UWA Bolsters Ebola Monitoring & Wildlife Health Protection Through CTPH Support

By Frank Kamuntu

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has received vital Ebola preparedness and disease surveillance equipment from Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) to strengthen disease monitoring and response efforts within the Bwindi Conservation Area.

The donation, which includes digital thermometers, smartphones, solar-powered charging banks, and ranger rain gear, will enhance the capacity of frontline conservation personnel to detect and report potential disease outbreaks, while supporting ranger welfare and ensuring the continued safety of visitors and wildlife.

The equipment was officially handed over as part of ongoing efforts to reinforce the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnected health of people, wildlife, and ecosystems. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, remains a priority conservation landscape where disease surveillance is critical for both wildlife protection and public health.

Receiving the equipment, UWA Executive Director Dr James Musinguzi commended CTPH for its continued partnership in promoting conservation and public health interventions around protected areas.

“The support comes at a critical time when Uganda continues to strengthen its preparedness against infectious diseases such as Ebola. Effective surveillance, timely reporting, and protection of frontline personnel are essential for safeguarding both wildlife and human populations,” said Dr Musinguzi.

The smartphones and solar power banks will facilitate real-time data collection and communication from remote field locations, while thermometers will support routine health screening and monitoring activities. The ranger rain gear will improve working conditions for field staff who operate in challenging weather conditions throughout the year.

The donation follows heightened national vigilance against Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) following recent imported cases linked to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda’s response efforts have yielded encouraging results, with President Yoweri Museveni yesterday announcing that the country had recorded no new Ebola cases for five consecutive days, describing the development as a strong indication that the outbreak is coming under control.

According to the Ministry of Health, Uganda has registered 19 confirmed Ebola cases, including 14 imported cases and five Ugandan nationals. Two deaths have been recorded, while several patients have recovered following treatment and supportive care.

Health authorities continue to emphasize that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the body fluids of infected individuals, including blood, saliva, sweat, urine, vomit, and other bodily secretions. The virus can also spread through contaminated equipment, clothing, and contact with infected wildlife, particularly bats and non-human primates.

As a conservation agency responsible for protecting Uganda’s wildlife and managing tourism in protected areas, UWA remains committed to implementing disease prevention measures that protect visitors, staff, neighboring communities, and vulnerable wildlife populations such as mountain gorillas, which are susceptible to several human-transmitted diseases.

UWA continues to work closely with government agencies, conservation partners, local communities, and health authorities to strengthen surveillance systems, promote public awareness, and ensure rapid reporting of any suspected disease incidents within protected areas.

The Authority has on several occassions encouraged staff, tourism operators, and surrounding communities to remain vigilant by observing good hygiene practices, reporting suspected illnesses promptly, avoiding contact with sick individuals or wildlife carcasses, and following guidance from health authorities.