Uganda’s Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine, has spoken out against the growing travel restrictions imposed on the country following the Ebola outbreak in Bundibugyo District, which is linked to cross-border transmission from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a statement shared on social media on Friday 12th June 2026 , Dr. Atwine revealed that she had met with officials from the Civil Aviation Authority, ambassadors, and airline operators who expressed concern over what they described as blanket travel restrictions affecting Uganda despite the country’s aggressive containment efforts.
The restrictions have resulted in flight curbs and entry bans by several countries, including the United States and Canada, raising concerns about their impact on travel, trade, and tourism.
According to the Ministry of Health, Uganda had recorded 19 confirmed Ebola cases by mid-June 2026, the majority of which were imported. The outbreak has claimed two lives, but health authorities emphasize that there have been no recently reported locally transmitted cases and no exported infections.
Dr. Atwine defended Uganda’s response, highlighting the country’s robust surveillance, rapid response teams, and strict containment measures that have helped prevent wider community transmission.
The development has reignited debate over whether international travel restrictions are justified when a country has demonstrated effective outbreak control, with officials urging the global community to support evidence-based public health measures rather than impose broad travel bans.
As Uganda continues to battle the outbreak, authorities remain confident that the situation is under control and are calling for fair treatment from international partners.
