A senior member of the ruling Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) has died after being violently attacked shortly after taking part in a radio program about Ebola prevention in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Marie-Célestin Karondwa Mwanaweka Bytaty, the acting head of the UDPS federal electoral commission in Butembo and a party communicator, was attacked on Sunday after appearing on Radio Mwangaza, according to the party and local reports. He later died from his injuries.
The UDPS said Karondwa’s belongings were taken and his home was set on fire. The party linked the attack to his public support for government measures to contain the Ebola outbreak, although the circumstances and responsibility for the attack remain under investigation. The incident highlights growing community resistance and mistrust surrounding the outbreak, which has also affected health workers and Ebola response operations in parts of the country. The World Health Organization has said misinformation, insecurity and difficulties accessing healthcare are complicating efforts to detect cases, trace contacts and provide timely treatment.
The current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, was declared on May 15, 2026. By September 28, Congolese authorities had recorded 8,067 confirmed cases and 3,901 deaths, making it the largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak recorded in the country. The WHO says the outbreak has spread across 63 health zones in seven provinces, with North Kivu among the affected areas. The agency has stressed that community cooperation is essential to controlling transmission. Karondwa’s death adds to concerns over the risks faced by people involved in public health awareness as authorities struggle to contain the rapidly expanding outbreak.
