Uganda declared Ebola-free after 42 days since last patient discharge

KAMPALA, Uganda – The Ugandan government has officially announced the status of Ebola disease in the country.

Uganda Minister of Health Dr Chris Baryomunsi issued the declaration after 42 days since the last Ebola patient was discharged on June 16, 2026.

In a public notice seen by news9.africa, Dr Baryomunsi said the recent outbreak in the country resulted from a fully documented importation event.

When was the last Ebola patient discharged?

“Unlike previous Ebola outbreaks that informed the current 42-day declaration policy, Uganda’s 2026 Ebola outbreak arose from a fully documented importation event.

“The source of infection was identified, the route of introduction established, all confirmed cases were epidemiologically linked, transmission chains were completely characterised and reconstructed, and all identified contacts were institutionally quarantined and completed the mandatory 21-day follow-up without evidence of further transmission,” Dr Baryomusni explained.

The Minister noted that enhanced surveillance detected no unexplained community transmission.

How many people contracted Ebola virus in 2026

In May 2026, Ugandan authorities reported an Ebola outbreak resulting from the Bundibugyo virus strain, originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The country reported 20 cases of Ebola disease with 2 deaths during the two months of battling the deadly virus.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there were about 2124 confirmed cases of Ebola disease and 828 deaths reported in DRC.

Ebola outbreak preparedness

Meanwhile, neighbouring countries, including Kenya, are implementing preparedness measures and frameworks to combat Ebola outbreaks in the region.

Kenya held the inaugural meeting of the National Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Response Taskforce on July 20, 2026.

Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, said the country is committed to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of all its residents through strengthened preparedness and coordinated action, in collaboration with technical experts, development partners and other stakeholders.