Government Closes DR Congo Border as Ebola Cases Surge
Uganda has temporarily closed its border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as authorities intensify efforts to contain a fast-spreading Ebola outbreak in the region.
The decision follows a surge in suspected and confirmed Ebola cases in eastern DRC, with infections also reported in Uganda after cross-border exposure. Health officials say the closure is aimed at reducing the risk of further transmission linked to frequent movement between communities along the porous frontier.
Uganda has recorded several Ebola cases, including at least one death, prompting emergency measures such as enhanced surveillance, mandatory isolation for high-risk travelers, and deployment of rapid response teams.
Authorities said only essential and humanitarian movements will be allowed under strict controls, as the government seeks to limit imported infections. The outbreak, driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain—currently without an approved vaccine—has complicated containment efforts.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned that blanket border closures could drive people toward informal crossings, potentially undermining tracking and response strategies. However, Uganda maintains the move is necessary given the escalating risk.
The Ebola outbreak, declared in mid-May, has already resulted in hundreds of suspected deaths and nearly a thousand suspected cases in the DRC, raising concerns of wider regional spread.
