Uganda Issues Statement After Ebola Patient in Nigeria Transited Through Country

Uganda’s Ministry of Health has issued a statement following reports that a Nigerian woman who tested positive for Ebola had transited through Uganda.

In a statement on Wednesday, October 21, the ministry said preliminary information indicated that the woman had travelled to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for business before passing through Uganda in early October.

"The Ministry of Health has noted reports of a confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria involving a Nigerian woman who travelled to Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for business," the statement read.

The ministry said the woman had no symptoms while transiting through Uganda but developed them after arriving in Nigeria. 

It cautioned that her passage through the country did not necessarily mean she contracted the disease there, noting that investigations into the possible location of exposure were ongoing.

Uganda also said it was awaiting further information from Nigerian authorities to establish the woman’s travel history and clinical background.

"The Government of Nigeria is yet to provide detailed information on her travel itinerary and clinical history which will guide further investigations and any necessary contact tracing," the statement added.

The ministry reassured the public that Uganda had not recorded any active Ebola cases at the time of issuing the statement, distinguishing the reported Nigerian case from the country’s own epidemiological situation.

"We wish to clarify that, as at the time of this statement, Uganda has no confirmed active Ebola cases," the statement further read.

Uganda also announced plans to strengthen screening and public health measures at its points of entry in coordination with relevant government agencies.

"Additionally, limited provisions had been maintained for humanitarian and diplomatic movement. The Ministry, working with relevant agencies, will further strengthen screening and public health controls at points of entry," the statement noted.

The ministry urged members of the public to remain alert while observing routine hygiene measures to reduce the risk of disease transmission.

"We urge the public to remain calm, vigilant and to practice regular handwashing and sanitising. The Ministry will continue to share verified updates through its official channels," the statement concluded.

In a statement on Tuesday, October 20, Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare announced the case following laboratory confirmation.

"The Federal Government of Nigeria confirm one case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following laboratory confirmation today, 20 October 2026," the ministry said.

The ministry said the patient, who arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, was currently in isolation and receiving medical care as health authorities moved to contain the infection and prevent further transmission.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said it was coordinating the response with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities.

"The Federal Minister of Health and Social Welfare and NCDC are working closely with the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities to contain the infection and prevent further spread," the ministry added.

The government said contact tracing had commenced, with 44 close contacts identified as public health teams worked to establish whether other people had been exposed to the virus.

The ministry sought to reassure the public that Nigeria had previous experience responding to Ebola, citing the country's successful containment of the disease in 2014.

"Nigeria successfully contained Ebola in 2014, and we have the experience and public health systems to respond to this case. The Federal Government, FCT authorities and other partners are working together to protect healthcare workers, patients and the wider public," the statement concluded.