The Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, has officially declared the end of the Ebola outbreak in Uganda, marking the culmination of 87 days of battling the virus. 

The declaration was made on Saturday at Busamaga playground in Mbale City, after completing a 42-day post-Ebola surveillance countdown period since the last 10 patients were discharged from Mulago Referral Hospital in March 2025.

The outbreak, caused by the Sudan strain of the virus with no approved vaccine, reported 14 cases and two deaths, with 10 people recovering from the infection. 

Dr. Aceng praised the swift response of health authorities and the public, noting that the outbreak taught valuable lessons in fighting epidemics.

President Yoweri Museveni, in a statement read by Dr Aceng, cautioned the public against consulting witch doctors during disease outbreaks, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with health authorities for early control. 

Dr. Aceng urged citizens to continue following Standard Operating Procedures and remain vigilant against suspicious cases.

Uganda’s experience in battling Ebola over the years likely contributed to the swift response and successful containment of the outbreak, which began in Kampala, a key transit hub linking eastern DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Sudan.

By Ben Musanje 

26th April 2025

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