The government is developing a new national Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) preparedness and response work plan amid renewed transmission of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus in the region.
The initiative, supported by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), aims to strengthen Uganda’s capacity to detect, prevent and respond to future outbreaks, following the successful containment of the country’s 2026 Ebola outbreak.
Consultations on the proposed work plan have been underway for the past three days under IGAD’s Regional Pandemic Preparedness and Response (PREPARE) Initiative.
During the consultations, local and regional experts identified critical gaps and priority interventions in disease surveillance, laboratory systems, health workforce capacity and cross-border coordination.
The proposed work plan will be aligned with the regional preparedness framework and guided by the One Health approach, which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health.
Speaking at the opening of the consultations, IGAD PREPARE Lead Ambassador Dr Fatuma Adan commended Uganda for containing the recent Ebola outbreak but cautioned that being declared Ebola-free does not eliminate the risk of future infections.
She emphasised the need for sustained investment in preparedness to strengthen the country’s ability to detect emerging health threats and mount timely and effective responses.
The meeting was officiated by the Director General of Health Services, Dr Charles Olaro, and featured contributions from the World Health Organization (WHO) Uganda and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The WHO declared the end of Uganda’s outbreak on August 27, following the completion of the mandatory 42-day monitoring period without any new cases of transmission.
Uganda recorded 20 confirmed cases, including two deaths, during the outbreak. Of these, 15 were linked to infections imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), while five were locally acquired among contacts and health workers.
The development of the new work plan is expected to provide a framework for addressing identified preparedness gaps, strengthening regional collaboration and ensuring Uganda remains better equipped to respond to future Ebola threats.
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