Uganda Declares End to Ebola Outbreak After No New Cases, Ministry of Health Confirms
KAMPALA, Uganda – The Ministry of Health has officially declared Uganda free from the deadly Ebola virus disease, marking the successful end of the country’s latest outbreak after weeks of intensive surveillance and response efforts.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, by the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, during a briefing in Kampala. Health authorities confirmed that Uganda has gone through the required monitoring period without recording any new Ebola infections since the last patient was discharged on June 16, 2026.
The declaration was also confirmed by the Ministry of Health’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine, in a statement shared on her official X account on Tuesday.
According to the Ministry, the outbreak was triggered by a single imported Ebola case from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Health officials successfully traced all contacts and implemented strict quarantine measures, preventing the virus from spreading into communities.
In total, the outbreak resulted in 20 confirmed Ebola cases and two deaths, with authorities crediting Uganda’s rapid emergency response system for containing the disease before it escalated.
Health officials commended frontline medical workers, surveillance teams, laboratory experts, and community health volunteers for their dedication in detecting, isolating, and monitoring suspected cases.
The Ministry also acknowledged the cooperation of local communities and development partners whose support contributed to ending the outbreak.
Uganda has experienced several Ebola outbreaks over the years and has built one of Africa’s strongest disease surveillance and response systems. Officials said the country’s experience enabled health teams to act quickly, limiting transmission and protecting surrounding communities.
Despite the declaration, the Ministry of Health urged the public to remain vigilant and continue reporting suspected cases of infectious diseases promptly.
Government officials also called on neighbouring countries and international partners to review and lift any travel advisories or restrictions imposed during the outbreak, noting that Uganda has now met the World Health Organization’s criteria for declaring the outbreak over.
The successful containment of the virus reinforces Uganda’s reputation for effective public health emergency management and highlights the importance of rapid detection, contact tracing, and coordinated response in controlling infectious disease outbreaks
