Uganda Remains Safe for Tourism as Government Successfully Contains Imported Ebola Cases

The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has issued a public reassurance that the country remains safe for travel following growing anxiety over a cluster of Ebola cases traced to cross-border movement from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In a statement dated Tuesday, June 2, 2026, UTB said Uganda has so far registered 15 cases, all linked to individuals who crossed from the DRC. The affected persons were identified, isolated, and placed under medical care supervised by the Ministry of Health.

“With the exception of one Congolese national registered over a fortnight ago, Uganda has recorded no other fatalities,” the statement read.

The tourism body said the Government of Uganda, acting through the Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies, had already activated containment measures including temporary closure of the Uganda-DRC border, screening, contact tracing and monitoring.

UTB Chief Executive Officer Juliana Kagwa, who signed the statement, sought to distance Uganda’s thriving tourism industry from the health scare, stressing that all tourism establishments remain fully operational.

“Travellers and tourism practitioners will continue to observe standard health and hygiene practices that include regular handwash, use of hand sanitisers, and adherence to any health guidance issued by Ministry of Health authorities,” the statement said.

The assurance comes as tourism, one of Uganda’s top foreign exchange earners, faces potential disruption with international travellers closely monitoring health advisories on the region.

UTB pointed to Uganda’s track record in managing public health emergencies, saying the country’s health systems “remain vigilant, well-prepared, and fully engaged” to contain the situation.