Uganda blocks DRC mourners from King Oyo burial

Uganda has barred mourners from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from attending the burial of Tooro King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV, citing the ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC.

The ministry of Health issued the advisory as Tooro prepares to receive thousands of mourners for the burial of the 34-year-old king, who died after battling a rare form of brain cancer.

Charles Olaro, director General of Health Services, said the ministry expects a large influx of mourners, including subjects of the Tooro Kingdom living in eastern DRC, where an Ebola outbreak is ongoing.

King Oyo will be laid to rest on September 12 at the Karambi Royal Tombs. Since his body arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Friday, large crowds have lined the roads leading to the royal palace in Fort Portal City to pay their respects.

Tooro prime minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomire said the kingdom expects mourners from across the world, including members of royal families from Nigeria, the DRC and Eswatini who have expressed interest in attending the burial.

However, the ministry of Health said mourners from eastern DRC would not be permitted to travel to Uganda.

“The Uganda-DRC border remains closed, and travel remains restricted,” the ministry said in its advisory.

The ministry said an official link would be provided through government communication channels to allow Tooro subjects in the DRC and elsewhere to follow the burial proceedings virtually.

Uganda currently has no active Ebola cases. The country was declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO) after completing the required 42 days without recording a new case.

Uganda recorded 20 cases during the outbreak announced in May. The outbreak began with an imported case from the DRC, which was treated at a private hospital in Kampala.

Olaro said Uganda remains under active surveillance despite having no active cases, in an effort to prevent another Ebola spillover.

The restrictions are expected to affect Tooro subjects living in eastern DRC who had planned to travel to Fort Portal for the burial of their king.

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