Uganda’s rapid containment of the recent Ebola outbreak is being hailed as a model for Africa, with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (c) and the World Health Organization (WHO) announcing plans to adapt the country’s response strategies in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the risk of cross-border transmission remains high.
During a high-level meeting in Kampala, Africa CDC Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya and WHO Regional Director for Africa Prof. Mohamed Yakub Janabi commended Uganda’s decisive leadership in containing the outbreak.
Meeting with Health Minister Dr. Christopher Baryomunsi and Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine, the two global health leaders praised Uganda’s strong surveillance systems, rapid case detection, coordinated emergency response and effective collaboration with partners.
Dr. Kaseya said Uganda’s response demonstrated that timely action, strong political commitment and coordinated public health systems can successfully contain deadly disease outbreaks.
He noted that Africa CDC would work with countries across the region, particularly the DRC, to strengthen preparedness using lessons learned from Uganda.
Prof. Janabi echoed the call, describing Uganda’s response as an example of how governments and partners can work together to protect lives.
He urged continued vigilance, warning that the ongoing Ebola situation in eastern DRC means Uganda must sustain surveillance, strengthen screening at border points and maintain community awareness to prevent imported infections.
Health Minister Dr. Baryomunsi welcomed the support, saying Uganda remains committed to strengthening epidemic preparedness while working closely with neighbouring countries to improve cross-border disease surveillance.
He stressed that investment in laboratory capacity, emergency operations and community engagement would remain critical in preventing future outbreaks.
Permanent Secretary Dr. Atwine thanked frontline health workers, development partners and communities for their role in ending the outbreak, saying the experience had further strengthened Uganda’s public health emergency response systems and positioned the country to support regional efforts against emerging infectious diseases.