Heightened fears over the possible spread of Ebola from the Democratic Republic of Congo have forced Ugandan authorities to tighten security and health measures at the Mpondwe border in Kasese District, with officials temporarily suspending cross-border movement and intensifying surveillance along porous entry points.

Tension and uncertainty gripped the usually busy Mpondwe border today after Ugandan authorities restricted movement between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo following renewed Ebola concerns in eastern DRC.

Security personnel, immigration officers, and health workers were heavily deployed across the border area, carrying out intensified screening and patrol operations along both official and unofficial crossing routes.

Authorities ordered several Congolese nationals who had already entered Uganda to return as part of emergency measures aimed at preventing possible transmission of the deadly virus into the country.

The Chairperson of Vendors at the border, Bwambale Stanley Pandasi, revealed that authorities are facing a major challenge due to the existence of more than one thousand porous crossing points along the Uganda-DRC border.

Pandasi warned that if enforcement weakens, illegal cross-border trade activities, especially fish and cargo businesses, could easily shift operations into Congo using unauthorised routes.

Truck drivers operating along the border corridor appealed to the government to prioritise strict screening measures instead of a total border closure, arguing that continued movement remains important for trade and livelihoods.

Health officials stationed at the border say surveillance teams are working around the clock to ensure that no individual crosses without undergoing proper health screening and registration.

Tumwine Francis, a screening inspector at Mpondwe border, noted that recording travellers’ details is critical in enabling health authorities to quickly trace contacts in the event of any suspected Ebola case.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner in charge of Bukonzo County, Lieutenant Maate Magwara, announced stricter directives restricting entry into Uganda.

He stated that no person would be allowed into the country unless cleared through his office, except for authorised VIP movements.

Magwara added that traders involved in the fish business and cattle migration are already known to the authorities and will undergo strict clearance procedures before being allowed to cross.

Security teams and district officials also conducted patrols along River Lhubiriha, which separates Uganda from the Democratic Republic of Congo, in a move aimed at monitoring illegal crossings and strengthening border surveillance.

Authorities say Ugandans currently in Congo will temporarily remain there, while Congolese nationals already within Uganda will be closely monitored for twenty-one days as part of preventive health measures.

The latest developments come as Uganda remains on high alert following increased Ebola cases reported in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, raising fears of possible cross-border transmission through trade and population movement.