Uganda’s Ministry of Health says the country has no confirmed active Ebola cases and is seeking detailed information from Nigeria on the travel history of a Nigerian woman who tested positive for the disease.
The ministry, in a public statement issued in Kampala on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, said the woman travelled to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo for business before transiting through Uganda in early October.
It said preliminary information indicated that she showed no symptoms while in Uganda but developed them after arriving in Nigeria, where her infection was subsequently confirmed.
The Ugandan government stressed that the woman’s transit through the country did not establish that she contracted the virus there, adding that the source of infection remained under investigation.
“The location of exposure remains under investigation,” the statement said.
The ministry said the Nigerian government was yet to provide detailed information about the woman’s travel itinerary and clinical history, which it said would help guide further investigations and any necessary contact tracing.
The statement comes after Nigeria’s Federal Government confirmed an Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday, following laboratory confirmation of the infection.
According to Nigerian authorities, the patient, who had recently arrived in the country on an international flight from Uganda, was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received care for several days.
The differing accounts of the woman’s journey underscore the need for further clarification of her travel history and possible exposure to the virus.
While Nigerian authorities identified Uganda as her immediate point of departure, the Ugandan statement said she had travelled to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo for business before transiting through the country.
The Ugandan ministry said it would work with relevant agencies to strengthen screening and public health controls at points of entry, while urging the public to remain calm and vigilant.
It also advised residents to practise regular handwashing and sanitising, adding that verified updates would be communicated through its official channels.
Ebola is a severe viral disease that can spread through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who is showing symptoms, as well as contaminated materials.
Early identification, isolation, contact tracing and strict infection prevention measures are critical to limiting transmission.
Deborah Tolu-Kolawole is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with four years of experience covering Nigeria’s vast education sector as well as related areas such as politics, health, security, and labour. She blends rigorous reporting with digital storytelling to bring clarity and insight to complex issues affecting learners, educators, and policymakers. Deborah was a nominee for The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) Prize in Journalism, recognising her impactful reporting and contributions to Nigerian media. Her work reflects strong newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a commitment to accurate, audience-focused journalism. In addition to her reporting, she is fluent in multiple languages and serves as a contributing member of The Punch editorial board.