The Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Kampala, following test results from three National Reference Laboratories.
Announcing the outbreak, Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, revealed that the index case is a 32-year-old male nurse from Mulago National Referral Hospital.
“The confirmed case, designated as the index case, is a 32-year-old male nurse, an employee of Mulago National Referral Hospital who initially developed fever-like symptoms and sought treatment at multiple health facilities, including Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Matugga in Wakiso District, and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital in Mbale City, as well as from a traditional healer,” she said.
The patient presented with a five-day history of high fever, chest pain, and difficulty in breathing, which later progressed to unexplained bleeding from multiple body sites.
He developed multi-organ failure and succumbed to the disease at Mulago National Referral Hospital on January 29, 2025. Post-mortem samples confirmed Sudan Ebola Virus Disease.
The Ministry of Health has activated the Incident Management Team and dispatched Rapid Response Teams to Mbale City and Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Matugga to assess the situation and implement containment measures.
As part of the emergency response, authorities have already begun contact tracing, with 44 people identified so far.
“Contact listing is ongoing, and so far, we have identified 30 health workers and patients from Mulago, 11 family members of the deceased, and four health workers from Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Matugga,” Dr. Atwine noted.
Additionally, the Ministry has assured the public that the deceased will be accorded a safe and dignified burial to prevent further spread. Vaccination of all identified contacts will begin immediately.
Despite the outbreak, the Ministry reassured Ugandans that the situation remains under control.
“The Ministry of Health would like to reassure the public that we are in full control of the situation and continue to safeguard the lives of all people in Uganda. Please report any suspected case of Ebola to our toll-free line or the nearest health facility,” Dr. Atwine urged.
So far, no other healthcare worker or patient on the ward has shown symptoms of the virus.
However, authorities remain on high alert as containment efforts continue.
