Three months after the deadly Ebola virus first ravaged Uganda, President Museveni declared the nation to be Ebola-free.
After 56 deaths and 142 new cases of Ebola were reported, the authorities closed off the Mubende and Kassanda districts, which were considered to be the epicentres of the epidemic.
Ebola has been eradicated. Our victory against Ebola is complete. Why? The reason for this is that the general public has heard what we have to say. Simple. All of the doctors and nurses were wonderful. While delivering his national speech yesterday, the President said that medical personnel would be deserving of medals in light of their constant frontline service in the fight against the Corona [virus] and Ebola.
Following World Health Organisation rules, a region can be said to be free of Ebola after 42 days have passed without a new case being reported.
After many days of not getting any new Ebola patients, the two worst-affected areas were finally let out of lockdown on Saturday.
President Museveni said that the number of people who died from Ebola in Uganda wasn’t nearly as high as in other countries like Sierra Leone, where hundreds were murdered over the course of more than two years.
The President has said that although Ebola has been defeated, the nation is now facing an increase in malaria infections that have resulted in over 2,489 deaths in only 10 months. Last year, the illness claimed the lives of 2,773 individuals.
Malaria is also on the rise. Museveni said that “the number of people dying from malaria is equal to the number of persons dying from COVID-19.”
The anopheles mosquito spreads the disease when it feeds on a person who has already been affected.
The President of Uganda said that 14.3 million Ugandans had been afflicted with malaria since the beginning of the year, up from 11.3 million in 2021.
Seventy-five districts, he claimed, are particularly affected by malaria, with Yumbe, Tororo, Adjumani, Kamuli, and Agago being the worst. There are several places in Uganda, including Kampala and the Wakiso District, where malaria is a major problem.
He said more people were getting malaria because they weren’t taking precautions like using mosquito nets and getting rid of standing water and shrubs surrounding their houses.
More than 21 million treated mosquito nets were distributed by the government to households.
The government frequently supplies mosquito nets, but their low rate of usage is a major contributing factor. On the other hand, only around 70% of people regularly use mosquito nets. “I mean, what are our options?” he pondered.
He suggested that Ugandans sleep beneath treated mosquito nets and get rid of any standing water or vegetation that may harbour mosquitoes.
He expressed concern about the increasing number of new HIV infections among young adults (15–24) and advised health officials to step up their efforts to dissuade individuals from engaging in protected sexual behaviour.
Museveni addressed the problem of crime by stating that individual criminals and ADF rebels carried out assaults on police installations, but that those responsible were either apprehended or executed.
To commit crimes in Uganda while the National Resistance Movement is in power and expect to stay alive is “very dumb,” he remarked. Those who “murder others” will be arrested or killed if they resist arrest, he said.
Museveni said that the crime scenes were full of clues that helped catch the attackers.
He reassured the public that there was no need to be afraid of these organizations since the military and police would handle the situation.