KAMPALA, Uganda — In a renewed effort to contain the spread of Ebola, the government has issued strict public health measures targeting residents of Kampala Metropolitan Area and other high-risk districts.
The directives, issued in a circular by the Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine, were addressed to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), local governments, cultural and religious institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, private sector actors, event organisers and the general public.
According to Dr Atwine, the measures are intended to reduce opportunities for person-to-person contact that could facilitate transmission in the event of exposure to an infected individual.
The restrictions include a ban on music concerts, entertainment shows, cultural festivals, public celebrations and commemorative events. Also prohibited are political rallies, mobilisation gatherings, marathons, road races, walkathons and similar activities involving prolonged physical interaction and crowding.
Other suspended activities include border-related social, market and commercial gatherings that may attract uncontrolled crowds, as well as community celebrations and recreational events.
Any non-essential gathering where infection prevention and control measures cannot be guaranteed has also been barred.
“These activities increase risk by promoting close physical interaction, uncontrolled crowd mixing and unnecessary movement, which may facilitate transmission of Ebola infection where an infected person is present,” the circular states.
However, Dr Atwine noted that essential and institutional gatherings may proceed only under strict adherence to Ministry of Health Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Such permitted meetings must be held in controlled venues with organised seating and adequate spacing to reduce close contact. Participants are required to avoid unnecessary mingling before, during and after events, while attendance must be limited to essential persons only.
The guidelines further require proper ventilation, regular sanitation of facilities using approved disinfectants such as JIK or bleach, and provision of alcohol-based sanitizers or handwashing stations with soap and running water.
All participants must wash or sanitise hands upon entry and exit, while mandatory temperature screening will be enforced at all venues.
Members of the public have also been urged to avoid physical greetings such as handshakes and hugging, and to refrain from sharing personal items including phones, pens, utensils and drinking containers.
In addition, the public is advised to maintain high levels of personal hygiene, including regular handwashing and sanitisation, particularly when accessing public spaces.
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“All organisers of permitted gatherings shall ensure full compliance with Ministry of Health Infection Prevention and Control measures,” Dr Atwine said.
She added that organisers must ensure availability of sanitation facilities, routine cleaning and disinfection of venues, crowd control, adherence to spacing guidelines, and immediate reporting of any suspected illness among participants.
Security agencies and district authorities have been directed to strictly enforce the directives, especially in border and high-risk districts, to limit non-essential movement and reduce the risk of transmission.
“Any individual or institution found in violation of these directives shall be subject to appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the National Public Health Act and Regulations,” the circular warns.
