Ebola symptoms, transmission risks and preventive measures.
Under the guidelines, all visitors to schools are expected to undergo screening, while institutions are required to maintain records that can support contact tracing if a suspected case emerges.
Despite concerns surrounding the outbreak, authorities maintain that the situation remains under control and that closure of schools is not being considered at this time. Parents, teachers and learners have been urged to remain vigilant, observe the recommended health measures and seek information only from official government sources.
You can read about the official government response to reports of plan to close schools, and Ebola SOPs for education institutions Here and There.
