By Maria Mariam Namala
KAMPALA.Uganda has announced the containment of Ebola disease which struck the country early this year.
The declaration was made by the Minister of Health, Dr Chris Baryomunsi in Kampala on Tuesday.
“The Ministry of Health is pleased to announce that Uganda has officially declared the end of the 2026 Ebola Disease outbreak. Today, Uganda is Ebola free,” Baryomunsi announced at Uganda Media Centre
The declaration follows the successful completion of the mandatory 42-day monitoring period, which began after the discharge of the last Ugandan national, a locally transmitted patient on 16th June 2026.
“Throughout this period, the Ministry of Health maintained intensive surveillance nationwide, and no new Ebola cases have been detected,” Baryomunsi said.
Unlike previous Ebola outbreaks that informed the current 42-day declaration policy, the Health Minister said Uganda’s 2026 Ebola outbreak arose from a fully documented importation event.
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.
Enhanced surveillance has detected no unexplained community transmission.
“Since the development of the current international guidance, significant advances have transformed outbreak investigation and response. Today, rapid molecular diagnostics, whole genome sequencing, digital surveillance, real-time contact tracing and strengthened incident management systems provide a level of epidemiological certainty that was not previously possible.”
Uganda declared the Ebola outbreak on May 15, 2026 following the confirmation of imported cases from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). During the outbreak, Uganda registered a total of 20 confirmed cases, of whom 18 recovered while 2 sadly lost their lives. Of these cases, 15 were imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), while 5 were Ugandan nationals who acquired the infection as care workers of the imported cases.
“Uganda has defeated this outbreak because of the strong investments the Government has made over the years in building resilient public health systems. Our ability to quickly detect cases, trace and monitor contacts, provide quality treatment, strengthen laboratory services, and work closely with communities ensured that the outbreak was rapidly brought under control,” Baryomunsi said.
As the country celebrates Ebola defeat, the Health Ministry said that the public must remember that Ebola remains a threat in the region.
The outbreak in the neighbouring DRC is still evolving, and Uganda remains on high alert at border points and within communities, strengthened rapid response teams, and continues to work closely with districts across the country to ensure that Uganda remains prepared to respond quickly to any suspected case.
As part of the regional response, the Government of Uganda signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of DRC to implement a cross-border Joint Ebola Response. In light of this, Uganda has set up two mobile laboratories and an 80-bed Ebola Treatment Units in Aru and Kasenyi in DRC. Containing the outbreak at its source is critical to protecting both our countries and the wider region.
Although Uganda is now Ebola free, the government said that it will continue strengthening surveillance, and maintaining preparedness across the country particularly in border districts.
The Ministry of Health appealed to the border communities to remain alert and report any illegal entry of persons into the country.