TAKEAWAYS

• Uganda says no new Ebola case has been confirmed despite the outbreak in DR Congo.
• Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine says over UGX 90 billion is needed for Ebola response efforts.
• Uganda is strengthening border surveillance and regional cooperation with neighboring countries.

Uganda’s Ministry of Health has assured the public that the country remains free of new Ebola infections despite heightened concern following the recent outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Speaking during a briefing with ambassadors and development partners, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine said Uganda has so far not registered any additional positive case.

“At the moment, the patient we had in our isolation tested negative. We have not registered any other positive case in the country,” Dr. Atwine said.

The ministry has intensified surveillance, particularly along border districts, following reports of Ebola cases in eastern DRC. Health workers and high-risk contacts under observation have also continued to test negative, according to ministry officials.

Dr. Atwine, however, warned that maintaining preparedness comes at a heavy cost.

She revealed that Uganda requires more than UGX 90 billion to sustain Ebola response and prevention efforts for about three months, describing the amount as insufficient given the scale of work involved.

“People say, ‘Oh my God, UGX 90 billion,’ but they have no idea that 90 billion for Ebola response is just a drop in the ocean,” she said.

According to Dr. Atwine, substantial resources are already being spent on border screening, transportation of samples, deployment of medical teams and continuous monitoring in high-risk areas.

“Teams are crisscrossing districts, picking samples day and night,” she added.

The Permanent Secretary also emphasized the need for regional cooperation, saying Uganda is ready to support DR Congo and work closely with neighboring countries to contain the disease.

Health officials from Uganda, South Sudan and DR Congo are expected to strengthen collaboration and improve cross-border surveillance as efforts continue to prevent the spread of Ebola.