A new risk assessment by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that the risk of transmission of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease remains high in Uganda and very high in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), raising concerns about possible cross-border spread.
In its report released on Wednesday, WHO said that although no new cases have been detected in some neighbouring countries, nations sharing land borders with Uganda and the DRC remain at high risk. However, the organization assessed the likelihood of wider spread across the African region as low at this stage.
As of Wednesday, Uganda had recorded 19 confirmed Ebola cases, 14 of which were imported from the DRC. In contrast, the DRC has reported 515 confirmed cases and 91 deaths as of Monday.
The WHO noted that available information from Uganda remains limited, but the outbreak continues to expand regionally.
It cited an incident involving a Congolese national who travelled from the DRC through Uganda to the United Arab Emirates and later returned to Uganda, prompting further investigation.
“WHO is working with public health authorities in the United Arab Emirates and Uganda to gather additional information to assess the risk of exposure and facilitate contact tracing through the National International Health Regulations (IHR) Focal Point mechanism,” the report stated.
Locally, transmission in Uganda has so far been confined to Kampala and Wakiso districts, with no evidence of spread to other areas.
Uganda’s Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Public Health, Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, said all confirmed cases in the country are imported and that there is currently no evidence of local transmission.
By Our Reporter
10th June 2026
End