The risk of Ebola spreading into Arua City from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo remains high due to illegal cross-border movement and declining public adherence to preventive measures, health and security officials have warned.
Although Uganda was declared Ebola-free in July, officials say many people have abandoned standard preventive practices such as regular handwashing, increasing the risk of importing the disease from across the border. Arua City is one of the local government areas bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) outbreak continues to worsen.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the DRC had recorded 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths as of July 30, 2026. The WHO says the outbreak has expanded beyond Ituri Province to five provinces—Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé and Tshopo—affecting 49 health zones as transmission continues to intensify.
Arua City Health Officer Dr. Pontious Apangu urged residents to remain vigilant by observing preventive measures, including regular handwashing with soap, and immediately reporting suspected Ebola cases or deaths, especially those involving unexplained bleeding.
“Much as Uganda has no case, our neighbours are still experiencing a rise in the epidemic. It still requires us to remain on standby and stay alert. Cross-border movement must continue to be regulated, screening at border points must continue, and rapid response teams, surveillance and case management must all be intensified,” Apangu said.
City Health Educator Bernard Amanga called for continuous community sensitisation, saying Arua remains vulnerable because of its proximity to the Democratic Republic of Congo and the increasing number of infections across the border.
Officials say the challenge is compounded by more than 180 porous crossing points along the Uganda-DRC border, where travellers can enter the country without health screening or observing Ebola prevention measures. Security authorities acknowledged that the illegal crossings continue to undermine disease surveillance despite ongoing efforts to strengthen border monitoring.
Assistant Resident City Commissioner for Ayivu Division Polly Ongom said security personnel have been deployed to support health teams, although limited manpower makes it difficult to monitor every unofficial crossing point. He said security agencies are also working with health officials to sensitise border communities on Ebola prevention and encourage behavioural change.
Meanwhile, Arua City Senior Communications Officer Dorothy Anguparu said the city remains on high alert and has maintained its Ebola preparedness systems. She said the Ebola isolation unit at Oli Health Centre IV remains operational and plans are underway to expand it into a regional isolation facility for West Nile as part of broader epidemic preparedness efforts.
Phillip Katabarwa, the Ministry of Health’s Team Leader for Bundibugyo Virus Disease Situation Awareness, urged communities in border districts to remain vigilant, report suspected cases promptly, and strengthen local surveillance systems.
On July 28, 2026, Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi officially declared Uganda Ebola-free after the country’s last confirmed patient was discharged on June 16 following full recovery. Uganda recorded 20 confirmed cases during the outbreak, including two deaths. Of the confirmed cases, 15 were imported while five resulted from local transmission.
Ebola Virus Disease is a severe and often fatal viral illness that affects humans and other primates. The virus is transmitted from infected wild animals to humans and subsequently spreads through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of infected people, or through contaminated materials such as clothing and bedding-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
