By Swift Reporter
The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has visited Uganda’s Ministry of Health leadership in Kampala as the country continues to strengthen its response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
During the high-level meeting, Dr. Tedros met senior health officials led by Permanent Secretary Diana Atwine and the Director General of Health Services Charles Olaro to assess the current situation and ongoing control measures.
He commended Uganda for its swift and coordinated response, noting the country’s strong experience in managing past outbreaks. “You have the experience and you can do it,” he said, while also calling for continued regional cooperation, including support to neighbouring countries facing similar challenges.
Uganda is currently responding to an Ebola outbreak with confirmed cases linked largely to cross-border movement from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo. Of the 19 confirmed cases recorded so far, 14 are individuals who entered from DRC, while five are Ugandan nationals. Authorities have also confirmed two deaths among patients from DRC.
Health officials say early border screening has been key in detecting incoming cases, allowing for faster isolation, testing, and treatment. The country’s surveillance systems and case management structures are described as stable and responsive, helping to limit wider transmission.
The Ministry of Health says Uganda has also stepped up its regional support role by deploying health workers to affected areas in DRC and establishing 50-bed treatment units this week. In addition, two mobile laboratories have been set up in Bwera and Arua to strengthen cross-border testing and diagnostic capacity.
The response is being supported by the World Health Organization alongside the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and other regional partners working closely with Ugandan authorities.
The outbreak in DRC continues to escalate, with government data showing 515 confirmed cases following 27 new positive samples recorded within 24 hours. Authorities there have reported 91 deaths so far, while warning of accelerating transmission in several areas after 71 new infections were confirmed in a recent reporting period.
The circulating strain has been identified as the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, which remains active in affected communities. The WHO has also reported 906 suspected cases under investigation, including 223 deaths.
Despite the growing regional pressure, Ugandan officials remain confident that strong coordination, rapid response systems, and ongoing cross-border collaboration will help bring the outbreak under control.
WhatsApp/Call: +256 754 137391
