Cholera Hits Elegu Town Amid Public Health Alert.

By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda Updated at 1108 EAT on Tuesday 8 July 2025

A cholera outbreak has been confirmed in Elegu Town Council, a busy border town in Amuru District, northern Uganda. Located at the Uganda–South Sudan border, Elegu has reported multiple cases of the highly contagious waterborne disease. All 14 samples taken from suspected patients and tested at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital laboratory returned positive for cholera.

The samples were collected last week after individuals including a four-year-old child presented symptoms of acute vomiting and diarrhea. Milton Okello, the Amuru district surveillance focal point, confirmed the outbreak over the weekend.

Milton Okello reported that 13 additional individuals are currently in isolation at Bibia Health Centre III after testing positive for cholera using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). In total, 27 patients are isolated across various health facilities, with the majority receiving treatment at Bibia Health Centre III.

Okello also revealed that 84 contacts have already been traced and warned that the number of cases could increase if residents of Elegu do not strictly adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Geoffrey Osborn Oceng, the Amuru Resident District Commissioner (RDC), said the district is collaborating closely with the Ministry of Health to contain the outbreak. He confirmed that a district-level task force has been activated and expressed confidence that the situation can be managed effectively.

Oceng, who chairs the district cholera task force, added that medical supplies for treating cholera remain available, especially at Bibia Health Centre III, where most patients are receiving care.

Local leaders have voiced frustration over delays in emergency response and the shortage of transport for suspected cholera patients. Kassim Akule, LC I chairperson of Lorikwor West village in Elegu town council, revealed that due to the absence of a district ambulance, many families are forced to hire private vehicles to rush their loved ones to treatment centers.

Akule, whose four family members developed severe cholera symptoms early Monday, said he sought ambulance assistance from the Amuru district health department but was told to wait. With no other option available, he had to arrange private transport to take them to Bibia Health Centre III.

He added that between five and six people have been evacuated daily for treatment since the outbreak began last Thursday, warning that without increased support for the emergency response team, the situation could quickly escalate out of control.

“The situation in Elegu is dire. Over the past four days, about five people have shown cholera symptoms, yet we have no ambulance available. Residents and even health workers at local facilities are fearful,” said Kassim Akule.

Currently, most suspected cases are being managed by overstretched staff from Elegu port health, who face severe personnel shortages. Efforts to contact Amuru district health officer Dr. Alfred Okello for comment were unsuccessful, as repeated calls went unanswered.

This latest outbreak follows less than three months after Lamwo district declared an end to a cholera outbreak in Agoro sub-county, which recorded 106 cases and one death.

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