Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Alupo has called for the immediate lifting of air travel restrictions imposed on Uganda following an Ebola outbreak that originated in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, arguing that the measures are disproportionate and undermine confidence in countries that are transparent about disease reporting.

Speaking at a virtual African Union meeting hosted by Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, Alupo emphasized that Uganda has maintained openness and strong public health systems, successfully preventing cross-border exportation of Ebola cases.

She stressed that “Uganda cannot export cases of Ebola beyond our borders,” noting that despite 19 confirmed cases, 7 recoveries, and 2 deaths, the country remains firmly in control of the outbreak through coordinated national response efforts.

Alupo said Uganda has activated a whole-of-government approach involving surveillance, contact tracing, infection prevention, and cross-border coordination, while calling for sustained regional cooperation to manage the outbreak effectively.

She urged African Union member states to strengthen entry and exit screening at borders, establish standardized regional traveler locator systems, enhance real-time data sharing, and mobilize adequate funding for response efforts.

The Vice President further emphasized the need to protect essential health services such as immunization, maternal health, and malaria prevention, warning against reversing gains in routine healthcare due to the outbreak response.

She also called for sustained political commitment and stronger cross-border collaboration in surveillance, laboratory systems, risk communication, and emergency preparedness, underscoring that Ebola control is a collective continental responsibility.

Uganda reaffirmed its commitment to working with African states, the African Union, the Africa CDC, WHO, and other partners to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.

The meeting was attended by Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng and Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine.