Uganda Rejects US Claim of Funding 50 Ebola Treatment Clinics Amid Outbreak Response

Uganda’s health ministry has denied claims by the United States Department of State that it is funding up to 50 Ebola treatment clinics in the country. This comes amid an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that has also recorded cases in Uganda. Officials say Uganda has only two imported cases and no local transmission, while insisting it was not consulted on any US-backed treatment centres.

Uganda’s health ministry has strongly rejected claims by the United States Department of State that Washington is funding the establishment of up to 50 Ebola treatment clinics in Uganda and other outbreak-affected areas, saying it was not informed or involved in any such arrangement.
The clarification comes amid a growing regional response to an Ebola outbreak that was first declared in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo last Friday. The outbreak has raised alarm across neighbouring countries after health authorities reported around 139 suspected deaths and nearly 600 probable cases linked to the highly contagious haemorrhagic fever. Two confirmed cases have also been recorded in neighbouring Uganda, heightening concerns about cross-border transmission and coordinated response efforts.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Uganda’s health ministry said it was not aware of any Ebola treatment centres being established within the country under the US-funded initiative, and that it had not been consulted on their location or operations. Officials emphasised that any such intervention would require direct coordination with national health authorities, especially given the sensitivity of Ebola response activities and the need for strict infection control protocols.
The ministry also sought to reassure the public about the current situation in Uganda, stating that the country has only recorded two imported Ebola cases so far. According to the statement, one patient has died while the second is receiving treatment and is reportedly responding well under close medical supervision. Authorities stressed that there is currently no evidence of local transmission within Uganda, and that surveillance and containment measures remain active to prevent further spread.
Despite this reassurance, the outbreak in the region has prompted heightened international attention and precautionary measures. The US State Department has announced plans to support Ebola response efforts, including funding for treatment units intended to provide medical care, humanitarian assistance, and outbreak control support in affected areas across the DRC and Uganda.
In addition to funding commitments, the United States has also introduced travel restrictions, banning non-citizens who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the previous 21 days from entering the country. The measure is aimed at reducing the risk of cross-border spread as health authorities continue to monitor the evolving situation.
As coordination between governments and international partners remains critical, the disagreement over the reported treatment clinics highlights ongoing challenges in aligning communication and response strategies during fast-moving health emergencies in the region.