Uganda has officially declared the end of its 2026 Ebola disease outbreak after completing the mandatory 42-day monitoring period without recording any new infections. “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,” Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi announced this at a media briefing in Kampala on the 28th of July.
The declaration follows the discharge of the last Ugandan patient, a locally transmitted case, on 16th of June 2026, and the successful completion of 42 days of surveillance during which no additional infections were detected.
The outbreak was declared on the 15th of May, 2026 after infected individuals crossed into Uganda from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Unlike previous Ebola outbreaks, Uganda’s 2026 outbreak originated from a fully documented importation event. The source of infection was identified, the route of transmission established, all confirmed cases were epidemiologically linked, and every identified contact completed the mandatory 21-day follow-up period without developing the disease. Enhanced surveillance also found no evidence of undetected community transmission. By the end of the outbreak, Uganda had registered 20 confirmed cases. Of these, 18 patients recovered while two lost their lives. Fifteen of the 20 cases were imported from the DRC, with five occurring among Ugandan health workers caring for infected patients.
Uganda’s containment response was swift and systematic. President Museveni ordered Ugandans to stop shaking hands and postponed a major annual Catholic pilgrimage that attracts thousands from Congo. Public transportation and flights between Uganda and Congo were suspended. The WHO commended Uganda’s response, citing the country’s specialised Ebola treatment facilities, trained emergency medical teams, and readily available medical supplies as key factors that enabled a swift and effective response.
Uganda’s declaration arrives against a deeply troubling backdrop. Confirmed cases in the DRC have reached 3,262, with 1,437 deaths recorded, in what officials have described as the fastest Ebola outbreak on record. The Bundibugyo strain responsible for both outbreaks has no approved vaccine or treatment, making containment entirely dependent on isolation, contact tracing, and supportive care.
Despite the declaration, Uganda’s Ministry of Health has maintained that the risk of Ebola importation remains high due to the ongoing outbreak in the DRC. Surveillance has been intensified at points of entry and in high-risk districts along the border, while health workers continue to screen travellers and engage border communities on Ebola prevention and early reporting.
Uganda’s declaration is a genuine public health achievement. The system worked, quickly, precisely, and completely. But with the DRC outbreak still accelerating across the border, the Health Minister’s parting message carried weight: “Remain alert and continue observing public health measures.” Uganda is Ebola-free. The threat that produced the outbreak is not.
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