Arusha, Tanzania – Eswatini’s Health Minister Mduduzi Matsebula has joined fellow health ministers from across the East, Central and Southern Africa region in commending Uganda for its rapid response to a confirmed Ebola Bundibugyo Disease outbreak.
Matsebula, who chairs the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community’s (ECSA-HC) Health Ministers Conference (HMC), issued the commendation on Friday, 23 May 2026, from Arusha, Tanzania, where the regional body is headquartered.
The ministers praised Uganda’s President, the country’s Ministry of Health, national and district response teams, frontline health workers, port health officials, community structures and partners for the speed at which they moved to contain the outbreak and protect the population.
“ECSA-HC expresses full confidence in the measures being implemented by the Government of Uganda. We commend the courage and professionalism of all frontline teams and reaffirm that ECSA-HC Member States stand ready to support Uganda at any time, should additional assistance be required,” said Matsebula.
Uganda activated national and district response structures shortly after the outbreak was confirmed, deploying rapid response teams to high-risk districts and intensifying surveillance and contact tracing. The country also strengthened screening at entry points, activated laboratory testing and treatment capacity, and scaled up infection prevention, emergency medical services, and community engagement efforts.
ECSA-HC said it was also providing technical assistance to Uganda for the urgent rollout of a Digital Point of Entry Health Screening System. The support covers training of national trainers and port health staff, deployment of a mobile application, real-time dashboard monitoring, and digital traveller screening across designated entry points. Early results show live screening data already flowing through the system.
The regional body said it was also working with Uganda and its neighbours to strengthen cross-border preparedness and coordination. These efforts involve joint technical engagements, harmonisation of cross-border procedures, enhanced surveillance and screening, referral coordination, resource and contact mapping, and simulation exercises at strategic border areas involving Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Burundi.
The HMC said Ebola and other public health threats do not respect borders, and that regional solidarity remains essential for effective preparedness, response and recovery.
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