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Uganda Confirms Three New Ebola Cases, Total Reaches Five

Uganda has confirmed three new cases of Ebola, bringing the country's total to five since the outbreak was first detected on May 15. The new cases include a Ugandan driver, a Ugandan health worker, and a woman from the Democratic Republic of Congo, with authorities intensifying contact tracing and border controls.

By Tertius News AI Desk 6 outlets · 8 articles Version 1 Coverage May 20–27, 2026 Published Aug 15

Lead

Uganda's Ministry of Health has confirmed three new cases of Ebola, bringing the country's total to five since the outbreak was first discovered on May 15. The new patients include a Ugandan driver, a Ugandan health worker, and a woman from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the epicentre of the regional outbreak.

The announcement came on Saturday, May 23, from the country's Director General of Health Services, Charles Olaro, who said the infections were identified through contact tracing. The driver transported the country's first confirmed patient, and the health worker was exposed while caring for that same patient. The woman from the DRC entered Uganda with mild abdominal symptoms and later tested positive for Ebola.

Coverage Comparison

Distinct aspects of the outbreak and response have been reported across multiple outlets, with some variations in case counts and details. While some reports indicated three new cases bringing the total to five, others mentioned two new cases and a total of seven, reflecting the evolving situation as of May 25. A report from The Hindu noted that two more health workers at a private hospital in Kampala tested positive, bringing infections to seven, while earlier reports from Africa News and Al Jazeera focused on the initial three new cases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. The virus involved is the Bundibugyo strain, for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments. The WHO has raised the risk assessment for the DRC to "very high," with regional risk in central Africa classified as "high" and global risk as "low."

Key Claims

Three new cases confirmed: Uganda's health ministry confirmed three new cases, including a Ugandan driver, a Ugandan health worker, and a woman from the DRC, bringing the total to five. This was reported by Africa News, Al Jazeera, and The Hindu.
Total of seven after additional cases: By Monday, May 25, two more health workers at a private facility in Kampala tested positive, bringing the total to seven, as reported by Deutsche Welle and The Hindu.
Link to DRC outbreak: The cases in Uganda are linked to an outbreak in the neighbouring DRC, which has recorded over 900 suspected cases, mainly in the eastern Ituri Province, according to multiple sources.
First local infections: Uganda's first local infections were a driver and a health worker exposed to a Congolese patient who died on May 11, 2026, as reported by The Hindu and Al Jazeera.
Global health emergency: The WHO has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, as stated by Deutsche Welle, France 24, and The Hindu.
Bundibugyo strain lacks vaccine: The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments, according to multiple sources.
Response measures: Uganda has suspended public transport to the DRC and intensified health screening in Kampala, as reported by Africa News and Al Jazeera.
Hospital restrictions: Access to Mubende Regional Referral Hospital has been restricted following three suspected Ebola cases, with strict screening at one entrance, as reported by AllAfrica.

Perspectives

Ugandan health authorities

The Ministry of Health and the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Charles Olaro, emphasize that the government is strengthening surveillance, case management, contact tracing, and public awareness efforts. The ministry has confirmed the new cases and noted that all known contacts are being monitored.

Public sentiment in Kampala

Residents have expressed mixed views, with some voicing trust in the government's handling, citing the speed of response and public health measures. Others, such as psychologist Betty Nyangoma, have called for tighter border controls with the DRC to limit entry of potentially infected individuals.

Hospital administration at Mubende

Senior Hospital Administrator Onesimus Kibaya restricted access to Mubende Regional Referral Hospital as a preventive measure while awaiting test results for three suspected cases. He referenced the 2022 Ebola outbreak in Mubende and Kassanda that claimed 54 lives and led to lockdowns, urging public vigilance and adherence to SOPs.

Africa CDC and WHO

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) warned of high risk of spread to Eastern African countries bordering the DRC, and listed ten African countries at risk: Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Zambia. The WHO raised the risk level for the DRC to "very high" and declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

Congolese nationals affected

Two Congolese nationals who sought medical care in Uganda tested positive for Ebola, and a 59-year-old Congolese man died in Kampala on May 14, 2026, before his illness was identified as Ebola, as reported by The Hindu.