Uganda’s Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of the highly infectious Ebola virus after a man travelling from the Democratic Republic of Congo died in the capital, Kampala.
Health authorities said the deceased, a 59-year-old Congolese man, was diagnosed with the Bundibugyo strain of the virus after he sought treatment at Kibuli Muslim Hospital.
In a statement released by the ministry said: “The Ministry of Health has confirmed an Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease outbreak.”
Officials said the man was admitted to the hospital this month and died three days later. His body has since been repatriated to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The confirmation comes days after authorities in eastern Congo declared a major Ebola outbreak that has already left at least 65 people feared dead.
Ugandan authorities said samples taken from the patient during treatment tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola following laboratory analysis.
“This is an imported case from DRC. The country has not yet confirmed a local case,” the ministry added.
The government said emergency response measures had already been activated, including intensified screening at border points, surveillance operations, and rapid response protocols aimed at preventing further spread of the disease.
Uganda has experienced several Ebola outbreaks in the past, largely due to its proximity and cross-border movement with the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the virus has repeatedly resurfaced over the years.
Health experts warn that Ebola, which spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, can rapidly become fatal if not quickly contained.
