Lira City, Uganda – Bonny Ferdinand Okello Alele, one of the directors at Uganda Christian Institute (UCI) and also the Assistant Resident City Commissioner of Lira City, has dismissed widespread rumors that the institution was closed due to an Ebola case.
He confirmed that the student suspected of having Ebola tested negative, and condemned those spreading misinformation to tarnish the institute’s reputation.
“There is no Ebola case at UCI. The student was tested, and the results came back negative. The institution is operating normally,” Okello Alele emphasized on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, a team from Lira City, led by Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Lawrence Egole, visited UCI when the student was still under suspicion.
The visit aimed to assess the situation and ensure public health protocols were being followed.
Following standard procedure, the student was isolated while awaiting test results, which later confirmed he did not have Ebola.
Okello Alele stated that, after the RCC’s directive and health officials’ confirmation, the student was released.
Okello Alele strongly criticized rival institutions and individuals whom he accused of fueling false rumors about UCI’s closure.
“It is unfortunate that some people, particularly our business competitors, are using this situation to mislead the public. These lies are affecting our institution and causing unnecessary panic,” he stated.
He reassured students, parents, and the general public that UCI remains fully operational, adding that the institute has implemented strict health measures in line with government guidelines.
The Ebola outbreak has caused growing concern in Uganda, with six confirmed cases, including two health workers, and over 200 contacts under institutional quarantine.
The government, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), will roll out a three-month response plan starting February 8 to combat the spread of the virus.
Authorities have vaccinated 500 frontline workers so far, and 2,460 more vaccine doses are ready for further deployment.
Kampala, Wakiso, and Mbale have been classified as high-risk districts due to their population density and mobility.
Despite the seriousness of the Ebola rumours, Lira City Health Officer Dr. Bernard Otucu has remained silent, with multiple attempts by reporters to reach him going unanswered.
Okello Alele ended his speech by calling on the public to remain calm and rely only on verified information.
With the Ebola scare at UCI now cleared, and authorities emphasizing hygiene, vigilance, and timely reporting of suspected cases, the public is encouraged to stay alert but not panic.
