Uganda: Uganda Rolls Out Major Ebola Containment Measures After Imported Cases

Lead

Uganda has suspended flights, cross-border transport and weekly markets in high-risk districts after confirming two imported Ebola cases linked to the outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The measures were announced by Dr Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, during a media briefing at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, with AllAfrica reporting that officials cited the risk of further cross-border transmission and a wish to prevent a repeat of the epidemic response delays seen in 2023.

"Weekly markets in high-risk border sub-counties are suspended for 40 weeks. Flights to and from DRC to Uganda suspended taking effect within 48 hours and border security patrols will be enhanced to reduce unnecessary cross-border movements," Atwine said, according to AllAfrica. Accounts differ on the length of the market suspension, however: another AllAfrica report puts the closure of weekly markets in border sub-counties of high-risk districts at four weeks. The same report details a four-week suspension of public passenger transport on ferries operating on the Semliki River, cross-border bus services and other public transport between Uganda and the DRC, with only goods and food transport exempted. Africa News also reported the four-week suspension of public transport, saying cargo and food transport would continue.

Under the emergency measures, Uganda has temporarily closed its border with the DRC, allowing only humanitarian aid, Ebola response teams, security personnel and essential cargo to cross, AllAfrica reported. All authorised entrants undergo screening, and travellers from the DRC must complete locator forms and observe a 21-day self-isolation period in line with Ebola surveillance guidelines, the same report said. It added that mobility, insecurity and cross-border trade in eastern DRC have complicated containment efforts there.

The Ministry of Health has also announced a temporary ban on handshakes and other forms of physical greeting, aimed at reducing physical contact and curbing transmission of the virus, AllAfrica reported. The same outlet said the ministry has suspended specific non-structured activities considered high-risk for Ebola transmission, including music concerts, entertainment shows, cultural festivals, political rallies, marathons, walkathons and public recreational events, while structured official, institutional and essential gatherings remain permitted if organisers comply with standard operating procedures on seating, spacing, ventilation, temperature screening and handwashing facilities.

The measures follow confirmation of an imported Ebola case this week: a Congolese national who travelled into Uganda and later died at Kibuli Hospital. Another patient is receiving treatment at an isolation centre at Mulago National Referral Hospital; Dr Atwine said the individual had tested negative and was awaiting recovery and discharge, according to AllAfrica. Africa News reported that Uganda initially recorded two suspected cases — one infection and one death — involving Congolese nationals who crossed the border, and that there are currently no active Ebola cases after the suspected case tested negative twice. A separate AllAfrica report said confirmed infections linked to travellers from the DRC had risen to five following additional infections identified through contact tracing. The ministry has emphasised that Uganda has not registered any locally transmitted Ebola cases, with all known infections so far imported from the DRC.

Coverage Comparison

The two outlets approached the story from different angles. Africa News led with the suspension of travel between Uganda and the DRC, reporting that the Ebola outbreak was declared last week in the DRC's eastern Ituri province, which adjoins Uganda, and citing figures from the National Institute for Public Health estimating that the virus is suspected to have claimed 160 lives out of nearly 671 probable cases in the DRC. It also noted that no vaccine or clinical treatment exists for the Bundibugyo strain responsible for the current epidemic.

AllAfrica, which carried several reports on the response, emphasised the breadth of the emergency measures announced by the Ministry of Health. Its coverage detailed the temporary closure of the border, the ban on physical greetings, the suspension of public events and the role of the National Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease, chaired by Vice President Jessica Alupo, in agreeing the restrictions. AllAfrica also quoted Dr Atwine's assurances that the situation remains under control and that Uganda's health system is experienced in handling Ebola emergencies.

Both outlets attributed the measures to the outbreak in eastern DRC, and both reported that the World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Key Claims

• Uganda has suspended flights, border transport and weekly markets in high-risk border districts after confirming two imported Ebola cases linked to the outbreak in eastern DR Congo — reported by Africa News and AllAfrica.
• Public passenger transport on Semliki River ferries, cross-border bus services and other public transport between Uganda and the DRC has been suspended for four weeks, with goods and food transport exempted — reported by Africa News and AllAfrica.
• Weekly markets in high-risk border sub-counties have been suspended, with AllAfrica accounts differing on whether the suspension lasts 40 weeks or four weeks.
• Uganda has temporarily closed its border with the DRC, allowing only humanitarian aid, Ebola response teams, security personnel and essential cargo to cross; all arrivals from the DRC must undergo a 21-day self-isolation period — AllAfrica.
• The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern — reported by Africa News and AllAfrica.
• The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment — reported by Africa News and AllAfrica.
• The virus is suspected to have claimed 160 lives out of nearly 671 probable cases in the DRC, according to figures from the National Institute for Public Health published on Thursday — reported by Africa News.
• Uganda has not registered any locally transmitted Ebola cases, with all known infections so far imported from DR Congo — reported by AllAfrica.
• The Ministry of Health has announced a temporary ban on handshakes and other forms of physical greeting — AllAfrica.
• The Ministry of Health has suspended non-structured activities considered high-risk for Ebola transmission, including music concerts, cultural festivals, political rallies, marathons and public recreational events — AllAfrica.