Uganda Seeks End to Ebola Travel Bans

Uganda has initiated a 42-day countdown to officially declare itself free of the Ebola virus after discharging its last confirmed patient on Thursday. The patient, a Congolese national, was released from the Mulago national referral hospital's isolation center in Kampala. This period is mandated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure no new infections emerge before the outbreak can be officially closed.

Following the discharge, Ugandan officials have begun engaging with other countries to advocate for the lifting of Ebola-related travel restrictions. These restrictions have impacted the nation's tourism and trade sectors. The country's health ministry reported that the last case was identified on July 1, 2026. The successful containment efforts have been praised, though concerns remain due to ongoing cases in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Ministry of Health confirmed that the last patient had been receiving treatment for the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus. The outbreak, which began in September 2022, saw 142 confirmed cases and 55 deaths across the Mubende, Kassanda, and Bunyangabo districts. The successful conclusion of the outbreak hinges on the absence of any new cases during the 42-day observation period. The government is now focused on economic recovery and restoring international confidence in Uganda as a safe travel destination.