Akena referred to historical statements by President Museveni acknowledging the destruction of food supplies and the destitution of about 2.7 million people during that period. He argued that the loss of cattle deprived communities of daily nutrition, household income, school fees, draft power, and soil fertility, leaving effects that continue to be felt today.
Kampala’s waste management system has come under increasing strain in recent years, including during Uganda’s first National Cleaning Day, when the volume of collected waste overwhelmed collection teams and temporarily clogged the Buyala disposal facility.
Regional health experts say East African governments are increasingly treating epidemic preparedness as both a public health and economic security priority.
Health experts warn that the Bundibugyo Ebola strain presents a unique challenge due to the absence of approved vaccines and targeted treatments, increasing reliance on rapid detection, strict contact tracing, community awareness, and cross-border coordination to contain transmission.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has arrived in Uganda for an official visit expected to deepen diplomatic and economic cooperation between Kampala and Cairo, with discussions set to focus on regional security, trade, agriculture, and water resource management.