The ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease following the death of a 59-year-old Congolese national who had been admitted to Kibuli Muslim hospital in Kampala.
According to a statement issued by the ministry on Friday evening, the patient was admitted on May 11 after presenting symptoms including respiratory distress, fever, epigastric pain, nausea and difficulty passing urine.
Health officials said the patient’s condition later deteriorated while in the intensive care unit, where he reportedly developed bleeding symptoms before dying on May 14.
The ministry further revealed that the deceased’s body was transported back to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on the same day.
According to the statement, Ugandan authorities received an alert from public health officials in the DRC on May 15 regarding a suspected Ebola case linked to the deceased.
Health officials subsequently tested an earlier sample that had been collected from the patient during treatment and analysed at the Central Emergency Surveillance and Response laboratory in Wandegeya.
The results later confirmed Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease. The ministry clarified that the case is considered an imported infection from the DRC and that Uganda has not yet registered any locally transmitted cases.
Following the confirmation, the ministry said it had activated national emergency response mechanisms to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread of the virus.
Officials said surveillance, screening and rapid response teams have already been deployed at both official and unofficial border entry points, particularly along Uganda’s western border, major transit routes and pilgrimage corridors.
The ministry also announced intensified response operations in high-risk districts, including the deployment of a mobile laboratory at Bwera hospital, strengthened isolation facilities, infection prevention and control systems, as well as enhanced public risk communication campaigns.
Authorities further disclosed that one high-risk contact, identified as a close relative of the deceased, has already been isolated while all known contacts linked to the case are currently under quarantine and monitoring.
The ministry reassured the public that government remains fully engaged in the response and pledged to continue issuing updates while implementing measures aimed at protecting the population from further transmission.
Ebola is a severe viral disease that can be fatal if not detected and treated early. The virus spreads through direct contact with infected blood, bodily fluids, organs or contaminated materials. Human-to-human transmission may also occur through contact with infected persons or the bodies of individuals who have died from the disease.
The ministry listed common Ebola symptoms as sudden fever, fatigue, chest pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, unexplained bleeding and yellowing of the eyes, noting that bleeding symptoms often appear in advanced stages of the illness.
Health workers across the country have been urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and strictly adhere to infection prevention and control protocols.
Private health facilities were also directed to immediately report any suspected Ebola cases to district health authorities for investigation and management.
The ministry further appealed to the public to avoid physical contact with individuals showing Ebola-like symptoms and to maintain proper hand hygiene at all times.
Citizens were also advised to avoid contact with bodily fluids including blood, sweat, saliva, vomit, urine and stool.
The statement further emphasised that suspected Ebola-related deaths should only be handled by trained health personnel to ensure safe and dignified burials that minimise the risk of transmission within communities.
Public places have also been encouraged to establish handwashing facilities on their premises. For reporting suspected cases, the ministry advised members of the public to call the toll-free line 0800-100-066 or send a free SMS to 6767.