By Abubaker Mayemba

Following last year’s outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Uganda, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has handed over an assortment of supplies and equipment to the Government, to boost disease surveillance and response at border points. 

The items were procured under IOM’s EVD Response project at about USD 600,000, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the World Health Organization (WHO). They were formally presented by IOM Uganda Chief of Mission Sanusi Tejan savage to Hon. Anifa Bangirana Kawooya, the State Minister for Health (General Duties).   

The donation list includes Prefabricated buildings and isolation tents, water tanks, thermo-scanners to aid in entry and exit screening, personal protective equipment such as gloves, gumboots, disposable gowns, and masks. Others are infection prevention and control items such as sanitizer, soap, disinfectants, thermometers, handwashing stations, and pedal waste bins. To support risk communication and data management, the project also procured flat tv screens, advertising kiosks, audio-visual speakers, and laptop computers, among other items. 

In September 2022, Uganda declared an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the central district of Mubende, which quickly spread to neighbouring Kassanda. Under its Migration Health division, IOM was among the partners that supported the Ebola response, targeting mobile populations and ports of entry (POEs) to help contain the outbreak within the epicenter and within Uganda.
The country was declared free of Ebola four months later, after 143 confirmed cases and 55 deaths. IOM then worked with the Ministry of Health and local authorities on post-EVD recovery interventions in affected communities as well as 23 border posts and 16 districts.

Speaking at the handover ceremony at the Ministry of Health on 27 June, IOM Chief of Mission Savage commended USAID, WHO and the Ministry leadership for the financial and technical support. He said despite being a deadly health threat, EVD had brought to the fore the resilience, strength, and unity of the people of Uganda

“The supplies being handed over today represent a concrete manifestation of IOM’s dedication to supporting communities in their journey towards healing, rebuilding, and better preparedness,” Savage said. “They [supplies] reflect our collective determination to not only rebuild infrastructure but also to strengthen healthcare systems, and foster community resilience.”

Savage also commended the collaboration and tireless efforts of the political and technical leadership and frontline staff in the districts and POEs. “It is our sincere hope,” he said, “that these supplies and equipment will help make your work easier and more rewarding.” 

While accepting the donation, State Minister Kawooya noted that increased human travel has come with a heightened risk of spreading infectious diseases across borders.
“In the past Uganda has experienced the importation of Ebola in 2019, pneumonic plague in 2019, COVID-19 in 2020 and Measles in 2023. This highlights the importance of having the capacity to detect and respond to public health threats at points of entry,” Kawooya said.

She acknowledged the support of international partners, including IOM, with which the ministry has established and strengthened Port Health structures at designated points or entry.

The donated items will be distributed and delivered to 15districts and 23 border posts to improve prevention, detection, and response to the spread of diseases along mobility continuums. Isingiro, Mpondwe, Kyotera, Elegu, Bundibugyo, Busia, Malaba are some of the beneficiary districts and POEs. 

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For more information/media enquiries, please contact IOM Uganda Public Information Officer Richard M Kavuma  by email (rmkavuma@iom.int) or telephone (+256 772 709 917)