Uganda Ebola Outbreak Contained, AU Health Agency Declares

The African Union's health agency announced on Thursday, June 12, 2026, that the Ebola outbreak in Uganda is "under control." This positive assessment followed praise for Uganda's robust contact-tracing initiatives. The nation has documented 19 cases, resulting in two deaths, with most cases linked to Congolese nationals entering Uganda. This situation is distinct from the ongoing international health emergency declared by the WHO in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the outbreak has led to 635 confirmed infections and 127 fatalities since May 15, 2026.

Uganda's success is highlighted by its identification of 792 contacts currently under active follow-up, a crucial step in curbing transmission. The WHO Director-General, during a visit on Monday, June 9, 2026, commended Kampala's strategy, noting a case fatality rate of less than one percent. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes the importance of identifying at least 40 contacts per confirmed case, a benchmark Uganda appears to be meeting, unlike the DRC where tracing efforts are hampered by insecurity and poor infrastructure in its eastern Ituri province. The Bundibugyo strain of the virus, currently circulating, has no available vaccine or specific treatment. The Africa CDC head also urged a ceasefire in eastern DRC to prevent further spread, noting the virus's indiscriminate nature.