Trésor Wayitsomaya | July 17, 2026
News Brief
The resurgence of Ebola virus disease is once again disrupting the lives of people in several regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Kasugho, a village located about 45 kilometers from Lubero-centre, concern is growing among cassava farmers and local traders. Preventive measures, travel restrictions, and the fear of infection are slowing agricultural and commercial activities. Eveline Kavugho, a cassava flour reseller, mentions a decline in customers' purchasing power and a drop in prices. She explains: “Buyers are short of money. A bag of flour sells for around 70,000 Congolese francs ($31 US) in Kaseghe and about 80,000 francs ($35 US) in Kagheri. Farmers are limiting their trips to shopping centres because of the fear of Ebola. Many are also hesitant to entrust their produce to others due to a lack of trust.”
The resurgence of Ebola virus disease is once again disrupting the lives of people in several regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Kasugho, a village located about 45 kilometers from Lubero-centre, concern is growing among cassava farmers and local traders. Preventive measures, travel restrictions, and the fear of infection are slowing agricultural and commercial activities.
Kasugho is one of the main cassava flour production areas that supplies several commercial centres in the Lubero territory. But today, this activity is severely disrupted.
According to health authorities, more than 2,000 cases of Ebola virus disease had been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo as of July 13, 2026. Forty-two of the country’s 140 health zones have reported cases, while five provinces remain affected. This situation is impacting not only public health, but also agriculture, trade, livestock farming, transportation, and education.
In her cassava field, Kavira Lwanzo continues her work despite her worries. For this farmer, production isn’t the main problem. It’s selling the harvest that’s becoming increasingly difficult.
She explains: “We can harvest the cassava until we produce flour, but we are afraid to go to the market. We don’t know who is healthy and who has been in contact with the disease. Even when we wash our hands at checkpoints, we remain worried despite respecting the preventative measures.”
Like many farmers, Masika Vaghen, 56, a mother of six, travels nearly 15 kilometers to reach her field. She has noticed a sharp increase in the cost of transporting her crops.
She states: “We receive information about Ebola on the radio and through community relays. But today, it has become difficult to transport our produce. Before, two or three children could accompany the flour home. Now, the health authorities require only one person to make the journey. It is also difficult to find day laborers, as many fear being infected. The authorities must act quickly to end this health threat.”
For Kambale Maliro, 60, this situation is reminiscent of the previous Ebola epidemic that hit the Beni, Butembo and Lubero region hard in 2018.
He said: “I’ve settled in my field to limit travel. I grow cassava and bananas there. I sometimes send my grandsons to sell part of the harvest to buy salt and other essential goods. We are following the doctors’ advice broadcast on the radio, but our economic activities are severely disrupted.”
Traders are also feeling the consequences of this crisis.
Eveline Kavugho, a cassava flour reseller, mentions a decline in customers’ purchasing power and a drop in prices.
She explains: “Buyers are short of money. A bag of flour sells for around 70,000 Congolese francs ($31 US) in Kaseghe and about 80,000 francs ($35 US) in Kagheri. Farmers are limiting their trips to shopping centres because of the fear of Ebola. Many are also hesitant to entrust their produce to others due to a lack of trust.”
In Kasugho, the resurgence of Ebola now extends beyond the health crisis alone. It is jeopardizing the livelihoods of farming families, slowing down trade, and exacerbating the economic difficulties of rural communities.
This text was prepared byTrésor Wayitsomaya for Barza Wire and Radio Télévision Communautaire Tayna (RTCT), station de Kasugho (lubero).