Alur Kingdom receives Shs56 million grant to strengthen Ebola response

Nebbi: The Alur Kingdom has expressed profound appreciation to the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) for awarding a $15,000 (approximately UGX 56 million) grant to support efforts against the ongoing Ebola epidemic in Alur-inhabited regions spanning Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The grant comes just days after the Alur Kingdom announced an internal Rapid Ebola Response Task Team aimed at strengthening district task teams in mobilizing and sensitizing Uganda-DRC border communities to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus from the DRC.

In a letter addressed to Madam Naturinda Allen Tush, District Governor of Lions District 411B – Uganda, His Royal Majesty (HRM) Phillip Olarker Rauni III, the King of the Alur people, welcomed the timely assistance.

The funds will be used to procure essential protective equipment for health workers in Nebbi and Zombo Districts in Uganda, and Mahagi Territory in Ituri Province, DRC.

The King noted that these areas are predominantly inhabited by the Alur people, whose population across both sides of the Uganda-DRC border runs into millions.

HRM Phillip Olarker Rauni III extended gratitude on behalf of his subjects for the support aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola and urged health workers to make proper and effective use of the protective equipment in the field.

Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, the Prime Minister (Jadipu) of the Alur Kingdom, signed the appreciation message, with copies sent to the Presidents of Lions Clubs in Nyapea (Zombo), Nebbi, and Mahagi (DRC).

According to Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, the grant exemplifies “the strong partnership between the Alur Kingdom, local Lions clubs, and international humanitarian efforts in responding to the cross-border Ebola threat affecting the region.”

Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), the charitable arm of Lions Clubs International founded in 1968, empowers Lions clubs and volunteers worldwide through grants for large-scale humanitarian projects.

Since its inception, LCIF has awarded over US$1.3 billion in grants, with 100% of donations going directly to support programs in health, community strengthening, disaster relief, and disease prevention.Lions District 411B covers Uganda and forms part of Multiple District 411. It attained full district status on July 1, 2020, following reorganizations and significant membership growth.

Led by District Governor Madam Naturinda Allen Tush, the district engages in community service, health interventions, and humanitarian projects across Uganda.

The newly announced Alur Kingdom Rapid Ebola Response Task Team, chaired by the Kingdom’s Minister of Health, Dr. Nyathirombo Amos, will undergo training on technical aspects of information dissemination.

Team members will then equip traditional chiefs, including those in the DRC, with knowledge to conduct effective community sensitization on Ebola prevention and response.

His Majesty Ubimu Philip Rauni Olarker III has consistently rallied his subjects across 56 chiefdoms in Uganda and 8 in eastern DRC to refrain from hiding individuals with Ebola-like symptoms and has directed traditional chiefs to intensify sensitization and mobilization efforts amid rising cases.

According to the latest Ministry of Health update as of June 18, Uganda has registered a cumulative total of 19 confirmed Ebola cases (14 imported and 5 local transmissions), with 7 patients currently admitted, 10 recovered, and 2 deaths.

In the DRC, the CDC reports over 782 confirmed cases and 178 confirmed deaths.

The outbreak, declared on 15 May 2026 by WHO and DRC authorities, is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, with its epicentre in Ituri Province bordering Uganda’s West Nile region.

The Alur Kingdom, which maintains strong cross-border cultural and trade ties particularly through its eight chiefdoms on the DRC side, faces high risk across its communities in both countries.

In an urgent message, King Ubimu Olarker described the Ebola situation in eastern DRC as having “struck with real vengeance like an enemy ready to wipe out an entire generation,” with over a thousand people suspected infected and hundreds of suspected deaths reported.

He advised immediate transport of individuals showing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or bleeding to health centers, discouraged home treatment and contact with deceased persons, and called for avoiding large cultural gatherings, frequent handwashing, and strict adherence to Uganda and DRC Ministry of Health guidelines.

The Bundibugyo strain is described by the World Health Organization as a severe and often fatal form of the disease with no approved treatment or vaccine currently available.

To contain the outbreak, the Uganda Ministry of Health and DRC government have identified four strategic locations within the DRC near the border for the establishment of medical camps.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, in his recent address to the nation, stated that “the fire of Ebola has started going down,” while urging Ugandans to remain serious and prioritize the standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place.

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