Uganda declared its 2026 Ebola disease outbreak over on Tuesday, July 28, after authorities said all identified contacts completed monitoring and enhanced surveillance found no unexplained community transmission. The Health Ministry reported 20 confirmed infections, including 15 imported cases and five locally acquired cases, with 18 recoveries and two deaths.
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo type of Ebola virus, was confirmed on May 15 after infected people crossed from neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo to seek care. Ugandan authorities have consistently described their cases as part of the larger cross-border outbreak centered in Congo's eastern Ituri province, where transmission is continuing.
The ministry said Uganda could close its outbreak because the importation chain was fully documented, all identified contacts underwent institutional quarantine, and they completed the required 21-day follow-up without further transmission. Its July 28 dashboard listed no current admissions or active contacts, 2,482 people tested, 604 alerts received and 5,465 travelers screened at points of entry.
WHO had said on July 16 that the discharge of Uganda's last patient began a conventional 42-day countdown, equal to two maximum incubation periods, and warned that another imported case would reset it. The ministry's later declaration instead cited the documented origin of the infections and completed contact monitoring. Officials said surveillance remains necessary because the regional outbreak has not ended.
Uganda's response included laboratory testing, case management, contact tracing, infection controls, community communication and cooperation with Congo. WHO said it deployed about 70 technical experts, while surveillance covered 36 high-risk districts and 38 entry points. The Bundibugyo virus involved in this outbreak has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, making rapid detection and isolation especially important.
The declaration is a national milestone rather than an end to the regional emergency. Congo continued to report thousands of cases and deaths, according to its authorities and AP, while insecurity has complicated work in affected areas. Uganda is maintaining cross-border readiness and a six-month response plan so new alerts or imported infections can be investigated quickly.
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