Uganda’s Ministry of Health has said a traveller who tested positive for Bundibugyo virus disease in Nigeria showed no symptoms of the infection before leaving the East African country.
The ministry disclosed this in a statement issued on October 23, 2026, and signed by the Director General of Health Services, Professor Charles Olaro.
It said investigations were ongoing to determine when the woman developed symptoms and the circumstances surrounding her infection.
“Available information indicates that the traveller did not exhibit symptoms at the time of departure from Uganda,” the statement said.
The ministry added that it was collaborating with Nigerian health authorities to establish the woman’s complete travel history, movements and possible exposure to the virus.
According to the statement, Uganda had requested additional information from Nigerian authorities, including detailed travel records and genomic sequencing results, where available, to assist the investigation.
As part of precautionary measures, the ministry announced the reintroduction of traveller locator forms for all arrivals, irrespective of their countries of origin, to support contact tracing and follow-up where necessary.
It also said infection prevention and control measures had been strengthened at entry and exit points, as well as in health facilities, while surveillance activities continued nationwide.
The ministry further announced that travellers with a history of travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo would not be allowed to transit through Uganda.
It warned that the country’s Public Health Act would be enforced against violations of public health requirements, adding that individuals entering Uganda through unauthorised routes would be referred to the appropriate authorities.
The ministry urged communities to report suspected unauthorised border crossings to enable screening and public health follow-up.
Despite the ongoing investigation, it reassured the public that Uganda remained free of Ebola.
It also called on travellers and residents to remain calm and vigilant, maintain proper hand hygiene and comply with screening procedures and other public health measures at points of entry.
The ministry acknowledged the support of government agencies, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organisation in the investigation.
