Mbale, Uganda – The World Health Organization (WHO) is reinforcing its support for Uganda’s ongoing Ebola response efforts, with a high-level delegation visiting Mbale district – one of the affected communities – to assess the situation on the ground and provide essential technical and operational assistance.
Uganda’s Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, led a high-level delegation, including Dr Diana Atwine (Permanent secretary, Ministry of Health), Dr Mike Ryan (WHO Deputy Director-General), Dr Kasonde Mwinga (WHO country representative) and Dr Patrick Okumu Abok (WHO Incident Manager for Ebola response, Uganda). Their visit marks a critical step in strengthening coordination and expanding response efforts.
“This is the eighth Ebola outbreak in Uganda. We have contained previous outbreaks in record time and have never exported Ebola to any country. We have built a robust system and strong capacity to rapidly detect, timely investigate, promptly respond and contain the outbreak.” said Dr Aceng. “Uganda is safe and there is no need to close borders or impose travel restrictions. We have been transparent right from the beginning.”
The visit comes at a time when Uganda’s health authorities are intensifying efforts to contain the outbreak and minimize its spread. WHO has deployed a range of experts, including epidemiologists, clinicians, infection prevention and control specialists, risk communication experts, and logisticians. These specialists are reinforcing the work of Uganda’s rapid response teams, who are already operating in affected districts and are focused on improving case detection, surveillance, treatment, and community engagement.
“I would like to thank all our partners for standing by the people of Uganda, for supporting government efforts to contain this outbreak. In a special way, I would like to thank our health workers, as well as our leaders and the community for their bravery, sacrifice and dedication in working together in responding to this outbreak. This outbreak started in the community and shall be ended by the community.” said Dr Atwine.
“Our priority is clear: to bring this outbreak under control,” said Dr Ryan. “Our team is here to ensure that Uganda has all the resources and technical expertise needed to address the immediate challenges and prevent further transmission of the virus. Working closely with national authorities, we will intensify our efforts to protect public health and support the health system in this crucial moment.”
In Mbale, the delegation engaged with frontline health workers, assessed the capacity of treatment facilities, and reviewed ongoing interventions to improve patient care and infection control measures. The WHO team also delivered essential medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE), diagnostic kits, and treatment supplies, to support local health facilities in managing Ebola cases.
“The involvement of communities is central to controlling this outbreak,” emphasized Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “By empowering communities with the right information and resources, we can prevent further cases and stop the transmission of Ebola.”
Beyond the immediate medical assistance, WHO’s response also focuses on community engagement and risk communication. Strengthening public awareness and encouraging early reporting of symptoms is essential to curb the spread of the virus. WHO is working closely with leaders and community members to ensure that accurate information reaches the public while promoting preventive measures such as proper hygiene, isolation of suspected cases, and safe burial practices.
“Our continued support aims to address the current crisis but also to help strengthen Uganda’s long-term capacity to respond to health emergencies,” said Dr Mwinga. “The work being done here is critical in preventing further transmission and ensuring that teams are fully equipped to manage the situation effectively.”
Uganda declared an Ebola outbreak on January 30, 2025, after three national reference laboratories confirmed a case in a 32-year-old male nurse.
