Ebola response: urgent action required in Uganda and across region
22 May 2026Rising Ebola cases in the region, including confirmed infections in Uganda, highlight urgent need for coordinated cross-border action, stronger surveillance and increased resources to prevent wider spread and protect vulnerable communities.
Given Uganda’s proximity to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where there have been over 50 confirmed cases of Ebola, and its hosting of more than 2 million refugees from neighbouring conflict affected countries, including South Sudan and Sudan, the risk of cross-border transmission remains high.
Preventing spread of Ebola crucial for vulnerable communities
With 2 cases already confirmed in Uganda, this underscores the urgent need for cross-border collaboration, shared disease surveillance and coordinated preparedness efforts to prevent further spread and protect at-risk communities.
“The scale and complexity of the crisis require collective international solidarity.”
Phoebe Kasoga, Country Director of Plan International Uganda
In response to the looming threat over the region, Phoebe Kasoga, Country Director of Plan International Uganda said:
“Without timely intervention, the situation will quickly deteriorate with far reaching consequences across the region and beyond. Ebola preparedness is therefore not only a national concern but also a regional and global one.
International solidarity needed to support affected countries
“While frontline governments continue to demonstrate strong leadership and resilience in responding to the outbreak, the scale and complexity of the crisis require collective international solidarity. Strengthening disease surveillance systems, supporting rapid response mechanisms, protecting health workers and ensuring community engagement are resource-intensive efforts that cannot be sustained by affected countries alone.
“We urgently need additional resources as prolonged crisis and limited financing have constrained the ability to sustain response operations.
“Ebola is not just a disease – it is a test of our compassion, our preparedness and commitment to protect the most vulnerable. Investing in preparedness and response is essential, both as a moral obligation and as a strategic necessity to prevent a wider regional spillover and potential global spread.”
Categories: Emergencies
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