Eronda
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
- 1,088
- 570
On May 19–20, 2026, the United States announced a significant commitment to fund the rapid establishment of up to 50 treatment clinics in Ebola-affected regions of DRC and Uganda. Delivered primarily through the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) via Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) pooled funding.
However, Uganda’s Ministry of Health(MOH) has clarified that it was not consulted on a major US initiative to fund up to 50 Ebola treatment clinics in affected areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda
The clarification comes days after the WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for the Bundibugyo virus Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province, DRC, with imported cases confirmed in Kampala, Uganda, and hundreds of suspected cases reported.
Uganda confirmed imported cases in Kampala from travelers returning from DRC, including at least two laboratory-confirmed instances with one death. No widespread local transmission has been reported in Uganda yet, but cross-border movement and insecurity in the region heighten risks.
MOH has activated its own surveillance, screening, and response measures, consistent with its history of managing Ebola outbreaks (including a 2022 Sudan virus event). The clarification underscores the importance of national ownership in health emergencies, especially given sensitivities around foreign aid, sovereignty, and effective on-ground implementation.
The Ministry of health via X has affirmed that “Uganda has so far registered only two imported Ebola cases: one fatality and one patient currently responding well to treatment under close medical care. There are no local infections and the country remains safe”.
