Population mobility patterns across borders are assessed using Population Connectivity Across Borders (PoPCAB) tool kit. Understanding population movement patterns across borders is important to inform preparedness and Response activities for public health emergencies and prevention of disease spread across borders. The Ministry of Health in Uganda in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Kenya organized PoPCAB activity along the Lwakhakha point of entry. The participants were drawn from Uganda MoH, Uganda FELTP fellows, Kenya FELTP Residents, FELTP field coordinators, and representatives from implementing partners (CDC).

The activity was carried out in four days between 1st and 4th November 2022. The Kenya FELTP delegation was led by Field Coordinator Fredrick Odhiambo accompanied by Oscar Gaunya, Ednah Salat, Freshia Waithaka, and Serah Nkocho who are residents in the Advanced level training. The overall goal of the activity was to characterize population movement patterns and describe the degree of population connectivity within and across Lwakhakha borders to inform infectious disease detection (EVD) preparedness and response planning and resource allocation.

The qualitative methods used were key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and site-specific questionnaires to understand movement patterns and specific motivations that may spur travel. Geospatial methods incorporated population data, open-source remote sensing data, geocoded disease data, and points data of key interest, such as healthcare facilities that may drive mobility.