Following the confirmation of an outbreak of Sudan virus disease which belongs to the same family as Ebola virus disease in Uganda today, World Health Organization (WHO) is mobilizing efforts to support the national health authorities to swiftly contain and end the outbreak.

WHO is deploying senior public health experts and mobilizing staff from the country office to support all the key outbreak response measures. In addition, the Organization has allocated US$ 1 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to help accelerate early action, and is readying medical supplies, including personal protective equipment to deliver to Uganda from its Emergency Response Hub in Nairobi.

While there are no licensed vaccines for the Sudan virus disease, WHO is coordinating with developers to deploy candidate vaccines as an addition to the other public health measures. The vaccines will be deployed once all administrative and regulatory approvals are obtained.

So far one confirmed case a nurse from Mulago National Referral Hospital in the capital Kampala  has been reported. No other health workers or patients have shown symptoms of the disease.  A total of 45 contacts, including health workers and family members of the confirmed case (deceased) have been identified and are currently under close monitoring. The identification of the case in a densely populated urban requires rapid and intense response.

“We welcome the prompt declaration of this outbreak, and as a comprehensive response is being established, we are supporting the government and partners to scale up measures to quicky identify cases, isolate and provide care, curb the spread of the virus and protect the population,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Uganda’s robust expertise in responding to public health emergencies will be crucial in ending this outbreak effectively.”

There have been eight previous outbreaks of the Sudan virus disease, with five occurring in Uganda and three in Sudan. Uganda last reported an outbreak of Sudan virus disease in 2022.
“Banking on the existing expertise, we are accelerating all efforts, including expertise, resources and tools to save lives and bring the outbreak to a halt swiftly,” said Dr Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Representative in Uganda.

Sudan virus disease is a severe, often fatal illness affecting humans and other primates that is due to Orthoebolavirus sudanense (Sudan virus), a viral species belonging to the same genus of the virus causing Ebola virus disease.  Case fatality rates of Sudan virus disease have varied from 41% to 100% in past outbreaks. There are no approved treatments or vaccines for Sudan virus. Early initiation of supportive treatment has been shown to significantly reduce deaths from Sudan virus disease.

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The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has announced the adoption of a Forward Defensive Posture in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following intensified fighting between the M23 Movement and FARDC government forces in the region’s North Kivu province.

This strategic move comes in response to a worsening security situation, with the UPDF vowing to safeguard Uganda’s national interests while countering threats from various armed groups operating in the volatile area.

According to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, the forward posture aims to deter and deny hostile elements the opportunity to exploit the security crisis, ensuring Uganda’s borders remain secure.

The UPDF highlighted the ongoing collaboration with FARDC, emphasizing their joint commitment to tracking and neutralizing extremist groups, including remnants of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). Notably, Operation Shujaa, which was launched in November 2021, has already significantly degraded ADF’s operational capabilities.

“The UPDF, working with FARDC, is closely monitoring the unfolding security situation and will continue to aggressively pursue ADF remnants wherever they go,” stated Acting Major General Felix Kulayigye, Director of Defence Public Information.

Authorities assured the public that measures are in place to restore stability and protect civilians in affected regions.

As security developments continue to evolve, the UPDF reaffirmed its commitment to regional peace and the protection of Uganda’s territorial integrity.

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The Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of the Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (SVD) in Kampala following laboratory results from three national reference laboratories.

Addressing the media this afternoon, Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine described the development as a serious public health concern but reassured Ugandans of the Ministry’s swift and coordinated response.

“An outbreak of Sudan Ebola Virus Disease has been confirmed in Kampala following confirmation from three national reference laboratories,” Dr. Atwine said.

The index case has been identified as a 32-year-old male nurse from Mulago National Referral Hospital who presented with a five-day history of high fever, chest pain, and difficulty in breathing. His condition worsened, leading to unexplained bleeding and multi-organ failure. He succumbed to the disease on January 29, 2025. Post-mortem samples confirmed SVD.

The patient sought treatment at multiple facilities, including Mulago National Referral Hospital, Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Matugga, and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, as well as from a traditional healer.

In response to the outbreak, the Ministry has activated a dedicated Incident Management Team and dispatched Rapid Response Teams to Mbale City and Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital in Matugga. Health officials are currently tracing and monitoring 44 contacts of the deceased, which include 30 health workers and patients from Mulago, 11 family members, and four health workers from Saidina Abubakar Islamic Hospital.

