Uganda, April 16 -- Information from the Health ministry shows that cases of red eyes have increased eight times from 954 on March 14 to 7,596 cases by April 6.

The upswing in cases now raises questions about the effectiveness of measures deployed to contain the contagious disease.

Figures from the Health ministry show that the majority of the 5,897 cases were reported by prisons across the country, with schools registering 700, communities 658, health centres 266, and police stations 75.

So far, the cases have been reported in Kampala, Arua, Mbale, and Kagadi, among other places, according to the ministry. In Kampala, schools in Rubaga Division reported the highest number at 288, Kawempe with 200, while Makindye had 164, and Nakawa 48...