Ugandan health authorities have heightened surveillance and contact tracing measures after a 59-year-old Congolese man died in Kampala after testing positive for Ebola Virus Disease linked to the ongoing outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The man, who had travelled from the DRC, died at Kibuli Hospital in Kampala after reportedly presenting hemorrhagic symptoms. Laboratory tests later confirmed he was infected with the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a variant first identified in Uganda in 2007.
Health officials have emphasised that the case was imported from the DRC and that Uganda has not recorded any active local Ebola transmission as of May 16, 2026.
According to Uganda’s Ministry of Health, authorities have intensified border screening, surveillance and contact tracing, particularly along routes connecting Uganda to eastern Congo, to prevent further spread.
The development comes amid a growing Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in eastern DRC, where the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says approximately 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths have already been reported, mainly in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones.
Preliminary laboratory tests conducted by the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale detected Ebola virus in 13 out of 20 samples tested, with health experts indicating the outbreak involves a non-Zaire strain of the virus.
Africa CDC warned that the outbreak poses a serious regional risk due to heavy cross-border movement between DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, especially in mining communities and conflict-affected areas.
“Africa CDC stands in solidarity with the Government and people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as they respond to this outbreak,” said Dr Jean Kaseya.
“Given the high population movement between affected areas and neighbouring countries, rapid regional coordination is essential. We are working with DRC, Uganda, South Sudan and partners to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and response, and to help contain the outbreak as quickly as possible,” he added.
In response to the outbreak, Africa CDC convened an urgent regional coordination meeting involving Uganda, DRC, South Sudan, the World Health Organization and other global health partners to strengthen preparedness and cross-border surveillance.
Uganda’s health authorities have reassured the public that no domestic outbreak has been declared and there is currently no evidence of community transmission within the country.
The country recently emerged from a Sudan strain Ebola outbreak that lasted from January to April 2025 and resulted in 14 confirmed cases and four deaths before it was officially declared over on April 26, 2025.
Health experts continue to urge the public to remain vigilant, maintain proper hygiene and avoid direct contact with suspected Ebola patients or bodies in affected areas.
