East African Gazette
Naguru
The recent outbreak of red eye in Uganda has led to 5905 cases being registered by the Uganda Prisons Services (UPS) countrywide.
Fortunately, 4704 individuals have successfully recovered from the contagious eye disease, but there are still 1201 active cases in various facilities.
To address this issue, Frank Baine, the spokesperson for the prisons, emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of all visitors to prevent any further spread of the disease.
He was addressing a joint security media briefing held at the police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala on April 8, 2024.
An outbreak of conjunctivitis, also known as red eyes, was documented in schools in Kampala earlier this year.
Symptoms of this eye disease consist of itchy and red eyes, among other indicators.
As a precaution, the Ministry of Health urged the public to maintain good hygiene practices such as frequent handwashing with soap and refraining from touching their eyes.
He stressed that they are continuing to enforce the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines which were issued by the Ministry of Health to ensure the disease is contained.
“The active cases of red eyes are 1201. Fortunately, none is critical and we have not registered any death about that. We are continuing to adhere to guidelines by the Ministry of Health,” Baine said.
Among the affected stations include: Upper Prison, Murchison Bay, Kampala Remand, Luzira Women, Gulu Main, Jinja Main, Mbarara Main, Kigo Main, Kassanda, Kagadi, Kamuli,Lira Main, Erute, Isingiro , Butuntumula, Nakasongola, Ngoma, Kawuga, Baamunanika, Ssentema, Kiyunga , Ntenjeru and Kitalya Mini Max.
“We request the public that whereas visitations are on, if you are sick, don’t come to contaminate the prison community. Stay away until you are well,” he added.