Lions Clubs international Strengthen Uganda, DRC Ebola Response With Protective Equipment

Full report

Lions Clubs International has provided personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection prevention supplies valued at approximately US$15,000 (UGX 56 million) to support Ebola virus disease response efforts in high-risk areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

The consignment, of which 75% was allocated to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and 25% remained in Uganda, was handed over on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, at Nebbi District Headquarters. The donation is intended to strengthen frontline health workers and enhance Ebola preparedness and response in affected and high-risk health zones, particularly along the Uganda–DRC border.

Targeted areas include the epicentre health zones of Mahagi, Nyarambe, Rimba, and Augmba in the DRC, as well as at-risk districts in Uganda’s West Nile region of Pakwach, Nebbi, and Zombo, which border the outbreak area.

Items delivered include: 13 units of 5L soap, one box of 1L bleach, two boxes of 750ml bleach, three boxes of liquid bleach, 13 units of 1L sanitizer, nine body bags, eight N95 masks, 10 boxes of examination gloves, seven pairs of gumboots, 10 heavy-duty items, eight disposable aprons, two temperature guns (200 packets), and one box of surgical gloves.

This timely support comes as the Ebola outbreak in the DRC continues to pose a serious cross-border threat.

According to the DRC's National Institute of Public Health, more than 1,000 people have died, with confirmed cases rising to 2,536 and deaths reaching 1,033 as of late Wednesday.

Response efforts in the DRC have been complicated by militant violence, attacks on health facilities, and widespread resource shortages.

In Uganda, no new confirmed Ebola cases have been reported since 21 June 2026, with the cumulative total standing at 20 confirmed cases.

Toni Okethi, Technical Advisor for the Lions Club Foundation grant for francophone countries and a member of the Lions Club of Arua, District 411, confirmed that " all targeted health zones will receive support"

He added ,“These PPEs will strengthen health workers’ response and fight against the Ebola virus,” he stated.

Dr. Jakor Oryema, Zone Chair for Zone 14 covering Lions Clubs of Pakwach, Nebbi, and Nyapea, urged effective utilisation of the supplies to maximise impact in the fight against the disease.

Cengmoko Opyem Joyce, a member of the Alur Kingdom Ebola Task Force and Nebbi Assistant District Health Officer for Maternal and Child Health, welcomed the donation as timely assistance for frontline efforts.

Alur Kingdom Partnership

Dr. Amos Nyathirombo, Arua Lions Club member, Alur Kingdom Minister of Health and Chairperson of the Alur Kingdom Ebola Task Force, led a delegation that included senior kingdom officials.

On behalf of the Alur Kingdom, he expressed profound appreciation to Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) for the grant, which supports communities across eight chiefdoms in the DRC inhabited by millions of Alur people.

The grant strengthens the Alur Kingdom’s internal Rapid Ebola Response Task Team, established by His Majesty Ubimu Phillip Rauni Olarker III.

The team has been actively involved in community mobilisation, sensitisation, radio talk shows, and training of traditional leaders on both sides of the border.

In a letter to the District Governor of Lions District 411B – Uganda, His Royal Majesty King Phillip Olarker Rauni III welcomed the assistance, noting the strong cultural and cross-border ties of Alur communities.

Prince Lawrence Opar Angala highlighted the donation as an example of effective partnership between the Alur Kingdom, local Lions clubs, and international humanitarian actors in addressing the cross-border threat.

Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), the charitable arm of Lions Clubs International founded in 1968, supports large-scale humanitarian projects in health, disaster relief, and disease prevention.

Since its establishment, LCIF has awarded over US$1.3 billion in grants, with 100% of donations directed to programmes.Lions District 411B covers Uganda and forms part of Multiple District 411.

The Alur Kingdom maintains deep cultural and trade connections across the Uganda-DRC border, placing its communities at elevated risk.

In a recent message, King Ubimu Olarker described the Ebola situation in eastern DRC as severe and urged communities to seek immediate medical care for symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, or bleeding; avoid home treatment.

On the same day as the handover, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni met at State House Entebbe with H.E. Dr. Kamba Mulanda Samuel Roger, DRC Minister of Public Health, who conveyed a special message from President Félix Tshisekedi.

President Museveni reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to supporting its neighbours through treatment, technical expertise, and regional cooperation. He proposed establishing Ebola treatment centres inside eastern DRC to enable early intervention closer to affected communities.

The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, which the World Health Organization describes as a severe and often fatal form of the disease, with no approved treatment or vaccine currently available.