“I feel fortunate. The practices we used before put our lives at risk,” says Tom Mayanja, his voice thick with emotion. A cemetery attendant at the Kampala City Mortuary for over a decade, Tom has seen more than most bodies rushed in during epidemics, families kept away by fear, and health workers ill-equipped to protect themselves. But this week, standing in a training room in Wakiso, he felt hope. “This training has opened my eyes to the science behind every glove, mask, and overall that I wear. It’s essential for protecting myself.”
Tom was among 29 health workers from across Uganda who took part in a transformative five-day Safe and Dignified Burial (SDB) training organized by the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The training was held in Wakiso district, bringing together a diverse group of professionals from referral hospitals, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), and URCS volunteers.
The training aimed to equip participants with practical skills in SDB practices, with a focus on infection prevention and control during high-risk outbreaks such as Ebola.
For participants like Anek Janet Scholastic, a medical officer from Gulu Referral Hospital, the training stirred painful memories. In 2000, her region suffered one of Uganda’s worst Ebola outbreaksn 425 cases and 224 deaths. “I didn’t know what SDB was before, but I didn’t hesitate when this opportunity arose,” she shared. “I have learned a lot from this workshop, and I will discuss what I’ve learned with my colleagues back home.”

The training wasn’t just about protective gear and burial protocols it was about saving lives, restoring community trust, and preserving dignity in death.

For Allan Kataswa, an Assistant Nursing Officer from Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, a key takeaway was the importance of putting communities at the heart of such preventive interventions.

“The key takeaway for me is the significance of engaging and coordinating with the community to conduct a successful Safe and Dignified Burial,” he noted.

As emphasized by one of the trainers, Dr. Joseph Kasumba from the Uganda Red Cross Society, community engagement is vital in high-risk outbreaks like Ebola, where fear and misinformation can severely undermine response efforts.

“When communities are informed, involved, and treated with respect, they become allies in the response rather than obstacles. This makes all the difference in controlling the spread of infections and restoring public trust,” Dr. Joseph Kasumba explained.

The sessions were facilitated by experts from the Ministry of Health, Uganda Red Cross Society, and Africa CDC. Through a combination of lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and peer-to-peer learning, participants gained in-depth knowledge on how to manage burials in a way that prevents the spread of infection while honoring the cultural and emotional significance of laying loved ones to rest.

Opening the workshop, Dr. Alex Wasomoka, speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Clinical Services at the Ministry of Health, described the training as both timely and essential.

“This collaborative effort aims to enhance the preparedness of health workers and communities to manage future infectious disease outbreaks while ensuring dignity for those who have passed away,” he noted.

Each participant returns to their community not only equipped with new skills, but with a renewed sense of purpose. They become guardians, not just of the living but of the dignity and respect owed to those who have passed on.

As Uganda continues to brace for public health threats, initiatives like this form a crucial pillar in epidemic response. They ensure that health workers often the last line of defense are protected, equipped, and empowered to respond effectively.

More importantly, they send a powerful message that in both life and death, Uganda Red Cross Society remains committed to its mandate, ensuring every Ugandan receives the dignity, care, and compassion they deserve.