In the busy border communities of Bundibugyo, where families, traders, fishermen, and travelers move between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo every day, the fear of Ebola is real, but so is the determination to stop it before it spreads.

With the district remaining on high alert following the outbreak of the Bundibugyo Ebola strain, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) EVD Response Team held a strategic engagement with the URCS Bundibugyo Branch Manager, Dennis Mwesige, and volunteer team leads to strengthen operational preparedness and frontline coordination in vulnerable communities.

The meeting was led by Dr. Joseph Kasumba, the EVD Operations Lead for the Rwenzori and Albertine Region, and focused on strengthening branch-level coordination, volunteer deployment, community engagement, surveillance support, emergency response readiness, and safety protocols in the affected areas.

Bundibugyo remains a critical area of focus due to its proximity to the Uganda–DRC border, the presence of multiple Points of Entry, and several porous crossing routes that increase the risk of cross-border transmission and population movement. This has placed communities, border traders, and frontline volunteers at the center of prevention and preparedness efforts.

Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Joseph Kasumba emphasized the importance of staying ahead of the outbreak through community-driven interventions and strong local coordination.

“Our strength in this response lies in the communities themselves. When volunteers, local leaders, health workers, and communities work together, we are able to detect risks early, share the right information, and protect lives before Ebola spreads further,” Dr. Kasumba noted.

For the URCS Bundibugyo Branch, the response is not only about preparedness, but also about reassuring communities living in fear and uncertainty along the border.

“People here interact across the border every day for trade, fishing, and family. That is why our volunteers must remain visible and active within the communities to ensure people continue receiving accurate information, support, and timely response services,” said Dennis Mwesige, the URCS Bundibugyo Branch Manager.

As the threat of Ebola continues to place border communities on alert, URCS volunteers and frontline teams remain deeply embedded within the communities, supporting surveillance, sharing lifesaving information, strengthening preparedness, and building trust among families living along the Uganda–DRC border.

For many residents in Bundibugyo, the presence of trained volunteers, coordinated response teams, and continuous community engagement offers reassurance that they are not facing the threat alone. Through collaboration with government, health authorities, and local leaders, URCS continues to stand alongside communities in the collective effort to prevent the spread of Ebola and protect lives. The Uganda Red Cross Society response efforts are being supported through funding from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).