Ministry of Health officials under the leadership of Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary , will be meeting colleagues from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ministry of Health on Saturday, the Executive Director of the Uganda Media Centre, Alan Kasujja, has confirmed.
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, Kasujja noted that the Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Jean Kaseya, will also attend the meeting.
“A communique will be signed,” he wrote.
Dr. Kaseya met President Museveni at State House earlier on Friday, where discussions focused on the Ebola situation in the region and the importance of a coordinated and united African response.
“We discussed the Ebola situation in the region and the importance of a strong, coordinated, and united African response,” he wrote on X.
“I congratulated Uganda for its rapid and effective response to the outbreak. Following our cross-border meeting with Ministers of Health of the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, Africa will have one common plan to guide our collective response to this threat, a threat which we will most certainly overcome together.”
Uganda has suspended flights, border transport and weekly markets in high-risk border districts after confirming two imported Ebola cases linked to the outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwine, announced the emergency measures during a briefing at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.
“Weekly markets in high-risk border sub-counties are suspended for 40 weeks. Flights to and from DRC to Uganda suspended taking effect within 48 hours and border security patrols will be enhanced to reduce unnecessary cross-border movements,”
“This applies to non-weekly markets and all border districts, including schools, prisons, hotels, and places of worship across the country.”
Dr. Atwine also confirmed the current health status in the country, saying: “We are now awaiting her recovery and discharge,” she added.
Uganda Airlines has suspended its scheduled Entebbe–Kinshasa flights effective Saturday, May 23, 2026, until further notice.
“This decision has been taken as a precautionary measure in the interest of the health, safety, and well being of our passengers, crew, and the wider public,” the statement read.
“Passengers affected by cancellations are advised to contact Uganda Airlines through our customer service channels for support. Uganda Airlines remains committed to the highest standards of safety and will continue to monitor the situation closely in consultation with the relevant health and aviation authorities.”
The suspension comes as Uganda implements emergency public health interventions following confirmation of two imported Ebola cases linked to an outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, with further updates expected as regional coordination efforts intensify.
The outbreak involved a Congolese national who travelled into Uganda and later died at Kibuli Hospital.
Health officials tested samples after DR Congo declared an Ebola outbreak, and results confirmed the Ebola Bundibugyo strain.
A relative who had contact with the deceased was isolated but also tested negative.
Uganda Airlines also said it remains committed to safety standards and will continue to monitor developments closely.
The outbreak has drawn international concern after an American doctor working in DR Congo’s Ituri region tested positive for haemorrhagic fever and was airlifted to Germany for treatment.
The World Health Organisation subsequently declared the outbreak an international public health emergency.
President Museveni has also moved to reduce mass gatherings, including cancelling this year’s Martyrs Day celebrations, as part of precautionary measures to reduce transmission risk.