Protect Uganda-DRC Border Communities from Ebola

Dear donor,

Thanks to your generosity and sacrifice. Uganda has successfully completed its Ebola response and remains Ebola-free after completing the internationally established 42-day monitoring period. 

The country recorded 20 confirmed Ebola cases during the 2026 outbreak, and the successful response demonstrated the importance of rapid detection, contact tracing, infection prevention, community engagement and coordinated emergency response. WHO and Africa CDC have recognized Uganda’s achievement while emphasizing the importance of maintaining preparedness because Ebola continues to circulate in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.

The regional situation has become significantly more serious. As of 3 September, the DRC had reported 6,342 confirmed Ebola cases and 3,072 related deaths. A total of 770 patients were hospitalized in isolation. The continuing outbreak has spread across multiple provinces and remains particularly severe in Ituri, while North Kivu and other affected areas continue reporting cases.

Development Alert is therefore continuing its grassroots preparedness activities in communities connected to the Uganda–DRC border. Our interventions include community health education, hygiene promotion, local surveillance, early reporting, engagement with community leaders, and preparedness activities in schools, markets, transport stages and places of worship.

The field motorcycle purchased to strengthen emergency response remains an important asset. It allows teams to reach remote communities, conduct follow-up visits, transport educational materials and supplies, and respond quickly when community alerts are received.

Uganda’s success provides hope, but the growing DRC emergency creates an urgent reason to remain vigilant. Continued donor support will help Development Alert protect Uganda’s hard-won progress while strengthening the resilience of vulnerable border communities