Uganda’s Ministry of Health has publicly distanced itself from a statement by U.S. Foreign Assistance claiming that the United States is funding the establishment of up to 50 Ebola treatment clinics in affected regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
In a statement posted on X, U.S. Foreign Assistance said the treatment facilities are being supported mainly through the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) to strengthen outbreak containment, improve access to care, and deliver critical resources to affected communities.
However, Uganda’s Ministry of Health responded by saying it had not been consulted or engaged regarding the alleged establishment of treatment centres within Uganda.
“Regarding Uganda, the Ministry of Health has not been engaged on the establishment of the treatment centres referred to here, and we are therefore not aware of where they may have been set up within the country,” the Ministry stated.
The clarification comes amid heightened regional attention following Uganda’s confirmation of an imported Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease case involving a Congolese national who later died in Kampala.
Health authorities emphasized that Uganda has so far registered only two imported Ebola cases — one fatality and another patient currently responding well to treatment under close medical supervision.
“We continue to affirm that Uganda has so far registered only two imported Ebola cases: one fatality and one patient currently responding well to treatment under close medical care. There are no local infections and the country remains safe,” the Ministry added.
The response appears aimed at calming public concern and correcting any perception that Uganda is experiencing widespread local transmission requiring dozens of Ebola treatment centres.
Uganda has already activated national response mechanisms, including surveillance at border points, isolation facilities, rapid response teams, and contact tracing operations as authorities work to prevent local spread of the virus.
