Wakiso District is seeking 2 billion shillings to strengthen its Ebola preparedness and response efforts as high-risk districts across Uganda race to contain the spread of Ebola Virus Disease following the confirmation of five new cases within just two days.
Earlier, when only two cases had been confirmed, the Ministry of Health Uganda had urged the public to remain calm, stating that the country was close to being Ebola-free after the only confirmed patient — a Congolese national receiving treatment in Uganda — recovered and tested negative for the virus.
However, by Monday, the ministry had intensified its response and identified 36 districts as high-risk for Ebola transmission, particularly districts bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the current outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain originated.
Kampala, where Uganda’s first confirmed Ebola case was detected, and neighboring Wakiso District were also listed among the high-risk areas.
According to Alex Kakeeto, Wakiso District has already registered suspected Ebola cases.
He said that by Friday, health teams had received, isolated, and collected samples from five individuals presenting key Ebola symptoms.
By Monday, two of the samples had tested negative. However, Kakeeto noted that since the district activated its Ebola notification desk last week, health authorities have been receiving up to 20 alerts daily, a significant burden for a district that has not yet recorded a confirmed case.
Meanwhile, Frank Kalyango, the district coordinator for public health emergencies, said the proposed budget would support surveillance, emergency response, and preparedness activities.
Kalyango, who also oversees research in the district, warned that funding requirements could rise further with schools reopening and the number of Ebola cases continuing to increase.
By Our Reporter
25th May 2026
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