By Christine Mirembe
In a press statement released today, the Ministry of Health confirmed an outbreak of Sudan
Ebola Virus Disease in Uganda’s capital, Kampala. This follows laboratory confirmation from
three national reference laboratories: the Central Public Health Laboratory in Kampala, the
Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe, and Makerere University. According to the Health
Ministry Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine, this marks the eighth Ebola outbreak in
Uganda.
The confirmed case, a now deceased 32-year-old male nurse at Mulago National Referral Hospital presented with a five-day history of high fever, chest pain, difficulty in breathing and
finally bleeding from many body sites. “The patient experienced multi-organ failure and
succumbed to the illness at Mulago National Referral Hospital on 29th January 2025. Post-
mortem samples confirmed Sudan Ebola Virus Disease.” Dr. Diana Atwine said.
The health authorities are “in full control of the situation,” she said, urging Ugandans to report suspected cases immediately. Ebola is a severe viral disease that spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated objects. Sudden onset fever, fatigue, chest pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and eye yellowing are some of the symptoms of the disease.
Uganda’s first Sudan ebolavirus outbreak in a decade was in 2023 with a total of 164
cases among which 142 were confirmed,22 probable, 55 confirmed deaths, and 87 recovered
patients. This will be the second time the same virus hits the nation. Until now, Ebola outbreaks
in Uganda have typically originated from rural areas and not urban centers like Kampala. The
2022-2023 outbreak, for instance, started in Mubende District.
Among other control measures, The Ministry of Health has activated the Incident Management
Team and dispatched Rapid Response Teams to both Mbale City and Saidina Abubakar Islamic
Hospital in Matugga to list contacts and isolate them as these are the places the deceased
sought medical help following the virus symptoms.
Uganda’s first Sudan ebolavirus outbreak in a decade was in 2023 with a total of 164 cases among which 142 were confirmed, 22 were probable cases, 55 died, and 87 recovered. This is the second time since then that the same virus has hit the nation. Ebola outbreaks in Uganda have typically originated from districts closer to the borders of other countries, especially the West, and not Kampala.
