Uganda begins 42‑day countdown after last Ebola patient discharged

Uganda discharged its last Ebola patient on 16 July 2026 at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala. Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi led the ceremony, presented a discharge certificate and said the patient "can return to the household and professional environment and continue normal activities".

The outbreak, declared on 15 May 2026 after a case imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo (Bundibugyo strain), resulted in 20 confirmed cases – 15 Congolese nationals and five Ugandans – and two deaths. WHO praised Uganda’s preparedness and noted a case‑fatality rate below 10 percent. Under WHO guidelines the country has now entered the mandatory 42‑day countdown; if no new case is reported, the outbreak will be declared over.

The response included rapid case detection, laboratory testing, contact tracing of 836 contacts, isolation facilities, risk communication and cross‑border collaboration with the DRC. WHO deployed about 70 technical experts, strengthened surveillance in high‑risk districts and at points of entry, and supplied protective equipment. Authorities urged continued vigilance, urging anyone with fever, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding to seek immediate care, as imported cases from the DRC could reset the countdown.