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Uganda Ministry of Health
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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 health ministry declared the country Ebola-free on 28 July 2026, thirty days before WHO's 42-day clock closed; WHO confirmed the 20-case, two-death Bundibugyo outbreak over on 26 August.

Last refreshed: 4 October 2026 · Appears in 2 active topics

Key Question

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

Timeline for Uganda Ministry of Health

#14 26 Aug

Mentioned in: WHO calls Uganda's Ebola outbreak over

Pandemics and Biosecurity
#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
#3 14 May

Mentioned in: Uganda runs 2022 Sudan Ebola playbook

Pandemics and Biosecurity
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Background

Uganda's Ministry of Health directs the country's public-health surveillance and outbreak response. Its political head is Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi, with Charles Ayume as State Minister for Primary Health Care. Permanent Secretary Diana Atwine runs the ministry's administration.

The ministry has handled Ebola outbreaks since 2000, including the original Bundibugyo outbreak in 2007, and keeps standing district response Teams. Its 2022 Sudan ebolavirus response contained 142 cases without a licensed vaccine through contact tracing alone; that outbreak was declared over on 11 January 2023.

In 2026 the ministry ran the same playbook against Bundibugyo ebolavirus, for which no vaccine is approved. It declared the outbreak on 15 May. Of the 20 people infected, 15 were Congolese nationals who crossed from DR Congo, and two died, a case-fatality rate of about 10%. Beyond its own borders it helped build an 80-bed treatment unit inside DR Congo.

Key Issues
Outbreak end

The ministry called the end early

Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi declared Uganda Ebola-free at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on 28 July. WHO's own countdown, started when Mulago Hospital discharged the last patient on 16 July, was not due to close until 27 August. The ministry, WHO and Africa CDC each gave a different account of why the early call was allowed.

WHO's declaration on 26 August confirmed the ministry's call rather than overturning it. The final tally was 20 confirmed infections and two deaths, every one traced to imports from DR Congo. The ministry had also closed the shared border to non-essential travel and helped set up two mobile laboratories inside DR Congo. Reintroduction stays likely while trade and refugees still cross from Ituri and North Kivu.

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: event
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: event
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: event
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.

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 4 October 2026. Editorial standards.