KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda has confirmed three new Ebola infections, bringing the total number of cases recorded since the outbreak was declared on May 15 to 19, according to the Ministry of Health.
In an update issued on Friday, health authorities said the newly confirmed patients were among individuals who had already been identified as contacts of previous cases and were under institutional quarantine at the time of diagnosis.
The ministry also reported one additional death linked to the outbreak, involving a Congolese national. The latest fatality raises the death toll to two since the outbreak was officially declared.
According to the Ministry of Health, 13 patients are currently receiving treatment in designated isolation facilities, while four people have recovered and been discharged after testing negative for the virus.
Health officials noted that the majority of confirmed infections are linked to cross-border transmission from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which continues to battle an Ebola outbreak in its eastern provinces.
Of the 19 confirmed cases recorded so far, 14 involve individuals who entered Uganda from the DRC, while five are Ugandan nationals. The ministry said the figures highlight the ongoing public health challenges posed by frequent movement across the porous border between the two neighbouring countries.
Uganda’s index case was identified as a Congolese national who travelled from eastern DRC to seek medical treatment in Uganda before later testing positive for Ebola.
Health authorities have since intensified contact tracing, surveillance and screening operations in high-risk border districts in an effort to contain further spread of the disease.
The latest infections were detected among individuals already under quarantine, a development health experts say demonstrates the effectiveness of ongoing surveillance and contact-tracing efforts.
Public health officials have repeatedly stressed that early identification and isolation of contacts remain critical in preventing wider community transmission.
The Ministry of Health has sought to reassure the public that the situation remains under control, maintaining that Uganda is safe and open to visitors despite the outbreak.
Authorities have continued to deploy rapid response teams, strengthen screening at border points and expand public awareness campaigns as part of efforts to prevent further infections.
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Uganda has extensive experience managing Ebola outbreaks and is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most prepared countries for responding to viral haemorrhagic fevers.
Previous outbreaks have led to significant investments in surveillance systems, laboratory capacity, emergency response teams and cross-border disease monitoring.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and other international health partners continue to support Uganda’s response efforts, particularly in surveillance, laboratory testing, case management and community engagement.
Health officials have urged members of the public to remain vigilant, report suspected symptoms promptly and cooperate with contact-tracing teams as the country works to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
