An Ebola ‘Conspiracy’?: Why is Uganda Blacklisted While DR Congo Where It Originated Gets a Pass?
It’s very difficult to get agreement on anything in politically polarised Uganda, but there is a rare growing consensus in the country that a "conspiracy" at play against it regarding the latest Ebola outbreak.
As is often the case, the virus originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where 452 confirmed cases, 1,000 suspected cases, and 82 deaths have been recorded - before spilling over into Uganda.
Uganda has registered 15 cases and just ONE (1) death, a 59-year-old Congolese man who had come into the country from the DRC.
This is where it gets strange. Despite this disparity, western governments have issued over a dozen strict travel advisories specifically targeting Uganda, far eclipsing those levied against the DRC, and even suspension of visas!!!. This has prompted Ugandan politicians and social media users to rail against them and sections of international media like Al Jazeera for "bundling Uganda with Congo" and treating the two as a single entity.
The situation in Kenya might throw some light on the Uganda case. Protests erupted in Nanyuki, in the mountainous central region of the country, over a proposed US Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base. This backdrop lends some credence to a disclosure from an authoritative Nairobi-based journalist who said: "We hear the US initially approached Uganda, which possesses the continent’s finest technical expertise on Ebola. Kampala refused, stating, 'We are too busy managing the spillover from Congo'."
If Kampala did indeed rebuff Washington, it is confounding given the Ugandan government’s long history of subservience to US interests. Yet, it might explain why conspiracy theories are thriving. Kampala likely suspects it is being internationally penalised for refusing to fall in line and serve as an Ebola "leper colony".
What is clear is how anomalous it is for a nation with minor spillover cases to be treated as the primary medical pariah.
The reason Uganda continues to defeat Ebola?
Dr Misaki Wayengera
Dr Henry Kyobe Bosa
Prof Bruce Kirenga
Prof Pauline Byakika
Prof Pontiano Kaleebu
Prof Rhoda Wanyenze
Prof Vinard Nantulya
Prof Moses Joloba
Prof Sewankambo
And many other dedicated patriots you never hear about.
Innovating on therapeutics each day, developing local diagnostics etc..
We honour you.
@AJENews Stop this nonsensical reporting. No Ugandan has died of Ebola. When you cluster the two countries together, you are making a very big mistake.
🇺🇬 Uganda Ebola Outbreak Update | As of May 30
Uganda’s Ebola response continues, with national teams and partners working to detect cases early, follow contacts, protect health workers and stop further transmission.
Every contact followed, every sample tested, and every frontline worker protected brings the response closer to interrupting transmission.
Africa CDC continues to support the Government of Uganda (@GovUganda), its @MinofHealthUG, and partners through surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing, case management and community engagement.
We are sharing Uganda-specific figures to provide clear, country-by-country information across affected countries. #AfricaResponds
This is Arteta’s moment.
Yes, the squad’s been amazing.
Yes, the fans have been incredible.
Yes, the club’s owners stepped up big time last summer.
But it was this man’s vision, intensity, intelligence, courage and decisions that won us the League. Thankyou @m8arteta 🙏
𝐔𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐑𝐂
The Uganda Tourism Board is reassuring the public, tourism partners, and the international community that Uganda remains safe for travel as it continues to monitor isolated imported Ebola cases linked to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
#OpenGovUg
After having consulted the #DRC and #Uganda where the #Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus is known to be currently occurring, I determine that the epidemic constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), as defined in the provisions of IHR.
My full statement: https://t.co/EjzdjrMXHO
First malaria drug for babies is approved in major milestone. In parts of Africa, up to 18% of children under 6 months will be infected with malaria, but there has historically been no safe treatment for the smallest of them.
https://t.co/80aw02B3lA
Uganda once had true religious leaders. They were powerful spiritual teachers & people of great courage. They had God as their moral compass. Folks, meet Archbishop Janani Luwum, Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga, Bishop Festo Kivengere & Prince Badru Kakungulu!!
Ugandans applying for B1/B2 visas (tourist visas) must now pay a commitment fee (commitment to non-violation of visa terms) of between USD 5,000 & 15,000 upon the determination of a consular officer.
The payment is to be made directly to the US government - no third parties - and is eligible for refund upon departure, provided the departure occurs on or before the time allowed/indicated in the visa stamp & determination of non-violation of visa terms.
The payment is presumably in addition to the visa application fee.
See the link below.
https://t.co/sSVgebEWTp
Everyone at AFTV is deeply saddened by the passing of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga. As a passionate Arsenal supporter and a friend to our community, his warmth and commitment inspired many. His legacy will live on, not only among Arsenal fans but across Kenya, where his leadership and love for the game touched countless lives.
Rest in peace, Mr. Odinga. Thank you for being an incredible part of the Arsenal family.
#RIPRailaOdinga #AFTV #ArsenalFamily
The Kenya Airways (KQ) flight carrying the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who died in India Oct.15, was renamed RAO001 and became one of the most tracked flights worldwide.
https://t.co/8UvGmHek30