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Uganda Ministry of Health
Organisation

Uganda Ministry of Health

Uganda's health ministry; declared the country Ebola-free on 28 July 2026 after a 20-case outbreak.

Uganda's Ministry of Health declared the country's Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak over on 28 July 2026, thirty days ahead of WHO's own 42-day surveillance clock, after a 20-case outbreak that killed two.

Last refreshed: 31 July 2026

Key Question

Why did Uganda declare itself Ebola-free before WHO's surveillance window closed?

Timeline for Uganda Ministry of Health

#12 28 Jul

Published an account dating the final discharge a month earlier than WHO's record

Pandemics and Biosecurity: Uganda calls its Ebola outbreak over
View full timeline →

Background

Uganda's Ministry of Health, led by Hon. Dr Chris Baryomunsi with State Minister for Primary Health Care Dr Charles Ayume and Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine, directs the country's outbreak response and public-health surveillance.

It led the response to a Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak declared on 15 May 2026 that infected 20 people, 15 of them Congolese nationals crossing from DR Congo, and killed two, a roughly 10% case-fatality rate. The ministry helped establish two mobile laboratories and an 80-bed treatment unit inside DRC as part of the response.

It declared Uganda officially Ebola-free at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on 28 July, thirty days ahead of WHO's 42-day surveillance window closing; Africa CDC recorded a separate, later surveillance clock.

Common Questions
When did Uganda declare itself Ebola-free?
Uganda's Ministry of Health declared the country officially Ebola-free on 28 July 2026, thirty days before WHO's 42-day surveillance window was due to close.Source: Uganda Media Centre
Who is Uganda's Minister of Health?
Hon. Dr Chris Baryomunsi is Uganda's Minister of Health; Dr Charles Ayume is State Minister for Primary Health Care and Dr Diana Atwine is Permanent Secretary.Source:
How many people were infected in Uganda's 2026 Ebola outbreak?
20 people were infected, 15 of them Congolese nationals, four Ugandan health workers and one driver; 18 recovered and two died, a case-fatality rate near 10%.Source:
Why did Uganda and DR Congo close their shared border?
The two countries closed their shared border to non-essential travel for four weeks to contain Ebola spread, screening 4,772 travellers at 32 entry points.Source:
What does Uganda's Ministry of Health do?
Uganda's Ministry of Health directs national health policy, disease surveillance and outbreak response, including the country's Ebola containment efforts.