Ministry of Health has has temporarily closed its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to ebola out break as authorities intensify containment measures..
The Ministry of Health’s Permanent Secretary told the media in Kampala that only humanitarian aid, Ebola response teams, security personnel and essential cargo will be allowed to cross during the restriction period.
“All authorised entrants will undergo screening, while travellers from the DRC are required to complete locator forms to support monitoring and contact tracing efforts.,”she stated.
She further directed that all arrivals from the DRC must undergo a 21-day self-isolation period in line with Ebola surveillance guidelines aimed at preventing further cross-border transmission.
Ebola that had Primarily hit Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces in the DRC, has been confirmed cases spreading into Uganda.
World Health authorities globally are conducting active surveillance for travelers from the affected regions, though the overall risk of infection outside Central Africa remains very low
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern after confirming cross-border transmission. According to WHO, the outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, formally known as Bundibugyo ebolavirus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
The Ministry of Health has since expanded surveillance, screening and monitoring systems in high-risk border districts however World Health Organization World Health Organization has cautioned that the epidemic is spreading rapidly amid limited medical resources and community mistrust.
Ebolaspreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and animals (typically fruit bats). While highly lethal, early supportive medical care significantly improves survival rates
Interventions in Uganda
Uganda has increased screening at border points in recent weeks and strengthened coordination with local health teams to detect and isolate suspected cases early. Authorities say the temporary border restrictions are designed to reduce the risk of further importation while maintaining essential humanitarian and trade flows.
Dr DianA Atwine says Uganda’s Ministry of Health requires an estimated UGX 90 billion to effectively contain the ongoing Ebola spread, though officials emphasize this is a baseline figure that will likely increase.
Foreign entities and international agencies—including the WHO, the US government, and the European Union—have already committed around UGX 130 billion to support regional response efforts across Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The U.S. Embassy in Uganda has mobilized a rapid, comprehensive response to contain the Ebola outbreak, collaborating closely with the Ministry of Health and committed millions in emergency assistance, and temporarily halting local visa services to prioritize public safety
The U.S. is funding the establishment of up to 50 emergency treatment clinics in affected regions to provide triage, isolation, and safe clinical containment perimeters.
