Uganda has turned every Ebola outbreak into an opportunity to strengthen its ability to detect, respond to and control infectious diseases, according to State Minister for Primary Health Care Dr Charles Ayume.
Speaking about the country's public health progress, Dr Ayume said each outbreak has helped improve Uganda's emergency response systems, making communities and health workers better prepared to respond to future health threats.
He said public awareness has grown significantly over the years, with communities now reporting suspected cases more quickly and voluntarily sharing information with health authorities.
"Every time we experience an outbreak, we build capacity as a country and create awareness," Ayume said.
He noted that increased public awareness has strengthened Uganda's disease surveillance and early warning systems, enabling faster detection and response to outbreaks.
The remarks came as Uganda on Tuesday officially declared the end of the 2026 Ebola outbreak after completing the mandatory 42-day monitoring period without recording any new infections.
Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi said the countdown was based on the discharge of the last Ugandan Ebola patient on June 16, although the country's final patient discharged on July 16 was a Congolese national whose imported case had no known contacts in Uganda.
Dr Ayume also highlighted improvements in laboratory capacity, saying Uganda no longer relies solely on Kampala for Ebola testing.
In the past, samples from suspected Ebola cases had to be transported to the capital, delaying diagnosis and response.
Today, laboratories have been established in strategic border areas, including Arua and Kasese, enabling faster testing and quicker public health interventions.
"We want to assure Ugandans that we have now built capacity at the regional level and also along the border regions," he said.
Dr Ayume said Uganda has also developed a stronger health workforce capable of responding to disease outbreaks both within the country and beyond its borders.
He said health professionals from districts such as Arua and Kasese have gained valuable experience through previous outbreak responses and are now able to support emergency operations in other countries.
The minister added that Uganda has developed disease response protocols that are increasingly being referenced by international researchers, reflecting the country's growing contribution to global public health.
On research, Ayume said Uganda continues to make progress in the search for Ebola vaccines, with ongoing studies offering hope for improved prevention and control of future outbreaks.
"There is a lot of research and development going on," he said.
Dr Ayume said the lessons learned from previous Ebola outbreaks have helped Uganda build a more resilient health system that is better prepared to respond to future public health emergencies.
