Minister Ayume calls for patience as Uganda keeps DRC border closed

What the report says

Uganda’s Minister in charge of Primary Health Care, Dr Charles Ayume, has asked the public to stay patient and alert while the government keeps the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo closed because of the ongoing Ebola outbreak there. The Independent Uganda, citing Uganda Radio Network, reported that the temporary closure began on May 27, 2026, after the Ebola situation in eastern DRC worsened, and that security has since been strengthened along the border to limit unauthorized crossings.

The article says Congolese nationals have still been entering Uganda through unofficial routes, especially around Bunagana Town Council in Kisoro District. Some have crossed in search of trade, casual work, food, or basic services, while security forces have intercepted others attempting to enter illegally. On November 6, Uganda Wildlife Authority officers arrested ten Congolese nationals in Echuya National Park, allegedly after they bypassed the official Bunagana post without documents or Ebola screening.

Ayume made his remarks at Katuna Border after a closed-door meeting tied to Uganda-Rwanda cross-border health preparedness exercises, which were meant to improve detection and response to public health threats. He said reopening the border before transmission ends in the DRC could expose Uganda to renewed spread and add pressure to the health system.

The report adds that Uganda was declared Ebola-free in July after an outbreak linked to imported infections from the DRC. It also notes that the World Health Organisation had reported that the outbreak remained active in the DRC, with more than 10,600 confirmed cases and 5,100 deaths by November 3.