FOR $10 HELP REFUGEES HOST COMMUNITIES IN UGANDA

Kigezi Healthcare Foundation has increased community sensitization and education about Ebola among the refugees and host communities in the West Nile region that hosts more than one million refugees from Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. Misinformation surrounding Ebola, particularly during the 2026 DRC outbreak, includes claims that the disease is a hoax, a manufactured bioweapon, or a government plot for financial gain with roughly 1 in 3 people in affected areas doubting its existence. These myths fuel stigma, disrupt treatment, and encourage dangerous, ineffective prevention methods.Many believe Ebola is not real, is a "satanic" disease, or is merely media hype. Claims that the virus was created by foreign doctors, government officials, or for organ harvesting, False rumours suggest drinking high-alcohol drinks, or bathing with salt/hot water provides immunity, notes. With all this misinformation moving around there is an increased risk of more people coming from Congo to Uganda to escape the disease. They already have relatives in Uganda and it is much easier for people to slip quietly through the porous boarders and stay with relatives unnoticed. Much of the community education focusses on the identification of new comers from Congo by the community leaders. Uganda has so far recorded 19 cases of Ebola where 14 of them were imported from Congo and four Health workers infected as a result of contacts with the Ebola patients. The information delivered is designed by Ministry of Health and it has to be consistent. Radio talk shows, Education in the religious institutions and Market places. Posters are being displayed in different languages. People are asked to remain calm.

Kigezi Healthcare foundation has distributed seeds to over 200 families to prepare for the upcoming planting season. The short planting season runs from March to May and the critical plants that can easily be harvested within three months are planted during this period. The common plants for this season include beans sweet potatoes vegetables and many others. To improve food security during short, often unpredictable rain periods, refugees should focus on high-yield, drought-tolerant, and fast-maturing crops that can be harvested within 60–90 days. Utilizing specialized techniques like small-scale home gardening (e.g., 45 sq meters), mulching, and using drought-tolerant seeds are crucial strategies for success in these environments.  Fast Maturing legumes are ideal for short, erratic seasons because they fix nitrogen into the soil and provide crucial protein, maturing quickly. Plants such as green grams are extremely fast maturing and drought resistant, cow peas are drought resistant and they produce edible leaves and seeds making them excellent for quick and diverse nutrition. Basic inputs like hoes rakes etc are also provided to facilitate cultivation. Uganda empowers refugees through a progressive "open-door" policy, granting rights to work, freedom of movement, and access to land for cultivation, education, and healthcare. The framework promotes self-reliance by integrating refugees into local communities and national development plans, fostering independence rather than permanent aid dependency. Empowering refugees in Uganda to improve food security involves transitioning from food aid dependence to self-reliance through, primarily, agricultural initiatives, land access, and market integration. Key strategies include implementing block farming, providing agricultural inputs (seeds, tools), training in climate-smart techniques, and fostering financial inclusion through savings groups.