Lira, Uganda | Lira City Education Officer Canon Jane Obeny has attributed the low turnout of learners in schools during the first week of the second term to fears surrounding the ongoing Ebola outbreak and misinformation circulating on social media regarding a possible closure of schools.
Speaking on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at her office in Junior Quarters, Obeny revealed that reports from city school inspectors indicated that many parents had delayed sending their children back to school due to concerns that schools could be closed, similar to what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She, however, dismissed the fears as unfounded, noting that the Ministry of Education and Sports had already issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as guided by Health Ministry to all schools before the reopening of the second term to guide the prevention and management of Ebola-related risks.
Obeny urged parents to return their children to school and ensure that school fees are paid, warning that keeping learners at home is detrimental to their education. She also dismissed social media claims, suggesting that schools would be closed on Friday, describing them as false and misleading.
She emphasized that parents should prioritize education and noted that schools reopened on May 25, 2026, and are already in the second week of learning. She added that the government always communicates officially whenever there is a decision affecting schools.
At Cambridge City School, Headteacher Munu Daniel acknowledged that the Ebola scare negatively affected learner enrollment during the first week of the term, but noted that continuous engagement with parents and implementation of all Ministry of Health guidelines had significantly improved attendance, leaving only about 60 learners yet to report back.
Similarly, Elia Olet Primary School Headteacher Sarah Aol De Aloi said the school registered only 216 learners during the first week despite having an enrollment of more than 1,300 pupils, but attendance improved to 946 learners in the second week, although more than 400 pupils were still absent. She attributed the low turnout to speculation about school closures due to Ebola and financial challenges faced by many parents.
Meanwhile, Mentor Secondary School–Gwengabara Campus Headteacher Alfred Opar said learner turnout had been affected by both economic hardships and Ebola-related fears, explaining that many parents are farmers awaiting harvests while others had not yet received salaries. He revealed that about 70% of students had reported back and encouraged parents facing financial difficulties to engage the school administration for possible arrangements.
Rev. Geoffrey Mark Ogwang, Vicar of St. Andrew Church of Uganda Parish Anai-Wigweng and a parent, said some parents had delayed sending their children to school due to fears of a possible Ebola-related school closure, but emphasized that education remains a worthwhile investment and noted that he had already returned his children to school and paid more than half of their fees.
The concerns come amid Uganda’s latest Ebola outbreak, which has so far recorded 15 confirmed cases. The Ministry of Health recently confirmed six new infections among contacts of previously identified patients. Currently, 12 patients are receiving treatment, two have recovered, and one death has been registered.
Health authorities are monitoring approximately 668 contacts linked to the outbreak. The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which currently has no licensed vaccine or specific treatment. Most cases remain concentrated in Kampala and Wakiso districts, with investigations indicating links to cross-border transmission from the Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Ministry of Health continues to encourage the public to report symptoms early, emphasizing that prompt isolation and treatment improve survival chances and help prevent further spread of the disease.
