Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi has assured Ugandans that the country is on the verge of declaring the latest Ebola outbreak over, with only three patients remaining under treatment and steadily recovering.
Uganda has recorded 20 confirmed Ebola cases, including two deaths, in the latest outbreak, according to the Ministry of Health.
The minister urged the public to remain vigilant and continue observing all Ebola prevention measures until the outbreak is fully contained.
Dr. Baryomunsi made the remarks while welcoming the United Kingdom’s Minister of State for International Development and Africa, Baroness Jenny Chapman, to the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe.
The visit, which comes ahead of UVRI’s 90th anniversary celebrations in July 2026, aimed to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s fight against infectious diseases through research, science, innovation, and long-term health partnerships.
While receiving Baroness Chapman, Dr. Baryomunsi said Uganda’s surveillance and response systems had once again demonstrated their effectiveness in containing disease outbreaks.
“Uganda continues to face a heavy burden of infectious and viral diseases, making sustained investment in scientific research and emergency preparedness critical to protecting public health,” Dr. Baryomunsi said.
He noted that of the 20 confirmed Ebola cases, 15 involved Congolese nationals, underscoring the importance of cross-border surveillance and regional cooperation in disease control efforts.
The minister said two people had succumbed to the disease, while the remaining three patients were responding well to treatment.
He further described the partnership between Uganda and the United Kingdom as a historic milestone that has significantly strengthened Uganda’s health sector through investments in research, laboratory infrastructure, capacity building, and disease surveillance.
Dr. Baryomunsi also invited Baroness Chapman to explore Uganda’s tourism potential and encouraged more British investment in the country.
UK Reaffirms Support for Global Health Security
Baroness Chapman reaffirmed the strong historical ties between Uganda and the United Kingdom, describing the partnership as one built on a shared commitment to improving global health security.
She pledged the UK’s continued support towards scientific research, innovation, infrastructure development, and capacity building, emphasizing that strong international partnerships remain essential in responding to emerging health threats.
“Strong partnerships between countries are critical in responding to emerging health threats and strengthening global health security,” Baroness Chapman said.
The visit to UVRI highlighted the ongoing collaboration between British and Ugandan scientists in research on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, Mpox, Ebola, and other communicable and non-communicable diseases, underscoring the UK's continued investment in strengthening Uganda’s health research capacity.
UVRI at the Centre of Uganda’s Health Security
Prof. Pontiano Kaleebu, Director of UVRI, was among the senior officials who received Baroness Chapman, alongside State Minister for Health Dr. Charles Ayume and other government officials.
Minister Baryomunsi commended UVRI’s scientific excellence and world-class research infrastructure, noting that the institute continues to attract global partnerships and remains a cornerstone of Uganda’s public health response.
The institute plays a central role in disease surveillance, diagnostics, vaccine and epidemiological research, and collaborative scientific initiatives that benefit both Uganda and the wider East African region.
As Uganda moves closer to declaring the Ebola outbreak over, health officials say continued vigilance and strong international partnerships will remain critical in safeguarding the country against future public health emergencies.
