The Ministry of Health, together with the Civil Aviation Authority, diplomats, and airline operators, has called for the easing of what it describes as “unfair” travel restrictions imposed on Uganda in response to the current Ebola outbreak, citing improved disease control and a declining number of new infections.
The discussions, led by Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine, focused on concerns that blanket travel limitations were undermining confidence in countries that openly report disease outbreaks, despite Uganda’s continued implementation of strong containment measures.
According to Dr. Atwine, Uganda has maintained transparency from the onset of the outbreak, promptly sharing information with international partners while enforcing public health interventions aimed at preventing cross-border transmission.
She further noted that Uganda had not recorded any Ebola cases in the past five days, describing this as a positive indicator of the effectiveness of ongoing response measures.
The Ministry of Health emphasized that surveillance systems, treatment protocols, and community-level interventions remain active to ensure that any potential resurgence is detected and contained early.
The meeting also acknowledged countries and airline operators that have maintained open travel routes to Uganda, with officials commending their continued confidence in the country’s public health response.
In a related update, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni said the recent decline in infections demonstrates that Uganda’s containment measures are working, while urging the public to remain vigilant.
The President urged Ugandans to continue adhering to preventive measures such as avoiding handshakes, maintaining hygiene, and following guidance from health authorities, adding that discipline and cooperation remain critical in defeating the disease.
Uganda has previously successfully contained Ebola outbreaks through coordinated public health interventions, rapid response systems, and community engagement strategies.
Health authorities say the current trajectory offers cautious optimism, though they warn that sustained vigilance is necessary to prevent any resurgence of infections