KAMPALA, Uganda – Entebbe International Airport has received Ebola response equipment worth Shs3.4 billion in a major effort to strengthen Uganda’s disease surveillance and border health security amid the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
The equipment, donated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), includes 66 automated hand sanitizer dispensers and advanced thermo scanners designed to enhance passenger screening and early detection of suspected Ebola cases at Uganda’s main international gateway.
The donation was handed over to the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) on June 12, 2026, with support from the U.S. Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD).
Uganda has been battling an Ebola outbreak since last month. According to health authorities, two Congolese nationals have died from the disease in Uganda, while the country has so far recorded 19 confirmed cases. Of these, 14 are imported cases and five are local transmissions.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the IOM Chief of Mission in Uganda, Sanusi Tejan Savage, said the equipment would significantly improve screening and surveillance efforts at Entebbe International Airport.
He noted that strengthening health monitoring systems at points of entry remains critical in preventing the further spread of Ebola and ensuring that suspected cases are identified and managed promptly.
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Uganda, Leonard Zulu, welcomed the donation, saying the equipment would expedite passenger screening procedures while enhancing the airport’s capacity to detect potential Ebola cases.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwiine, revealed that health authorities have so far monitored approximately 800 contacts linked to confirmed Ebola cases.
According to Dr. Atwiine, about 400 contacts have already completed the mandatory 21-day monitoring period and have been discharged, while the remaining individuals are expected to complete their observation period next week.
She added that the Ministry of Health has intensified screening and surveillance activities, particularly at border points in western Uganda, which remain critical entry routes for cross-border travelers.
Uganda’s newly appointed Minister of Health, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, commended IOM and its partners for supporting the country’s Ebola response efforts.
He urged UCAA to ensure the proper maintenance and utilization of the equipment and reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening regional disease control mechanisms. The minister also announced plans to establish emergency response centers in the Democratic Republic of Congo to help reduce the risk of cross-border Ebola transmission.
The Acting Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, Olive Birungi Lumonya, said the equipment arrives at a crucial time when the aviation sector is facing challenges linked to Ebola-related travel concerns.
She noted that some international carriers, including Air Arabia and Flydubai, have suspended travel operations involving Uganda due to fears surrounding the outbreak, placing additional pressure on airport health and safety systems.
Health officials remain optimistic that enhanced screening measures at Entebbe International Airport will help contain the outbreak, protect travelers, and restore confidence in Uganda’s public health response.
Keywords: Entebbe International Airport, Ebola outbreak Uganda, UCAA, IOM Uganda, Ebola screening equipment, Uganda health news, Diana Atwiine, Chris Baryomunsi, Ebola surveillance, Uganda airport screening.
