Uganda Ebola outbreak: 19 cases confirmed, 14 imported from DRC
Synopsis
Uganda's Ebola case count has climbed to 19, with 14 of those imported directly from the DRC — where the outbreak has already claimed 62 lives from 363 cases. The WHO says containment is gaining ground, but the cross-border patient movement that triggered Uganda's index case remains the defining risk factor.
Key Takeaways
Uganda confirmed three new Ebola cases on 5 June , raising the total to 19 since the outbreak was declared on 15 May .
14 of 19 Ugandan cases are imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) ; five are Ugandan nationals.
13 patients are currently under treatment; four have recovered and two have died.
The DRC has recorded 363 confirmed cases and 62 deaths , according to the DRC government.
WHO Regional Director Mohamed Janabi said containment is progressing: 'We are already seeing progress.' Uganda's Ministry of Health says the country remains safe and open to visitors.
Uganda's Ministry of Health confirmed three new Ebola cases on 5 June, raising the country's cumulative infection count to 19 since the outbreak was declared on 15 May. The three newly identified patients were contacts of previously confirmed cases and had been under institutional quarantine at the time of confirmation.
Current Case Breakdown
Of the 19 confirmed cases, 13 patients are currently receiving treatment, four have recovered and been discharged, and two have died. The latest fatality involved a Congolese national, according to the ministry. Notably, 14 of the 19 cases are imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), while five are Ugandan nationals.
Cross-Border Dimension
Uganda's index case was a Congolese national who travelled from eastern DRC — the epicentre of the current regional outbreak — to seek medical treatment in Uganda. The DRC itself has recorded 363 confirmed Ebola cases, including 62 deaths, according to figures released on Wednesday by the DRC government. The cross-border movement of patients has complicated containment efforts across the region.
WHO's Regional Assessment
The developments were discussed on Thursday during an online press briefing convened by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, bringing together senior WHO officials and government representatives from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan. WHO Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Janabi offered a cautiously optimistic assessment: 'The virus initially moved ahead of us. But we are catching up. We are already seeing progress.' Janabi noted that six patients had been successfully treated and discharged in the DRC, with recoveries also recorded in Uganda.
Uganda Government's Position
Uganda Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Diana Atwine said the country had confirmed 15 Ebola cases as of the briefing — including 11 imported cases and four infections among health workers who treated the first patient — with four subsequently discharged. The ministry reiterated that Uganda remains safe and open to visitors, seeking to reassure travellers amid heightened international attention on the outbreak. This is the latest in a series of Ebola incursions Uganda has managed over the past two decades, though the current outbreak's strong imported-case dynamic from the DRC presents a distinct containment challenge.
What Happens Next
Health authorities in Uganda, the DRC, and South Sudan are coordinating surveillance and response through the WHO regional framework. The trajectory of the DRC outbreak — already at 363 cases — will be a key determinant of Uganda's ability to contain further cross-border transmission. Authorities are expected to issue updated case counts regularly as contact tracing continues.
Point of View
And the index patient crossed the border seeking medical care, a pattern that surveillance systems struggle to intercept. The WHO's cautious optimism is warranted but fragile: with 363 cases and 62 deaths in the DRC, the pressure on Uganda's border health infrastructure is not easing. The real question is whether the regional coordination framework — which has historically lagged behind fast-moving Ebola outbreaks — can maintain the pace Janabi claims it has now found.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Ebola cases has Uganda confirmed so far?
Uganda has confirmed a total of 19 Ebola cases as of 5 June , since the outbreak was declared on 15 May . Of these, 13 are under treatment, four have recovered, and two have died.
Where are Uganda's Ebola cases coming from?
14 of the 19 confirmed cases in Uganda are imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) , which is the epicentre of the current regional outbreak. Uganda's index case was a Congolese national who crossed the border to seek medical treatment.
How serious is the Ebola outbreak in the DRC?
The DRC has recorded 363 confirmed Ebola cases and 62 deaths , according to figures released by the DRC government on Wednesday. Six patients have been successfully treated and discharged, according to WHO.
Is Uganda safe to visit during the Ebola outbreak?
Uganda's Ministry of Health has reiterated that the country remains safe and open to visitors. Authorities say the new cases were contacts of known patients already under institutional quarantine, indicating active surveillance is in place.
What is the WHO doing about the regional Ebola outbreak?
The WHO Regional Office for Africa convened an online press briefing on Thursday with officials from Uganda, the DRC, and South Sudan to coordinate the regional response. WHO Regional Director Mohamed Janabi said progress is being made in containing the virus across affected countries.
