African leaders mobilizes regional response to Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak

UGANDA—African health leaders and international partners have agreed to strengthen regional coordination and mobilise more resources to contain the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

The leaders also pledged to protect essential services such as education, routine healthcare, cholera control, and measles response efforts as countries confront the growing public health threat.

The commitments were made during a high-level cross-border ministerial meeting held in Kampala and convened by the Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Jean Kaseya.

Ministers of health from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan attended the meeting alongside representatives from the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the United Nations Population Fund and several technical partners.

Regional coordination intensifies

Discussions focused on improving disease surveillance, harmonising preparedness measures across borders, strengthening laboratory systems and ensuring continuity of frontline services in affected communities.

Leaders noted that the outbreak is spreading in a region marked by heavy cross-border movement, insecurity and limited access to approved vaccines or therapeutics specifically targeting the Bundibugyo strain.

Speaking during a media briefing after the meeting, Dr Kaseya warned that the outbreak required urgent continental action and cooperation.

“This outbreak is not a DRC issue, it is a regional issue,” he said. “Those who believe that it is only a DRC issue may face the same surprise the world experienced during COVID-19.”

According to figures shared during the meeting, the outbreak has so far caused 96 confirmed cases and 11 confirmed deaths in the DRC and Uganda.

Health authorities are also investigating 867 suspected cases and 204 suspected deaths.

Challenges in Affected Areas

The DRC’s Minister of Health, Dr Roger Kamba, said insecurity and diagnostic limitations delayed early response efforts.

He explained that the laboratory in Bunia was initially unable to detect the Bundibugyo strain, forcing authorities to send samples to Kinshasa for confirmation.

Dr Kamba added that the DRC government was engaging diplomatic and mediation partners to facilitate access to areas under M23 control so Ebola response teams could continue operating across all affected territories.

The meeting endorsed a unified continental response strategy built around a “one team, one plan, one budget and one implementation model” coordinated jointly by Africa CDC and WHO through the Incident Management Support Team (IMST).

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni offered to host the IMST in Kampala.

Protecting essential services

WHO-AFRO Emergency Director Dr Marie Roseline Belizaire stressed that no single country or agency could manage the outbreak alone, calling for stronger collaboration among governments and partners.

UNICEF Regional Director Ms Etleva Kadilli highlighted the need to maintain healthcare, nutrition, education and protection services, particularly for women and children.

Meanwhile, UNFPA Regional Director Ms Lydia Zigomo noted that women account for more than 60% of infections recorded so far because many serve as caregivers both at home and in healthcare settings.

Partners also called for accelerated research into vaccines and therapeutics for the Bundibugyo strain, while strengthening community engagement, risk communication and preparedness in high-risk border districts.

Preliminary estimates presented during the meeting showed that response operations in the DRC and Uganda may require about US$264 million.

In contrast, preparedness activities in neighbouring high-risk countries, including South Sudan, could require an additional US$54 million.