For over six months, Uganda has been grappling with an mpox outbreak, initially concentrated in low-income urban settlements. However, recent trends indicate a worrying shift, as the virus is now spreading into middle-class neighborhoods and corporate workplaces. Health experts are raising alarms about this transition, emphasizing that commercial sex work has played a significant role in enabling the virus to reach new social and economic groups.
Mpox, a viral infection characterized by fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive rash, spreads primarily through close physical contact. In Uganda, the outbreak first took hold in overcrowded settlements where poor sanitation, limited healthcare access, and high-risk social behaviors facilitated its rapid transmission. These areas, often home to individuals engaged in informal work and precarious living conditions, became early hotspots for the disease.
According to Uganda’s Ministry of Health, factors such as shared living spaces, limited personal hygiene facilities, and delayed access to medical care contributed to the initial concentration of cases in low-income communities. However, as the outbreak progressed, new infections started appearing in different demographics, signaling a change in transmission patterns.
Health officials have identified commercial sex work as a crucial driver of mpox’s spread beyond its initial clusters. Dr. Henry Kyobe, Uganda’s Incident Commander for the Mpox Response, explains that the nature of the industry allows the virus to move across social and economic classes.
“Commercial sex work has been a major factor in the expansion of mpox beyond initial clusters. Clients come from different backgrounds, and as a result, the virus is no longer confined to one social group,” Dr. Kyobe stated.
Because mpox spreads through skin-to-skin contact, including intimate interactions, commercial sex work has created a bridge between high-risk populations and individuals in middle-class communities. As a result, corporate workers and professionals who engage in such interactions unknowingly contribute to the disease’s expansion into new areas.
As of February 20, 2025, Uganda has recorded:
- 3,310 confirmed cases since the outbreak began.
- 521 cases in the last 14 days.
- 73 new cases in the past 72 hours.
- 22 cumulative deaths linked to the virus.
The outbreak has now been reported in at least 90 districts, with Kampala leading in the number of confirmed cases. Other affected areas include Masaka City, Wakiso, Lwengo, Mukono, Kyotera, Mbale City, and Bushenyi, all of which recorded new infections by late February.
With mpox now appearing in workplaces and middle-class neighborhoods, health officials warn that new strategies are needed to prevent further spread. The Ministry of Health urges the public to:
Increase vigilance – Individuals experiencing symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, or rashes should seek immediate medical attention.
Limit close contact – Avoiding skin-to-skin interactions with infected individuals remains one of the most effective prevention measures.
Enhance workplace awareness – Companies should educate employees about mpox symptoms and preventive measures, particularly in environments where close interactions are common.
Dr. Kyobe stressed the need for a coordinated response to halt further transmission. “We must focus on targeted interventions, including addressing high-risk social behaviors, increasing public awareness, and ensuring timely medical response.”
Containing mpox in Uganda will require a multi-pronged approach that includes health education, medical preparedness, and addressing social factors that contribute to the spread. While the early outbreak disproportionately affected low-income communities, the virus’s expansion into middle-class offices shows that no group is immune.
Public health experts emphasize that tackling the outbreak effectively will involve increasing access to healthcare, promoting responsible social behaviors, and ensuring that all segments of society take necessary precautions. Only through a united national effort can Uganda hope to curb the continued spread of mpox.
