Ugandan authorities announced on Thursday sweeping travel restrictions with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in response to a growing Ebola outbreak in the region. The measures include suspending all flights between the two countries within 48 hours, as well as halting cross-border travel by ferries, buses, and other public transportation for four weeks. Additionally, Uganda has temporarily banned cultural events and commemorations that draw large crowds along the shared border.
The outbreak, centered in northeastern Congo’s Ituri Province, has expanded to a third province, South Kivu, where a confirmed Ebola death was reported for the first time. The fatal case involved a 28-year-old individual, with lab tests and government authorities affirming the diagnosis. Ebola cases have also been detected approximately 350 miles from Ituri in the city of Goma, located in North Kivu Province, highlighting the virus’s potential for widespread transmission.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently designated the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Since that declaration six days ago, approximately 600 suspected infections and 139 deaths have been recorded. Ugandan officials stressed that no confirmed Ebola cases have been detected among their citizens, although one Congolese patient is currently receiving treatment within their borders. Another individual from Congo succumbed to the disease in Uganda after seeking medical care.
On the international front, the U.S. State Department announced a $23 million aid package targeting Congo and Uganda to support protective equipment procurement and outbreak containment efforts, including funding up to 50 clinics. Officials indicated that these treatment centers would be rapidly deployed to strengthen frontline responses. However, some ambiguity exists regarding the disbursement of funds. Congo’s health ministry spokesman, Hussein Twaibu, stated that a recent meeting with U.S. representatives resulted in a $13 million pledge specifically for mobile clinics, supplementing $20 million already allocated by the Congolese government. Contrarily, Dr. Diana Atwine, a senior health official in Congo, said the government was unaware of this pledge and noted uncertainty over whether this amount was included in the broader $23 million figure. Likewise, Uganda’s health ministry reported no coordination with the United States concerning new treatment centers.
Amid these challenges, various stakeholders are intensifying efforts to contain the outbreak. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged its member states to bolster support, while South Africa pledged $2.5 million and the United Kingdom allocated over $26 million to aid the WHO and other entities. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has mobilized volunteers to conduct door-to-door educational outreach in eastern Congo, advising communities against contact with deceased Ebola victims, a known transmission vector. On the first day alone, volunteers reached 645 families.
Uganda shares a heavily trafficked border with Congo’s Ituri Province, where daily crossings are common. Despite the proximity to the outbreak’s epicenter, Ugandan officials maintain confidence in their preparedness and the country’s safety. Alan Kasujja, the chief government spokesman, emphasized that no Ugandan nationals have contracted Ebola, even as one Congolese patient remains under treatment. Meanwhile, Uganda’s tourism board has asserted that standard hygiene practices suffice and that the nation remains open to visitors and investors, particularly in western regions known for mountain gorilla tourism near the Congo and Rwanda borders.