KAMPALA — Uganda has officially declared the end of the 2026 Ebola outbreak after completing the required monitoring period without recording any new cases, marking a successful containment of the disease that entered the country through an imported infection event from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The announcement was made on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, by the Minister of Health, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, who confirmed that Uganda had achieved Ebola-free status following weeks of intensified surveillance, contact tracing and response measures.
“Uganda is officially Ebola Free,” Dr Baryomunsi announced.
The declaration followed the discharge of the last Ugandan patient on June 16, 2026, after which health authorities completed the mandatory 42-day surveillance period without detecting any additional infections.
Dr Baryomunsi said the country had successfully interrupted transmission and reassured citizens, visitors and international partners that Uganda remains safe for travel, business and tourism.
“The Ministry of Health wishes to reassure all Ugandans, visitors, investors and members of the international community that Uganda is safe, our health system remains fully alert, and the country is open for business, tourism and all socio-economic activities,” he said.
Documented Importation and Rapid Containment
According to the Ministry of Health, the 2026 outbreak was different from previous Ebola outbreaks because the source of infection was fully documented, allowing health authorities to quickly trace and contain transmission.
The outbreak was declared on May 15, 2026, after imported cases of Bundibugyo ebolavirus crossed into Uganda from the DRC.
Uganda recorded 20 confirmed cases, including 18 recoveries and two deaths.
Of the confirmed infections, 15 cases were linked to imported infections from the DRC, while five Ugandan health workers contracted the virus while caring for patients who had arrived from the neighbouring country.
The Ministry said all confirmed cases were epidemiologically linked, transmission chains were mapped and reconstructed, and all identified contacts were placed under institutional quarantine and completed the mandatory 21-day follow-up period without evidence of further spread.
“The source of infection was identified, the route of introduction established, all confirmed cases were epidemiologically linked, transmission chains were completely characterised and reconstructed, and all identified contacts were institutionally quarantined and completed the mandatory 21-day follow-up without evidence of further transmission,” the Ministry said.
Technology Strengthens Response
Health officials said the outbreak response benefited from modern disease surveillance tools, including rapid molecular diagnostics, whole-genome sequencing and real-time contact tracing.
Genomic analysis identified the circulating strain as a distinct variant of the Bundibugyo virus, enabling scientists and health teams to better understand transmission patterns and respond effectively.
The Ministry noted that while the standard 42-day benchmark remains an important safeguard during infectious disease outbreaks, advanced epidemiological tools can provide clearer evidence of containment when transmission chains are fully understood.
Cross-Border Measures Remain Active
Although Uganda has declared the outbreak over within its borders, health authorities warned that Ebola remains a regional health concern because cases continue to occur in the DRC.
To strengthen regional preparedness, Uganda entered into a cross-border Joint Ebola Response arrangement with the DRC, deploying additional resources to support containment efforts.
These measures included: two mobile laboratories stationed in Aru and Kasenyi in the DRC; an 80-bed Ebola Treatment Unit established in border areas; and continued surveillance and monitoring at border entry points.
The Ministry said border surveillance will remain active to quickly detect and respond to any possible imported cases.
Members of the public, particularly those living in border districts, have been urged to remain vigilant and report suspected symptoms through the Ministry of Health toll-free line 0800-100-066 or SMS platform 6767.
Commendation for Health Workers
Dr Baryomunsi credited Uganda’s experienced health workers, surveillance teams, laboratory specialists and local leaders for containing the outbreak.
He also acknowledged President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s continued support in strengthening Uganda’s epidemic preparedness and response systems.
Uganda has previously managed several Ebola and Marburg outbreaks, building a reputation for rapid detection, isolation, contact tracing and community engagement during public health emergencies.
The World Health Organisation has repeatedly recognised Uganda’s outbreak response capacity, particularly its surveillance systems and ability to coordinate emergency responses.
The declaration of Ebola-free status marks the conclusion of months of intensive work by health teams and reinforces Uganda’s position as one of Africa’s most experienced countries in managing viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks.