Staff Reporter
Despite the alarming surge of Mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Bunagana border in Kisoro District continues to grapple with a high influx of Congolese crossing into Uganda. This situation was particularly pronounced on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, a market day that saw a significant increase in cross-border movement from both sides.
Our reporter, who was on the ground, observed the overwhelming number of people crossing the border, which far exceeded the routine traffic. This situation has heightened concerns about the potential spread of Mpox, a highly contagious disease.
Innocent Nkurunziza, the in-charge of the health facility at the border, expressed his concerns regarding the inadequate resources available to manage the situation. He pointed out the lack of essential supplies such as detergents and insufficient manpower. The government staff deployed to conduct screening at the border is inadequate, and partners like AMREF Uganda have withdrawn some of their frontline personnel. Nkurunziza also highlighted the insufficient staffing of the Red Cross at the border due to underfunding from their partners, leading to overstretched resources.
On the DRC side, authorities have responded by installing handwashing facilities as a measure to mitigate the spread of Mpox. This follows an incident on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, when a suspected Mpox case was reported at the border. Militias in the DRC sought health guidance from Ugandan medical personnel stationed at the border. After receiving advice, the Ugandan team pledged to share some detergents with their Congolese counterparts to support prevention efforts.
Despite these health concerns, business activities in Bunagana Town Council remain largely unaffected. According to James Hashaka, the chairperson of the business community, the situation is markedly different from other crises such as COVID-19, Ebola, or the military confrontations between M23 and the Congolese army. He noted that businesses are operating normally, with only a few individuals, mainly elites and enforcement teams, adhering to standard operating procedures.
As the situation continues to develop, there is a growing need for more resources and international support to ensure the health and safety of the border communities and to prevent the further spread of Mpox across the region.
