West Nile Police Tighten Ebola Prevention Measures Along DR Congo Border

Security agencies in Uganda's West Nile region are bolstering operations to enforce Ebola prevention measures and enhance border surveillance amid concerns over the ongoing Ebola outbreak in neighboring eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The West Nile region shares a border with Ituri Province in eastern DRC, an area reporting Ebola cases. Authorities fear the disease could spread into Uganda through the region's numerous porous border crossings if preventive measures are not strictly enforced. These heightened responses follow two joint security taskforce meetings convened by West Nile Regional Police Commander SSP Latif Zake.

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We are not taking any chances. Joint security teams have been deployed to strengthen surveillance, enforce Ebola SOPs, and monitor movements along the border. We urge all residents to cooperate with authorities and immediately report suspected cases.

Key resolutions include joint enforcement of Ebola Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), community sensitization campaigns, and the establishment of checkpoints to intercept illegal entrants from the DRC. West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson SSP Josephine Angucia stated that security agencies are collaborating closely with health authorities and local leaders. "We are not taking any chances. Joint security teams have been deployed to strengthen surveillance, enforce Ebola SOPs, and monitor movements along the border. We urge all residents to cooperate with authorities and immediately report suspected cases," she said.

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The border remains highly porous. Hotels, lodges, taxis, buses and boda bodas can easily become points of contact if proper screening is not conducted. We are calling upon facility owners and transport operators to remain vigilant and report suspicious arrivals to the relevant authorities.

Recognizing the vulnerability of the region, Angucia noted that West Nile has over 150 border crossing points, many of them ungazetted. This porosity makes it susceptible to illegal entry. "The border remains highly porous. Hotels, lodges, taxis, buses and boda bodas can easily become points of contact if proper screening is not conducted. We are calling upon facility owners and transport operators to remain vigilant and report suspicious arrivals to the relevant authorities," she added.

Authorities have suspended border market activities and set up security checkpoints along major routes in Koboko, Maracha, Arua City, Arua District, Madi-Okollo, Nebbi, Zombo, and Pakwach to control illegal movement from Ebola-affected areas. On June 12, several Congolese nationals who had entered Uganda illegally were intercepted and deported. SSP Angucia stressed that while Ebola is a serious threat, it is preventable through strict adherence to measures like hand hygiene, sanitizer use, and compliance with health screenings.

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Ebola is highly contagious but preventable. We encourage the public to maintain hand hygiene, use sanitizers, comply with health screening requirements and avoid activities that violate the established SOPs. Community vigilance is critical