Uganda tightens Ebola surveillance, restricts border movements to prevent fresh outbreak
The public has been advised to report suspected Ebola cases through the Ministry of Health toll-free hotline 0800-100-066, SMS alert number 6767 or U-Report 8500
KAMPALA, October 26, 2026 – Uganda has intensified Ebola surveillance at all border entry points, imposed restrictions on non-essential travel from the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC] and strengthened quarantine measures to prevent fresh infections as the disease continues to spread in the neighbouring country.
Government has also deployed more than 120 health personnel to the DRC, established three Ebola treatment units with a combined capacity of 240 beds and stepped-up laboratory testing and cross-border collaboration to contain the outbreak at its source.
Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi, in a statement issued on Sunday, said the measures are intended to protect Uganda from imported infections while supporting efforts to interrupt transmission in affected communities across the border.
Under the tightened measures, all travellers entering Uganda by air, land or water must undergo mandatory health screening and complete Passenger Locator Forms to facilitate contact tracing and follow-up where necessary.
Government has also intensified screening at Entebbe International Airport, land border crossings and designated road checkpoints, with no exemptions for diplomats or United Nations personnel.
At Entebbe International Airport, authorities have reinforced hygiene requirements, including the regular disinfection of baggage trays and mandatory hand sanitisation for passengers and staff during passport handling and other travel procedures.
Baryomunsi said travellers who have been identified as contacts of confirmed Ebola cases will be barred from leaving Uganda until they complete the mandatory 21-day monitoring period.
Individuals who have had contact with suspected cases will also undergo precautionary institutional quarantine for 21 days from their last exposure.
Movement across the Uganda–DRC border has been restricted to essential travellers, including humanitarian workers and truck drivers, who must comply with mandatory health screening requirements.
Under resolutions adopted by the National Task Force in May 2026, non-essential travellers who are DRC nationals will be returned to their country through the nearest border entry point at their own cost.
Ugandans returning from the DRC will be required to undergo 21 days of quarantine at their own expense, while travellers with a history of travel to the DRC will not be permitted to transit through Uganda, including on chartered flights.
The minister warned that individuals who evade screening, conceal information during public health investigations or violate quarantine and isolation requirements risk prosecution under the Public Health Act, as amended.
Security agencies, under the coordination of Resident District Commissioners, will support health authorities in enforcing the measures.
Despite the heightened surveillance, Baryomunsi reassured the public that Uganda remains free of Ebola.
“I would like to re-emphasise to all Ugandans and the international community that as of today, 25th October, 2026, Uganda remains Ebola-free,” he said.
Uganda confirmed an outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease on May 15, 2026 following a cross-border introduction involving DRC nationals seeking treatment in Ugandan hospitals.
Government declared the outbreak over on July 28, 2026 after successfully interrupting local transmission. No additional confirmed cases have been recorded in Uganda since then.
However, the minister cautioned that the continued transmission of Ebola in the DRC, coupled with frequent cross-border movement for trade, travel and family activities, presents an ongoing threat.
He said the government is pursuing a two-pronged strategy involving stronger domestic preparedness and direct support to affected communities in the DRC.
60 contacts linked to Kenyan Ebola case discharged
In a significant development, the Ministry of Health announced that all 60 contacts identified in Uganda in connection with a recent Ebola case involving a Kenyan traveller have completed their mandatory 21-day monitoring period.
The contacts included personnel at border entry and exit points, hotel employees and transport operators who interacted with the traveller.
According to the ministry, none developed symptoms consistent with Ebola during the monitoring period, and all have been discharged from follow-up.
The minister described the development as an important milestone in Uganda’s precautionary response, attributing it to the dedication of health workers involved in contact tracing and daily monitoring.
Meanwhile, investigations into a separate Ebola case involving a Nigerian traveller are continuing in collaboration with Nigerian health authorities and international partners.
The investigations are examining genomic sequencing findings, travel records and the traveller’s activities and interactions while in Uganda and en route to Abuja, Nigeria.
Baryomunsi said the findings would be made public once the investigations are completed.
He also dismissed concerns about Ebola infections in Kasese District, saying the area had neither recorded confirmed cases nor deaths from the disease.
Uganda establishes Ebola treatment facilities in DRC
As part of efforts to prevent further cross-border transmission, Uganda has expanded its health intervention in the DRC, where its medical teams are working alongside Congolese authorities in Arua, Kasenyi and Butembo.
Government has established three treatment facilities with a combined capacity of 240 beds and plans to operationalise a fourth facility at Bulongo to improve access to treatment for communities on the Congolese side of the border, including Kasindi.
The minister said the Bulongo facility would reduce the need for patients with suspected Ebola symptoms to cross into Uganda in search of medical care.
More than 120 Ugandan personnel, including clinicians, laboratory specialists, infection prevention teams and support staff, have been deployed to support the intervention.
In Aru, Ugandan teams initially expanded a 10-bed isolation unit to 29 beds before constructing an 80-bed treatment facility.
In Kasenyi/Tchomia, the establishment of local treatment and laboratory services has reduced the need to transfer patients approximately 60 kilometres to Bunia.
The 80-bed facility in Butembo can be expanded to 120 beds and provides care for children, adults, pregnant women and critically ill patients.
The minister said the facilities have strengthened round-the-clock clinical care, including oxygen provision, patient monitoring, emergency treatment and laboratory investigations.
According to figures presented in the statement, the proportion of confirmed patients who died at the supported facilities was 17.7 percent in Aru, 15 percent in Kasenyi and 15.9 percent in Butembo, compared with the reported national figure of 48.2 per cent in the DRC.
The deployment of mobile laboratories has also reduced the turnaround time for Ebola test results from four to five days to approximately four to six hours.
The three facilities now have the combined capacity to conduct up to 2,200 tests daily.
According to the ministry, daily testing has increased 4.1-fold, while cumulative testing has risen by 45.6 per cent, enabling faster identification of infections and earlier clinical intervention.
In Kasenyi, approximately 48 percent of confirmed cases were identified through integrated outpatient screening following more than 950 outpatient visits.
Ugandan teams have also trained 748 Congolese health workers to strengthen local capacity for disease surveillance, infection prevention and clinical management.
Regional cooperation strengthened
Beyond the DRC, Uganda has expanded cooperation with neighbouring countries to strengthen regional preparedness and response.
The minister said Uganda has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with South Sudan, deployed technical teams to the Central African Republic and is working with Rwanda to strengthen Ebola preparedness.
He called upon regional governments and international development partners to mobilise additional resources and coordinate their efforts to prevent the outbreak from escalating into a wider international health emergency.
“The recent cases involving travellers remind us that no country can consider itself beyond risk while transmission continues elsewhere,” Baryomunsi said.
He emphasised the importance of timely information sharing, coordinated surveillance and sustained support for communities affected by Ebola in the DRC.
The minister also urged governments and development partners to ensure that efforts to contain Ebola do not undermine essential health services, including routine immunisation and maternal healthcare.
“Uganda has demonstrated that Ebola can be contained, but no country can remain safe while transmission continues across its borders. We must act together, stop Ebola at its source, strengthen regional health security and mobilise the resources required to prevent a wider international emergency. The time for decisive collective action is now,” he said.
Baryomunsi urged Ugandans, travellers and visitors to remain vigilant, practise regular handwashing and cooperate with health workers implementing surveillance and other preventive measures.
The public has been advised to report suspected Ebola cases through the Ministry of Health toll-free hotline 0800-100-066, SMS alert number 6767 or U-Report 8500.
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
