Health · Public Health & Disease · 1 hr ago
Uganda requires 21-day quarantine for citizens returning from Congo
Uganda has ordered 21 days of quarantine for citizens returning from the DRC after travel, with returnees paying the cost.
The measure comes as Ebola cases have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya and Nigeria.
Uganda says it has no active infections after declaring its own Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak over in July.
Health checks have also been strengthened at Entebbe airport and land crossings, and arrivals must provide contact details.
Investigators are trying to establish where a woman diagnosed in Nigeria caught Ebola after travelling from Uganda to Abuja.
Swiss authorities believe she was infected during a visit to Uganda, while Ugandan officials say her movements and possible exposure are still being investigated.
The infection route remains unresolved, although Nigerian officials have found the virus closely related to the one in Kenya’s first case.
Uganda says 60 people monitored after possible contact with the Kenyan patient completed 21 days without symptoms; investigations and cross-border checks continue.
Uganda has ordered citizens returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to quarantine for 21 days at their own expense.
The measures come as officials investigate how a woman who travelled from Uganda to Nigeria contracted Ebola.
Uganda has intensified screening at Entebbe International Airport and land crossings, and requires incoming travellers to complete contact forms.
The woman’s possible source of infection remains unresolved, with Ugandan and Nigerian officials reviewing her movements and other evidence.
Uganda says it has no active Ebola cases after declaring its Bundibugyo outbreak over.
- Who
- Uganda’s Health Ministry announced the measures for Ugandans returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- What
- Returning citizens with a history of travel to the DRC must quarantine for 21 days at their own expense. Uganda has also intensified screening and traveller information requirements.
- When
- The measures were announced on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
- Where
- Uganda, including Entebbe International Airport and land crossings.
- Why
- Uganda is strengthening precautions against Ebola amid an investigation into a woman who travelled from Uganda to Nigeria and tested positive.
Ugandan officials
Swiss authorities
Possible source of the woman’s infection
Ugandan officials
Ugandan officials say the source remains under investigation and have questioned whether possible exposure through relatives who visited the DRC was ruled out.
Swiss authorities
Swiss authorities said she was believed to have contracted Ebola while travelling to Uganda.
Uganda first established border controls after the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak began in the DRC.
The Kenyan patient travelled through Uganda and arrived in Kenya; the Nigerian patient also passed through Entebbe airport that day.
Nigeria confirmed that the woman had Ebola.
Uganda announced restrictions on transit for travellers with a history of travel to the DRC and reinstated traveller locator forms.
Uganda announced 21-day quarantine at their own expense for citizens returning from the DRC.
- Quarantine period
- 21 days
- Quarantine cost
- Returning Ugandans pay their own expenses
- Airport
- Entebbe International Airport
- Uganda’s previous outbreak
- 20 confirmed infections and two deaths
- DRC cases by October 20
- 9,704 cases and 4,687 deaths
- Kenya contacts monitored in Uganda
- 60 people completed 21 days of monitoring and were discharged
5 sources
Uganda orders 21-day Ebola quarantine for citizens returning from DR Congo
Uganda tightens Ebola border controls and requires returnees from Congo to pay for quarantine
Uganda tightens Ebola border controls as Congo returnees face 21-day quarantine
Uganda to impose 21-day quarantine on returning citizens with Congo travel history
Ebola: Uganda restricts transit for travellers from DRC
What people are saying
We should speak science, not politics
The Ministry of Health wishes to update the country on an ongoing investigation into the traveller who tested positive for Bundibugyo Virus Disease in Nigeria.