Uganda closes border with Democratic Republic of Congo amid Ebola outbreak

Uganda has decided to immediately close its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to the epidemiological situation caused by the Ebola outbreak, according to the Ugandan Ministry of Health. “Uganda will temporarily close its border with the DRC with immediate effect. The only exceptions are for authorised Ebola response teams, humanitarian operations, food and cargo transport, and security under strict health inspection and monitoring protocols,” the ministry stated on Wednesday. The statement emphasised that individuals returning from the DRC to Uganda will be required to self-isolate for 21 days under health officer supervision. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. Recent data shows 221 deaths in the DRC are suspected to be due to Ebola. The previous Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo ended in October 2025.