By Sr.Sarah Muhindo
The Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau (UCMB), in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the Diocese of Kasese, has launched a district-wide public awareness campaign to strengthen community preparedness and prevent the spread of Ebola disease.
The campaign comes in response to the recent Ebola outbreak in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has raised concerns among health authorities due to Kasese District’s shared border with the DRC. Because of the frequent cross-border movement of people for trade, family visits, and other social activities, Kasese remains one of the districts at the highest risk of importing the disease.
The primary objective of the campaign is to educate the public about Ebola, its signs and symptoms, modes of transmission, preventive measures, and the importance of seeking immediate medical attention whenever a suspected case is identified. Community members are also being encouraged to report suspected cases promptly to the nearest health facility and to avoid direct contact with anyone showing symptoms of the disease.
Through this initiative, the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau, Catholic Relief Services, and the Diocese of Kasese aim to reach every corner of the district, particularly rural and hard-to-reach communities where access to health information is often limited. Health educators, community mobilisers, and religious leaders are conducting sensitisation meetings, distributing information materials, and using local media platforms to ensure that accurate and timely information reaches the grassroots population.
The campaign also emphasises the importance of practising good hygiene, including regular handwashing with soap and clean water, avoiding unnecessary physical contact with sick individuals, and adhering to guidance issued by health authorities.
Speaking during the launch of the campaign, organisers stressed that community awareness is one of the most effective tools in preventing the spread of Ebola. They called upon residents to remain vigilant, cooperate with health workers, and avoid spreading misinformation that could undermine efforts to contain the disease.
The Diocese of Kasese reaffirmed its commitment to supporting government and health partners in protecting communities from public health threats. By working together with Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau and Catholic Relief Services, the Diocese hopes to build a well-informed and prepared population capable of responding effectively should any suspected Ebola cases arise.
The awareness campaign is expected to cover all sub-counties, towns, border communities, schools, churches, markets, and other public gathering places across Kasese District, ensuring that people at the grassroots are equipped with the knowledge needed to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from Ebola.
