As we navigate through the ongoing Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in 2026, the Ministry of Health has released a comprehensive set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide individuals, communities, and organizations.
At Brainwave Careers Uganda Limited, we believe that an informed community is a safe community. Whether you are an employer, a job seeker attending a mass gathering, a market vendor, or simply commuting home, understanding these guidelines is crucial to protecting yourself and your loved ones.
Here is a breakdown of the key SOPs you need to follow.
For Individuals & Households: Your First Line of Defense
Ebola is severe and highly infectious, spreading through direct contact with blood, body fluids, or contaminated materials. You can stop the chain of transmission by following these rules:
- Recognize the Symptoms: Sudden fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, chest pain, unexplained bleeding, yellowing of eyes, or severe headache.
- Act Fast: If you or a family member display these symptoms, visit the nearest health facility immediately. Do not attend any public events.
- Hygiene First: Wash hands frequently with soap and running water, or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
- No Physical Contact: Avoid handshakes, hugging, and kissing.
- Isolate Immediately: If someone becomes sick, isolate them from others, alert health authorities, and do not administer home treatment.
SOPs for Mass Gatherings & Workplaces
Given the nature of our work at Brainwave Careers—connecting people for opportunities—we urge all event organizers, employers, and attendees to take note. Mass gatherings (sports, religious events, rallies, weddings) can be high-risk zones.
For Organizers:
- Notify Health Officials: You must notify the Ministry of Health or District Health Office before any event.
- Screening is Mandatory: Set up a health desk with temperature guns. Anyone with a temperature above 38°C must be isolated.
- Facilities Required:
- Hand washing points with soap/running water.
- 1 toilet stance for every 20 participants.
- An isolation tent/room with health workers.
- Adequate ventilation and waste management.
- Response Plan: If a suspected case occurs, isolate the person, notify authorities, disinfect the area, and arrange safe evacuation.
SOPs for Places of Worship
Faith communities are the heart of Uganda, but close interactions can spread the virus.
- Worship Leaders: Avoid laying hands on congregants, shaking hands, or touching worshippers during prayers.
- Physical Distancing: Maintain at least an arm’s length distance between worshippers.
- For Congregants: If you are sick, stay home and seek medical care. If someone vomits at the church/mosque, do not touch it; alert leaders who should clean with Jik while wearing protective gear.
SOPs for Markets & Public Transport
These are high-traffic areas where many working Ugandans earn their daily bread. Extra vigilance is required.
Markets:
- Management: Must provide handwashing points at all entries and clean surfaces regularly with disinfectant (Jik).
- Vendors & Customers: No handshakes. Do not attend the market if sick. Temperature screening may be conducted at entrances.
Public Transport (Taxis, Buses, Boda bodas, Ferries):
- For Drivers & Conductors: Do not transport visibly sick passengers. Keep hand sanitizer inside the vehicle. Clean vehicles regularly with Jik.
- For Passengers: Wash/sanitize hands before boarding. Avoid touching your face. Report any sick passenger to the conductor or health authorities.
SOPs for Burials: A Sensitive but Critical Area
Traditional burial rites can be a major source of Ebola transmission.
- Do Not Touch: Do not touch, wash, kiss, or hug the deceased. Body fluids remain infectious.
- Trained Teams Only: All burials of suspected or confirmed Ebola deaths must be conducted by trained burial teams.
- At the Ceremony: Provide handwashing stations, limit overcrowding, and avoid physical contact.
Final Word from Brainwave Careers
At Brainwave Careers Uganda Limited, your health is your greatest asset. Whether you are preparing for a job interview, attending a training session, or running your business, these SOPs are not just government guidelines—they are a roadmap to survival.
Let us all stay alert, stay informed, and stay safe.
Need to report a suspected case?
Call the Ministry of Health toll-free line: 0800-100-066
Or send a free SMS to 6767.
For more career advice and public health updates, keep following Brainwave Careers Uganda Limited.