Uganda has temporarily closed sections of its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo as authorities intensify efforts to contain a fast-spreading Ebola outbreak that has triggered growing concern across the region.
The closure, which took immediate effect, will remain in place for four weeks, according to the Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine.
Essential humanitarian operations, Ebola response teams, security operations, and food and cargo transportation have been exempted from the restrictions.
“Uganda is temporarily closing the border with the DRC with immediate effect. The only exceptions are for authorized Ebola response teams, humanitarian operations, food and cargo transportation, and security under strict health screening and monitoring protocols,” Atwine said.
She added that any person allowed to enter Uganda from Congo would be subjected to strict monitoring measures including mandatory self-isolation for twenty-one (21) days under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and district surveillance teams.
The border closure was reinforced by Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who announced additional security measures along the frontier through his X account.
“The security forces are sealing our entire border with the DRC until further notice. No movement of people between the two countries is permitted. This is in response to the Ebola outbreak in DRC. Trying to breach this order will endanger your life,” Muhoozi posted.
Uganda has confirmed about four Ebola infections, including at least one death, after health workers were exposed to infected patients who crossed from eastern Congo before the outbreak was officially declared.
The outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, began in eastern Congo’s Ituri Province and has since spread rapidly, prompting the World Health Organization to declare it a “public health emergency of international concern.”
Health agencies say the number of suspected cases in eastern Congo is nearing 1,000, with more than 220 suspected deaths recorded.
Medical experts say the response has been complicated by armed conflict, population displacement, and attacks on health workers in eastern Congo, making it difficult to isolate patients and trace contacts.
“We cannot build community trust or isolate the sick while bombs are falling,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
Ugandan authorities have also intensified surveillance, screening, and contact tracing across border districts and major entry points as fears grow over wider regional transmission.
The Bundibugyo strain presents an additional challenge because there is currently no approved vaccine or targeted treatment, leaving supportive care and rapid containment as the primary tools available to health officials.
