A cholera outbreak has been confirmed in Labongo Layamo Sub-county, Kitgum District, raising fresh concerns about the spread of the disease in northern Uganda.
According to the District Cholera Taskforce, the outbreak was detected in Ocettoke East village, where a family of seven was rushed to Kitgum General Hospital after exhibiting cholera-like symptoms. Laboratory tests confirmed that three of them had contracted cholera strain O139. The patients are currently receiving treatment in the hospital’s isolation unit and are reported to be in stable condition.
Titus Komakech, the district’s Surveillance Focal Person, stated that samples from the confirmed cases will be sent to the Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) in Kampala for further confirmation through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing.
“We received a distress call through our surveillance team and responded swiftly to evacuate the affected family,” Komakech said. “We are working closely with health teams on the ground to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.”
This is not the first cholera case in Kitgum this year. Last month, a confirmed case was reported in Kitgum Municipality, specifically in Ayul C Cell, Pager Division. The victim had recently traveled to Agoro Sub-county in Lamwo District, where an outbreak had been reported earlier in the year.
Komakech assured the public that authorities have intensified surveillance, contact tracing, and public education to curb the outbreak. He urged residents of Labongo Layamo Sub-county to remain vigilant and take extra precautions, including:
✅ Frequent handwashing with soap and clean water
✅ Avoiding raw or undercooked food
✅ Drinking only boiled or chlorinated water
“This is a reminder of the importance of good hygiene practices and taking proactive measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases,” Komakech emphasized. Health officials continue to monitor the situation, urging the public to report any suspected cases immediately.