Uganda, February 10, 2025: Uganda faces a growing public health crisis with an Ebola (Sudan strain) outbreak declared on January 30, alongside existing MPOX and cholera outbreaks. So far, 9 confirmed Ebola cases and 265 quarantined contacts have been reported, with 62% of them being health workers. 

“This is a critical moment for Uganda. Rapid and coordinated action is essential to contain the outbreak and protect at-risk communities,” said Francis Shanty Odokorach, Oxfam in Uganda Country Director. 

Oxfam has developed a 750,000-Euro Ebola response plan that aligns with the Ministry of Health. The plan focuses on IPC—WaSH, Risk Communication, Community Engagement, and community-based surveillance—following the Ministry of Health structures and guidelines. So far, 51,282 Euros have been secured from DG-ECHO, leaving a funding gap of 698,718 Euros. 

With this DG-ECHO support, Oxfam and the Uganda Red Cross Society have activated crisis intervention measures to contain the transmission, mortality, and mobility of the deadly virus among the vulnerable people in the Mt. Elgon Region. 

The initiative will be implemented over the next three months to improve Infection Prevention and control (IPC) through WaSH, enhance capacity through risk communication and community engagement, establish community-based surveillance, and address misinformation.

Key intervention measures include installing handwashing facilities in strategic locations like health centres, quarantine stations, and public areas. Additionally, the initiative will distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline workers and provide essential sanitation supplies, such as chlorine, soap, and hand sanitizers. 

Community engagement efforts will be enhanced through door-to-door outreach, radio broadcasts, mobile cinema campaigns, and the distribution of educational materials to ensure the public is well-informed about prevention and response measures. Local leaders will play a crucial role in sharing accurate information and combating misinformation that undermines adherence to safety protocols.

To enhance surveillance efforts, Oxfam and its partners will provide refresher training for local health volunteers and deploy Community-Based Surveillance (CBS) teams to improve data collection and reporting of suspected cases. Additionally, mechanisms for tracking rumors will be established to address misconceptions and myths surrounding Ebola, ensuring that communities have access to verified information.

“We are currently mobilizing additional funds to enhance our response efforts in all high-risk areas identified by the Ministry of Health, including Kampala City, Wakiso District, Mukono District (in Central Uganda), Mbale District, Mbale City, Iganga District, Jinja City, and Jinja District (in Eastern Uganda).” added Francis Shanty Odokorach.
Immediate support is needed to prevent further spread. 

Notes to editors:

About the crisis modifier: Oxfam, in partnership with the Uganda Red Cross Society and Caritas Tororo under DG-ECHO funding, is currently implementing a project focused on early warning and early action: strengthening multi-hazard disaster preparedness in the Mt. Elgon region. The project includes a crisis modifier component that can be activated during an emergency. Since the Ministry of Health has identified the region as one of the areas at risk for Ebola, Oxfam and its partners, with approval from DG-ECHO, activated the modifier to implement targeted measures for a rapid response, focusing on hygiene, community engagement, and early detection.