The Ministry of Health Uganda announced the end of the country’s latest Ebola outbreak on April 26, 2025, just three months after its onset, marking a triumph of rapid response and global collaboration. Shared via the Ministry’s official X account, the milestone was celebrated as “good news” after 42 days passed without new infections, following the discharge of the last patient.
The outbreak, caused by the Sudan strain, was detected on January 30, 2025, after a male nurse in Kampala tested positive and later died. With 14 cases reported—12 confirmed and two probable—and four deaths, Uganda’s swift containment prevented a larger crisis. The Ministry credited its success to enhanced surveillance, contact tracing, and community engagement, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Uganda’s “leadership and commitment” on X, highlighting the nation’s experience in managing its ninth Ebola outbreak since 2000.
This victory underscores Uganda’s robust health infrastructure, bolstered by a Shs5.87 trillion ($1.5 billion) health budget for 2025/26, which prioritizes epidemic preparedness. The Ministry urged continued vigilance, given Uganda’s proximity to the Democratic Republic of Congo, a frequent Ebola hotspot. This achievement strengthens Uganda’s reputation as a leader in infectious disease control in Africa.
