Uganda announced the closure of its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Wednesday in response to the rising threat of a rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola spreading from Congo’s Ituri province, which borders Uganda to the west. This move aims to mitigate the risk of cross-border transmission amid a growing outbreak that has already resulted in over 1,000 confirmed and suspected cases in the DRC, with more than 200 deaths reported. Uganda itself has confirmed seven cases, all of which are reportedly under quarantine and medical supervision in the capital, Kampala.
Dr. Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Health, stated that the border closure would be temporary, permitting only authorized movements including humanitarian response teams, cargo transport, and security personnel, all subject to stringent health screening and monitoring protocols. Arrivals from the DRC under these exceptions will face mandatory 21-day quarantines. Uganda also plans to deploy Ebola response teams to assist in the affected areas of Congo. The border, which stretches over 500 miles, presents challenges to completely halting migration, but authorities emphasize efforts to prevent infected individuals from entering Uganda.
The ongoing outbreak marks the 17th recorded Ebola episode in the DRC and is considered the third largest overall. However, health experts have expressed particular concern about the Bundibugyo strain due to the absence of approved vaccines or specific treatments. The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted a case fatality rate below 25 percent for this strain but warns that the number of infections is likely underestimated, as the virus had circulated undetected for some time prior to identification.
Complicating eradication efforts in eastern Congo is the region’s protracted conflict, with decades of armed group activity severely limiting access to affected communities. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described eastern DRC as facing a “catastrophic collision of disease and conflict,” highlighting how violence disrupts health responses, displaces populations into overcrowded camps, and hampers contact tracing and community trust. He called on warring parties to observe an immediate ceasefire to facilitate containment efforts.
The outbreak has also prompted international responses. Reports indicate that the United States plans to establish a quarantine center in Kenya to manage Americans exposed to Ebola departing from the DRC, a decision that has drawn criticism from some Kenyan opposition figures concerned about public health risks. Kenya’s health ministry confirmed ongoing talks with the U.S. and global partners regarding preparedness measures.
Uganda’s border closure and other restrictions, such as the suspension of flights to and from Congo and postponement of a major Catholic festival traditionally attracting thousands of Congolese visitors, represent attempts to curb the virus’s spread. Despite these measures, some experts caution that such border closures may conflict with WHO recommendations, which generally discourage travel bans due to potential disruptions to outbreak response and cross-border coordination. Nonetheless, Ugandan officials maintain that their robust surveillance systems and public health resources place the country in a better position to manage the threat compared to their Congolese counterparts.