To prevent further spread of the disease, the deceased will be given a safe and dignified burial in adherence to Ebola containment protocols. Additionally, a vaccination campaign targeting all contacts of the deceased is set to commence immediately.

Dr. Atwine noted that, fortunately, no other health care worker or patient on the ward has so far presented with symptoms of Ebola.

“The Ministry of Health would like to reassure the public that we are in full control of the situation and continue to safeguard the lives of all people in Uganda,” Dr. Atwine emphasized.

She urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases to the toll-free line 0800-100-066 or to the nearest health facility.

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Rwandan President Paul Kagame has issued a strong warning in response to South Africa’s involvement in the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

His remarks have set the stage for heightened diplomatic tensions as he challenged South Africa’s narrative on their recent discussions.

Kagame accused South African officials, including President Cyril Ramaphosa of distorting facts about their conversations. He expressed frustration over what he described as deliberate attacks and misinformation.

“What has been said about these conversations in the media by South African officials and President Ramaphosa himself contains a lot of distortion, deliberate attacks and even lies. If words can change so much from a conversation to a public statement, it says a lot about how these very important issues are being managed,” Kagame stated.

Addressing claims about the role of the Rwandan Defence Force, Kagame made it clear that Rwanda’s army should not be equated to militia groups. He also criticized the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) which he described as a belligerent force rather than a peacekeeping mission.

Kagame alleged that SAMIDRC’s involvement displaced the East African Community Regional Force undermining peace negotiations and contributing to the failure of diplomatic processes.

He further accused the mission of aligning with genocidal armed groups targeting Rwanda.

Kagame also claimed that Ramaphosa himself had confirmed that the South African soldiers who lost their lives in the conflict were not killed by the M23 rebels but by the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC).

“President Ramaphosa confirmed to me that M23 did not kill the soldiers from South Africa; FARDC did,” Kagame asserted.

The Rwandan leader did not mince words when it came to the possibility of confrontation. “If South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day,” he warned.

However, Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed allegations of hostility towards Rwanda, reiterating that South Africa’s mission is part of broader efforts by SADC and the United Nations to stabilize the DRC. Ramaphosa acknowledged the tense and volatile conditions facing South African troops and pledged continued support.

“South Africa’s military presence in the eastern DRC is not a declaration of war against any country or state. The members of the South African National Defence Force that are in the DRC are part of both SADC and United Nations efforts to bring peace and protect thousands of lives that are constantly threatened by the conflict,” he explained.

Ramaphosa welcomed the position that was recently adopted by the United Nations Security Council during its special sitting on the situation in the DRC, which calls for an immediate end to hostilities, the reversal of territorial expansion by the M23, the exit of external forces from the DRC and the resumption of peace talks under the Nairobi Process.

He noted, “The territorial integrity of the DRC must be respected in accordance with the United Nations Charter on the respect of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of other states.”

He called on all parties to this conflict to fully embrace the current diplomatic efforts that are aimed at finding a peaceful resolution, including honoring the Luanda Process agreements.

“We must silence the guns on our continent for the attainment of inclusive development and prosperity,” he cautioned.

In the 24th Extra Ordinary Summit of the East African Community Heads of State on the Recent Developments in the Eastern DRC held yesterday, the Summit deliberated on the developments and deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC, which led to the loss of lives, a humanitarian crisis, and suffering of people, particularly women and children.

The Summit offered condolences to the families of those affected by the recent developments in the eastern DRC and further wished a quick recovery to those injured.

The Summit expressed concern about the expanding crisis manifesting in attacks on diplomatic missions, embassies, and staff based in Kinshasa. Accordingly, the Summit urged the government of the DRC to protect diplomatic missions, lives, and property.

The Summit called on all parties to the conflict in eastern DRC to cease hostilities and observe an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, facilitating humanitarian access to the affected population.

The Summit called for the peaceful settlement of the conflicts and strongly urged the government of the DRC to directly engage with all stakeholders, including the M23 and other armed groups that have grievances.

Noting that the South African Development Community (SADC) has also been involved in eastern DRC, the Summit decided on a joint EAC-SADC summit to deliberate on the way forward and mandated the Chairperson to consult with the Chairperson of SADC on the urgent convening of the same in the next few days.

The Summit commended the Chairperson of the Summit of the EAC Heads of State for convening the 24th Extraordinary Summit to deliberate on the recent developments in eastern DRC.

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