Uganda’s Ministry of Health is pushing back against what it calls a wave of misinformation spreading on social media, denying reports that the country is experiencing a resurgence of COVID-19.
“There is no resurgence of COVID-19 in Uganda, and the national situation is stable,” said Dr. Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services.
The clarification, issued Tuesday, comes after a series of video clips and messages began circulating online, raising fears among some Ugandans of a renewed outbreak. The Ministry said the clips are not current and were being deliberately shared to cause confusion.
“The circulating messages are old clips being re-shared to mislead members of the public,” read a statement posted to the Ministry’s X account, formerly Twitter.
Health officials described the country’s public health systems as prepared and capable of detecting potential threats. Surveillance efforts remain in place, according to Olaro, and Uganda continues to track international developments — including the emergence of new variants.
“The Ministry continues to maintain strong surveillance and response systems capable of detecting and swiftly addressing any public health threats,” Olaro said.
Still, the Ministry urged people to stay alert and take personal precautions. Those experiencing flu-like symptoms are advised to seek medical attention, and everyone is encouraged to keep up with basic hygiene practices like regular handwashing and using alcohol-based sanitizers.
Officials reiterated that Uganda has not seen a major COVID-19 outbreak since the height of the pandemic more than three years ago.
The Ministry called on the public to rely on verified information from official sources and warned against spreading misleading content.
“The Ministry reassures the public that the national COVID-19 situation remains stable since the end of the major outbreak three years ago,” the statement said.
No new restrictions or health measures have been announced, and there is no indication that the government is considering any at this time.
