KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s Ministry of Health has confirmed three additional cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), bringing the total number of infections in the country to five, as authorities intensify surveillance and containment efforts.
In a statement issued on May 23, 2026, the Ministry said two of the newly confirmed cases are Ugandan nationals, a driver who transported the country’s first Ebola patient and a health worker who was exposed while providing care.
Both patients are currently under medical care.
The third case involves a Congolese national who had travelled into Uganda from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) while exhibiting mild symptoms.
According to health officials, the Congolese woman entered Uganda through Arua before travelling to Entebbe aboard a chartered flight.
She later sought treatment at a private hospital in Kampala on May 10, where she was treated and discharged in stable condition four days later before returning to the DRC.
Authorities said the case was flagged after information was received from the pilot who transported her, prompting follow-up by surveillance teams. Subsequent testing confirmed she was positive for Ebola.
The Ministry confirmed that the two Ugandan patients were identified from known contacts already under active monitoring, indicating that contact tracing systems are functioning as intended.
“All contacts linked to the confirmed cases have since been identified and are being closely monitored and followed up,” the Ministry said.
Health authorities have since intensified response measures, including surveillance, case management, and public awareness campaigns aimed at containing further spread.
The Ministry of Health has urged the public to remain calm while adhering to preventive guidelines, including early reporting of symptoms such as fever, vomiting, unexplained bleeding, and severe fatigue.
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Officials emphasised that early detection and treatment significantly improve survival outcomes.
The new cases come amid a broader Ebola outbreak in the region, particularly in eastern DRC, raising concerns over cross-border transmission due to high mobility between the two countries.
Uganda has previously demonstrated strong outbreak response capacity, but health experts warn that sustained vigilance and rapid response remain critical to preventing escalation.
