Civil Society Calls on the Government of Uganda to Strengthen the Ebola Response

Kampala, Uganda – May 2026

The Resilience Action Network Africa (RANA) Uganda Working Group is deeply concerned by the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak confirmed in Uganda on 15 May 2026. Originating in Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the outbreak presents a significant threat to public health, social cohesion, and economic stability across the region.

We acknowledge the swift actions taken by the Government of Uganda, particularly through the Ministry of Health and national emergency coordination structures, to activate the National Response Plan. Uganda’s previous experience in managing Ebola outbreaks has enabled the rapid deployment of surveillance systems, the activation of emergency operations centres, strengthened risk communication efforts, and coordination with international partners, including the World Health Organization and Africa CDC. These efforts demonstrate strong political commitment and technical capacity in responding to the outbreak.

Despite these commendable efforts, significant challenges remain. Health system constraints, including limited human resources, gaps in infection prevention and control (IPC) capacity, and insufficient logistical support in high-risk districts, threaten to undermine the effectiveness of the response. Porous borders between western Uganda and the DRC, high population mobility, and cross-border socio-economic activities such as fishing, trade, mining, and pilgrimage continue to increase the risk of transmission. In addition, misinformation, stigma, and community mistrust persist in some areas, potentially delaying early reporting and timely care-seeking.

As civil society partners, we reaffirm our role in complementing government and development partner efforts by mobilising communities, amplifying trusted information and communication, and safeguarding vulnerable populations.

We are deeply concerned that the outbreak has already registered 223 suspected deaths and 11 confirmed deaths in Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo with evidence of clustered family transmission and healthcare-associated infections and seven confirmed cases with one death in Uganda. Uganda’s proximity to the epicenter, combined with these vulnerabilities, makes cross-border transmission highly probable. We recognise that the Bundibugyo strain, with a case fatality rate of up to 50% has no licensed vaccine or therapeutics. This reality heightens reliance on collaborative efforts for early detection, robust surveillance, infection prevention measures, and sustained community engagement.

In light of the above, civil society partners will complement government-led Ebola response efforts by strengthening community engagement and surveillance. We will leverage grassroots networks, including community health workers, religious and cultural leaders, and local councils, to deliver accurate and timely information while actively countering misinformation, stigma, and rumours. Partners will also strengthen community-based surveillance by supporting village health teams and local structures to identify, report, and refer suspected cases. Collaboration will extend across borders, particularly with actors in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the wider Great Lakes region, to harmonise community engagement, information sharing, and referral systems.

We call for the following urgent actions to address critical gaps in Uganda’s Ebola response:

1. Strengthen health system capacity: Sustain investment in district-level systems, especially in high-risk and border areas, ensure access to essential supplies, (PPE, diagnostics, medicines), and expand the health workforce with focus on IPC, case management, and safe burials.
2. Protect frontline health workers: As the backbone of the response, ensure adequate PPE, enforced safety standards, fair remuneration, risk allowances, insurance, and mental health support to address stress and burnout.
3. Deepen community engagement and trust: Strengthen sustained, two-way engagement through trusted local structures and counter misinformation, especially in high-risk, mobile, and underserved communities.
4. Uphold human rights and equity: Ensure all response measures are lawful, proportionate, and dignified, with guaranteed access to basic services and protections against stigma, discrimination, and gender-based violence.
5. Maintain essential services: Sustain maternal, child health, HIV, TB, immunisation, and chronic care services.
6. Strengthen cross-border coordination: Enhance joint surveillance, information sharing, and harmonised border  protocols.
7. Ensure transparency and accountability: Build public trust through timely, accurate communication and strong oversight of resources, with meaningful civil society participation in coordination mechanisms.
8. Invest in long-term resilience: Strengthen future preparedness through integrated (One Health) surveillance, and sustained investment in research, local manufacturing, health infrastructure, and community resilience systems.
9. Ensure transparent emergency procurement: Ensure all government entities and implementing partners to strictly adhere to PPDA Guidelines for Procurement in Emergency Situations, ensuring transparency, accountability, and value for money in Ebola response efforts

An effective Ebola response in Uganda will depend not only on technical interventions, but on trust, equity, and collective accountability, placing communities at the centre of preparedness and response. Uganda has faced Ebola before, and history shows that resilience lies in collective action. 

Signatories:

1. AHF Uganda Cares
2. Afya na Haki (Ahaki)
3. Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC)
4. Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD)
5. Center for Women Justice – Uganda
6. Centre for Health Law and Policy Innovation
7. Developing Minds Group (DMG)
8. Front Rise Health Uganda
9. HEPS Uganda
10. Local Sustainable Communities Organisation (LOSCO)
11. Population Services International, Uganda (PSI)
12. Support on AIDS & Life Thru Telephone Helpline (SALT)
13. Together Alive Health Initiative (TAHI)
14. Uganda Muslim Medical Bureau (UMMB)
15. Uganda National Health Users/Consumers’ Organization (UNHCO)
16. Women with a Mission (WWM)