In Kapchorwa District, a 32-year-old man from Kayimelil Cell, Central Division, and a 29-year-old from Kwomo Cell, Chema Sub-county have tested positive for Monkeypox (Mpox), sending shockwaves through the community.
Dr. Sirajji Masai, the Kapchorwa District Health Officer, confirmed that both patients are currently in isolation at Kapchorwa Main Hospital, receiving treatment. He urged residents to remain vigilant and practice strict preventive measures, such as avoiding large gatherings, handshakes, and unnecessary physical contact.
“The community must understand that we are dealing with a highly contagious disease. It is their responsibility to follow health guidelines to prevent further spread,” Dr. Masai warned.
The Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Martin Sakajja, announced that authorities have implemented strict measures, including mandating handwashing stations with soap and sanitizers at all social gatherings.
Uganda Among Worst-Hit Mpox Countries in Africa
Uganda now ranks second in Africa for highest Mpox infections, trailing only the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 4,131 cases, with 2,479 confirmed positive.
According to the latest surveillance data, Mpox cases have been recorded in 83 districts, with 52 still reporting active infections. The worst-hit areas include Kampala, Wakiso, Mbarara, Mukono, Nakasongola, and Luweero, where infections continue to rise at alarming rates.
Prof. Yap Boum II, the Assistant Mpox Incident Manager at Africa CDC, revealed a major crisis in transporting Mpox samples from districts to laboratories in Kampala due to the recent freeze in U.S. foreign health aid imposed by President Donald Trump in late January.
Funding Cuts Stall Uganda’s Mpox Response
Mpox samples are primarily tested at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe and the National Public Health Laboratory in Butabika. However, Boum disclosed that many samples are stranded in districts due to logistical and financial challenges, delaying diagnosis and containment efforts.
Uganda’s Health Minister, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, previously assured the public that the government is seeking alternative funding to sustain surveillance efforts. However, officials at Africa CDC warn that funding shortages have already crippled Mpox response efforts in multiple countries, including Uganda and the DRC.
Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, the Continental Incident Manager for Mpox, stated that 80% of U.S. health financing in Africa has been halted, disrupting critical interventions.
“We are working on local resource mobilization while assessing the exact funding gap. However, there is limited awareness of the waivers the U.S. government has put in place to ensure essential health services remain funded,”Ngongo explained.
He urged Uganda’s Ministry of Health to engage directly with the U.S. Ambassador to clarify which health emergencies qualify for continued funding under the waiver.
Meanwhile, Mpox testing rates have plummeted across Africa, with sample transportation delays worsening the crisis in neighboring DRC. As Uganda grapples with rising Mpox infections, experts warn that without urgent funding and improved testing logistics, the outbreak could spiral out of control.