The Ugandan government has clarified that the country has no confirmed active Ebola cases following reports that a Nigerian woman diagnosed with the virus in Abuja had travelled through Uganda.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, by Uganda’s Ministry of Health, preliminary investigations revealed that the woman had visited eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for business before transiting through Uganda.
The statement, signed by Uganda’s Director-General of Health Services, Professor Charles Olaro, explained that the woman travelled through Uganda in early October without showing symptoms.
Uganda denies being source of infection
The ministry maintained that the woman’s travel history did not establish where she contracted the virus.
“Travel through Uganda does not establish that infection occurred here,” the statement read.
It explained that the patient developed symptoms after arriving in Nigeria, adding that investigations were ongoing to determine where she was exposed.
The ministry also disclosed that Nigerian authorities had yet to provide detailed information about the woman’s travel itinerary and medical history to support further investigations.
Clarifying the country’s current health situation, the ministry stated that “Uganda has NO confirmed active Ebola cases.”
Uganda strengthens border health screening
Despite its clarification, Uganda announced plans to strengthen health screening and surveillance at its entry points.
The ministry said it would work with relevant agencies to improve public health controls and monitor potential risks.
Authorities also encouraged residents to remain calm, maintain good hygiene and follow verified health updates.
The statement follows Uganda’s earlier Ebola outbreak, which was brought under control before the country was declared free of the virus.
Nigeria confirms Ebola case in Abuja
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health confirmed one Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory on October 20.
The patient, a woman who recently travelled internationally, developed symptoms on October 7 and sought treatment at a private hospital in Abuja on October 11.
Laboratory tests subsequently confirmed that she had contracted Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
According to the World Health Organization, the patient is currently in isolation and receiving medical treatment.
Nigerian health authorities have identified 44 people who may have been exposed to the patient and commenced contact tracing.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has also activated its incident management system to coordinate the response.
Health officials are working to establish the patient’s complete travel history and determine the likely source of infection.
The development comes amid an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has also affected other countries.
Uganda’s Ministry of Health maintained that it would continue monitoring the situation and providing verified public health updates.
