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Members attending the 4th Arua City Ebola Taskforce meeting discuss Ebola prevention and security-related concerns at the City Health Yard. By Dramadri Federick Arua City The Arua City Ebola Taskforce has suspended public viewing of World Cup matches in bars,
Members attending the 4th Arua City Ebola Taskforce meeting discuss Ebola prevention and security-related concerns at the City Health Yard.
By Dramadri Federick
Arua City
The Arua City Ebola Taskforce has suspended public viewing of World Cup matches in bars, restaurants, and other public gathering places beyond 10:00 p.m. as part of heightened efforts to prevent the possible spread of Ebola in the city.
The decision was reached during the 4th Arua City Ebola Taskforce meeting held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at the City Health Yard. The meeting brought together health officials, security agencies, political leaders, and representatives of business operators to review the city’s preparedness and compliance with Ebola prevention measures.
According to the taskforce, several entertainment venues across the city have failed to comply with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the Ministry of Health. Authorities observed that many bars, restaurants, and event organizers continue to host activities that attract large crowds, including discos, weddings, traditional ceremonies, and public streamings of World Cup matches.
Chairing the meeting, Arua Resident City Commissioner and Ebola Taskforce Chairperson, Retired Major Betty Akello Otekat, directed that all public World Cup viewing activities beyond 10:00 p.m. be suspended with immediate effect. She further ordered the suspension of any other events that attract large gatherings until further notice.
Otekat warned that authorities would take tough action against operators who fail to comply with the directive.
“I am directing that any bar found operating past 10:00 p.m. be locked and sealed. District Police Commanders must arrest the operators and charge them under the Public Health Act. Nobody is above the law,” she said.
She emphasized that the restrictions are intended to protect the public from a possible Ebola outbreak and urged residents to cooperate with health and security authorities.
Meanwhile, the Arua City Health Officer, Dr. Apangu Pontius, announced the cancellation of all temporary permits that had previously been granted to hotels, bars, and restaurants that had met compliance requirements.
According to Dr. Apangu, the cancellation is intended to ensure uniform enforcement of the new restrictions and eliminate confusion among business operators regarding permitted activities during the Ebola alert period.
“My technical team will not engage in requests for reopening any place that has been closed under these directives,” Dr. Apangu stated.
He noted that health surveillance and enforcement teams will continue conducting inspections to ensure compliance with Ebola prevention measures throughout the city.
During the meeting, representatives of hotel and restaurant owners appealed to the taskforce to reconsider the restrictions. Speaking on behalf of the operators, Interim Chairperson Farooq Salim requested that businesses be allowed to continue screening World Cup matches under strict observance of the SOPs.
Salim proposed reducing the number of people allowed at entertainment venues rather than imposing a complete suspension of public viewing activities.
“My prayer is that the number of people could be reduced to about 100 or 150 depending on the capacity of the venue. This would especially help discos and entertainment places. It is also the World Cup season, and many people would like to enjoy the games. At the same time, this is how many business owners earn income to support their families. If our request could be accepted, I would be grateful,” Salim said.
However, the taskforce rejected the proposal, citing repeated incidents of non-compliance observed during previous enforcement operations. Members argued that allowing public screenings could increase the risk of disease transmission if preventive measures are not strictly followed.
Although Arua City has not yet recorded any confirmed Ebola case, the Ministry of Health has classified the city as a high-risk area due to its strategic location near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is currently battling an Ebola outbreak.
Health officials say the city’s close cultural, social, and commercial ties with communities across the border increase the risk of cross-border transmission. As a result, surveillance teams have intensified screening, contact tracing preparedness, and public awareness campaigns aimed at preventing the disease from entering the city.
According to the latest Ministry of Health situation report, Uganda has registered 19 confirmed Ebola cases, including 14 imported cases from the DRC and five locally transmitted secondary infections. The outbreak has so far resulted in two confirmed deaths and one probable death, while seven patients have recovered and been discharged from treatment facilities.
Health authorities continue to strengthen surveillance, screening, contact tracing, and public awareness campaigns in high-risk districts and cities, including Arua, to prevent further spread of the disease.
The Ebola Taskforce has called upon residents to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary gatherings, observe proper hygiene practices, and promptly report any suspected cases to health authorities.
Officials maintain that the temporary restrictions are necessary to safeguard public health and ensure that Arua City remains free from Ebola infections.