Uganda Starts Ebola Countdown and Seeks Travel Relief

Uganda has discharged its final Ebola patient, starting a 42-day countdown to be declared officially free of the Bundibugyo strain.

The outbreak, declared on 15 May 2026, recorded 20 cases and two deaths. Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi celebrated the milestone, stating, “It demonstrates that with early detection, prompt treatment and a strong health system, Ebola can be defeated.”

The country’s prepared response achieved a case fatality rate under 10%. Consequently, Uganda is lobbying fifteen nations to lift crippling travel restrictions. Notably, the United States of America has placed the country on a level four advisory.

However, cross-border transmission persists in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo, where cases have reached 2 073 with 796 deaths. Because of this proximity, Uganda has launched a six-month vigilance plan and deployed fifty health workers across the border. Any new imported infection will reset the countdown to day zero.

Concurrently, Oxford University has initiated Phase I clinical trials for a new vaccine targeting this specific strain. World Health Organisation representative Dr Kasonde Mwinga warned, “While this is an encouraging moment, it is not the end of the response.”

Strong surveillance remains critical.

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