Uganda’s Museveni assures Ebola under control to attract tourism

President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has given his words that that the Ebola outbreak in the East African nation will be brought under control as some foreign visitors have started cancelling plans for tourism.

Museveni noted with displeasure, while delivering an address to the country on Tuesday, that foreign tourists have started cancelling bookings and international conferences had also been cancelled or moved to other countries.

He said in strong voice “Uganda is safe and international guests are welcome,” adding that the epidemic was localized – with active cases in just six out of 146 districts across the country.

He stated that a list of people who have been confirmed to have exposed to the virus was submitted to immigration authorities to prevent them from international travel.

As of now, Uganda has confirmed 141 cases with 55 deaths recorded since the outbreak was confirmed in September.
The president reiterated that progress had been made in controlling the epidemic.
According to the Ugandan health officials there had been no confirmed cases in Mubende district, the epicentre of the outbreak, for 18 days, although one case was reported on Monday.

Mr Museveni blamed the spread of the virus refusal of the public who failed to adhere to health restrictions as some motorcycle taxis, known as boda boda, were defying lockdown rules in the affected areas and transporting passengers instead of only cargo.

10 members of an extended family died of Ebola in Kassanda district, after exhuming a body interred by official burial teams and reburied it according to their religious beliefs.

Ugandan officials are maintaining confidence that the outbreak can be tamed before it spreads even as the epidemic has spread to districts far from the epicentre in the central region.