The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces 4 Infantry Division Commander, Maj Gen Felix Busizoori, has met cattle traders from Acholi, Lango and West Nile to discuss measures to prevent the spread of Ebola and regulate livestock trade.
The meeting, held at the 4 Infantry Division headquarters in Gulu City, brought together traders who conduct livestock business in West Nile and across the border into the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Cross-border livestock trade was suspended after an Ebola outbreak in the DRC as part of efforts to stop the disease from spreading into Uganda.
Addressing the traders, Maj Gen Busizoori said the National Task Force, working with the Ministry of Health, had developed Standard Operating Procedures to contain the outbreak.
He said the measures include the temporary closure of Uganda’s border with the DRC and the suspension of livestock markets near the border.
Maj Gen Busizoori also said the government, through the Ministry of Health, had established an Ebola treatment centre in Aru, DRC, with support and protection from the UPDF.
He said the facility is meant to ensure Ebola patients receive treatment within the DRC. This would reduce the risk of infected people crossing into Uganda and exposing local communities to the disease.
Maj Gen Busizoori said the measures are meant to protect Ugandans while allowing authorities to monitor and regulate livestock movement.
District security committees in the border districts of Zombo, Koboko, Yumbe, Pakwach, Nebbi and Arua continue to enforce restrictions on cross-border movement as part of the national Ebola prevention strategy.
During the meeting, traders agreed to organise themselves and regularly give security authorities information on the number of animals transported from different regions.
They also agreed that each sub-region would get specific trading days to improve coordination and monitoring.
Under the arrangement, traders from Acholi, Lango and West Nile will conduct business on separate designated days.
The meeting also resolved that all livestock transporters will use one designated route through Pakwach to strengthen regulation of livestock movement, limit the number of people travelling on livestock trucks and reduce the risk of Ebola transmission.
Traders were urged to monitor their activities and report anyone attempting to cross into the DRC for livestock trade in breach of the restrictions.
West Nile shares a porous border with the DRC, where communities have long maintained close social and economic ties through trade and regular cross-border movement.
Officials said sustained vigilance remains essential to prevent the spread of Ebola.
The meeting was attended by Aswa regional police commander Fred Ahimbisibwe and intelligence representatives, among others.
