After 3 addresses in a space of 2 weeks, Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Saturday instituted measures that will limit movements in a bid to curb the spread of Ebola in the country. “Fellow Countrymen, Countrywomen and Foreign Residents in Uganda, I have come back, the third time, to talk to you about the Ebola outbreak that we have in the districts of Mubende, Kyegegwa, Kassanda, Kagadi and Bunyangabu,” the President began his address on Saturday, stating that the country had registered 58 total confirmed cases and out of these 19 people had succumbed to the disease. “So far, 20 people have recovered from Ebola,” he reassured the country.
The latest outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus was announced by Uganda’s Ministry of Health on 21 September 2022. Uganda has had at least six previous episodes of Ebola in 2000 (224 dead), 2007 (37 dead), 2011 (1 dead), two events in 2012 (21 dead) and 2019 (4 dead). The recently confirmed cases are of the less deadly Sudan strain.
According to Mr Museveni, while the disease is controllable, the behaviour of Ugandans is subjecting the population to unnecessary exposure. “Last time, I spoke to you about some people that were difficult, lying to us, hijacking dead bodies and moving from district to district including coming to Kampala City. This movement and deceit has not changed and the risk of spreading Ebola to other parts of the country remains very high,” he stated, explaining that besides Ebola being highly infectious and deadly, it also affects the economy and tourism industry. “If not adequately controlled, Ebola may spread beyond Uganda.”
The President explained the latest threat of an outbreak saying: “Ebola cases have continued to increase in the communities of Mubende and Kassanda districts. You have heard about the 3 individuals that escaped from Mubende and came to Kampala – Twagiira Yezu, his wife – Mutoni and another person from Kassanda.”
He further narrated that the two most affected districts experience a lot of movement because of mining purposes, family relationships, culture and traditions, which has led to the spread of Ebola to other districts i.e. Kyegegwa, Kagadi and Bunyangabu.
It is because of the above that the government instituted what Mr Museveni called extra measures that require action from all Ugandans. He directed that movements into and out of Mubende and Kassanda Districts is prohibited, also prohibiting movement from Kassanda to Mubende and vice versa. The President also instituted curfew in the two districts starting from 7:00pm to 6:00am, among other measures announced. Meanwhile the government will keep an eye on the capital city Kampala to observe a full mobilization of the City into a response mode.
In sports, Uganda’s super league giants Vipers SC defied the odds to upstage TP Mazembe in the second leg of the second preliminary round of the 2022/23 CAF Champions League. The Kitende-based outfit required a goalless first and second half followed by a successful 2-4 penalty shoot-out to seal the victory.
The visitors often threatened Abdu Lumala’s shot outside the 18-yard box hit the post and a beautiful delivery from Yunus Sentamu was missed by Milton Karisa, reports the UG Standard, a local online publication. In the 74th minute, goalkeeper Alfred Mudekereza saved as well to deny TP Mazembe’s Rainford Kalaba. After the mandatory 90 minutes, the referee immediately signalled time for penalties.
TP Mazembe’s Tandi Mwape skied the initial penalty while Vipers’ Bright Anukani scored for a 0-1 score. Ernest Luzolo eventually found the back of the net but Disan Galiwango ensured a 1-2 margin.
TP Mazembe’s Glody Likonza further dented his team’s hopes when he placed the ball wide, Ashraf Mandela capitalizing for a 1-3 score in favour of Vipers SC.
Tigray’s rebel forces in northern Ethiopia region have called on the international community to enforce an immediate ceasefire between them and the Ethiopian Government or help them defend themselves, the group said in a statement on Twitter. The BBC has reported
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) called on the international community to “compel the Eritrean army to withdraw from Tigray” and “press the Ethiopian government to come to the negotiating table”.
Eritrea, an ally of the Ethiopian government, has been aiding its neighbour in the fight against the rebel forces.
The TPLF said it would be forced to fight on if nothing was done.
It said it was ready to respect “an immediate cessation of hostilities” if the Ethiopian Government were compelled to negotiate for peace.
Earlier, the African Union (AU) called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the group and Ethiopian forces amid renewed fighting in the north.
Kenya’s President William Ruto has disbanded an elite police unit which has allegedly been linked to extrajudicial killings in the country in recent years. The President, who came to office in September, said the move was part of efforts to overhaul the country’s security sector.
He told a church congregation on Sunday: “I am the one who ordered that the Special Service Unit that was conducting extrajudicial killings be disbanded. We have a plan on how to secure this country so that we avoid the shame of Kenyans killed [elsewhere and bodies dumped] in Yala River and others. We are going to change this country for the better.” The BBC quotes the President on Sunday. Kenya’s Daily Nation newspaper said an investigation report on the disappearance of two Indian nationals and their local taxi driver precipitated the disbandment of the unit.
