East Africa ramps up Ebola response as Uganda, DRC and South Sudan hold crisis talks in Kampala

A health worker checks temperatures at a checkpoint near Goma, DRC. Health officials from Uganda, DRC and South Sudan are meeting in Kampala to coordinate a joint Ebola response amid rising regional concern. (Photo: Arlette Bashizi/REUTERS via DW)

Regional health officials from Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and South Sudan will meet in Kampala this weekend for high-level talks aimed at strengthening cross-border preparedness and response to the Ebola outbreak affecting parts of the region.

The two-day meeting, scheduled for May 22–23, has been organised by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in collaboration with the ministries of health of the three countries. It brings together ministers of health, senior government officials, public health experts and international partners to coordinate efforts to contain the spread of the virus and reinforce regional health security.

"Per the request from Uganda, Africa CDC is organising a cross-border high-level meeting from 22 to 23 May 2026 in Kampala, Uganda, in collaboration with the Ministries of Health of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan," said Africa CDC.

"The meeting brings together Ministers of Health, senior government officials, National Public Health Institutes, RECs, technical experts and regional and international partners, including the World Health Organisation, UNICEF."

The discussions come amid growing concern over an Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC that has already spread into Uganda, raising fears of further transmission across porous borders in East and Central Africa.

"This meeting will strengthen regional preparedness, response coordination, and political alignment in addressing the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease outbreak," said Africa CDC.

Key focus areas include strengthening surveillance systems, improving laboratory capacity, enhancing infection prevention and control measures, and improving case management and logistics.

Officials will also work to harmonise risk communication and community engagement strategies to ensure consistent messaging across affected and at-risk countries.

A major expected outcome of the meeting is the finalisation of a joint regional response plan. The plan is intended to guide coordinated action and mobilise financial and technical resources from governments and development partners to support outbreak containment efforts.

Health authorities say stronger cross-border coordination is critical to preventing further spread of the disease and ensuring a rapid, unified response across the region.

The Africa CDC said the initiative reflects a broader commitment by African states to strengthen regional solidarity and improve preparedness for public health emergencies that transcend national borders.

Source: https://eastleighvoice.co.ke/regional/354857/east-africa-ramps-up-ebola-response-as-uganda-drc-and-south-sudan-hold-crisis-talks-in-kampala