The Ministry of Health has declared Uganda Ebola-free following the successful completion of the mandatory 42-day monitoring period after the last confirmed case.
The countdown began on June 16, 2026, when the last patient—a locally transmitted case—was discharged. No new infections were recorded during the period, meeting the criteria for declaring the end of the outbreak.
Uganda first announced the outbreak on May 15, 2026, after confirming imported cases from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Health officials attributed the successful containment to rapid case detection, effective contact tracing, strengthened laboratory systems and coordinated community engagement.
The ministry said sustained government investment in public health systems over the years enabled a swift and effective response to the outbreak.
Despite the declaration, authorities warned that Ebola remains a threat in the region, citing the ongoing outbreak in eastern DRC. Uganda has maintained heightened surveillance at border points and within communities to prevent new infections.
As part of regional containment efforts, Uganda has deployed two mobile laboratories and established an 80-bed Ebola treatment unit in Aru and Kasenyi in the DRC to support response measures at the source.
The government has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the DRC to implement a joint cross-border Ebola response.
The ministry noted that while the 42-day monitoring period remains a key global standard for declaring the end of Ebola outbreaks, additional epidemiological considerations may apply in cases involving clearly identified imported infections.
Officials said Uganda will continue strengthening surveillance systems, particularly in border districts, to sustain preparedness and prevent future outbreaks.
