KAMPALA, July 22, 2026 — The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention [ Africa CDC ] has urged the United States Government to urgently review and lift temporary Ebola-related entry restrictions imposed on travellers from Uganda, citing significant improvements in the country’s outbreak situation.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Africa CDC Director General Dr Jean Kaseya said Uganda had made substantial progress in containing the Ebola outbreak and now warranted a fresh, evidence-based assessment by U.S. authorities.
Kaseya noted that Uganda has not recorded a new confirmed Ebola case since 21 June 2026, has discharged its last patient and is currently observing the 42-day countdown required before an outbreak can officially be declared over.
He said all 836 identified contacts had completed the required follow-up, while surveillance remains active in 36 high-risk districts and at 38 points of entry across the country.
According to Africa CDC, Uganda has maintained robust public health measures, including laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, case management, risk communication and community-based surveillance.
Kaseya attributed the progress to strong national leadership, the dedication of Uganda’s health workers and communities, and close collaboration between Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo [DRC], Africa CDC and other partners.
While acknowledging that Ebola transmission continues in parts of the DRC, he said Uganda’s proven ability to detect, report and respond rapidly to outbreaks justified a country-specific assessment rather than blanket restrictions.
“Public health measures must follow the evidence,” Kaseya said, calling for safeguards that reflect Uganda’s current epidemiological situation.
He recommended risk-based measures such as departure and arrival screening, traveller health declarations, exposure-based monitoring and the rapid referral of symptomatic travellers as effective alternatives to broad entry restrictions.
The Africa CDC also stressed that countries which detect outbreaks early, report them transparently and respond decisively should be recognised and supported, arguing that evidence-based decisions help build trust, strengthen international cooperation and encourage timely reporting during future public health emergencies.
Kaseya said Africa CDC was ready to provide the latest surveillance data to the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, facilitate direct technical consultations and support any additional verification required.
He said Uganda’s progress deserved international recognition while emphasising that continued vigilance remained essential until the outbreak is officially declared over.
As DRC continues to battle rising infections that have claimed nearly 1,000 lives, the latest outbreak update from the Africa CDC, shows Uganda remains with 20 confirmed cases and two deaths, while all identified contacts have completed the mandatory follow-up period.
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