ECSA-HC Calls for Strengthened Regional Preparedness and Solidarity Following Ebola Outbreaks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Arusha, Tanzania – 18th May 2026. The East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) expresses deep concern over the ongoing Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreaks reported in the Republic of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It extends its solidarity to the Governments, Ministries of Health, healthcare workers, affected families, and communities in both countries as they continue to respond to the outbreak and protect public health.

As a regional intergovernmental health organization, the organisation recognizes that the current Ebola outbreak directly affects countries within its regional cooperation framework. Uganda is one of ECSA-HC’s Member States, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo is among the countries currently supported through ECSA-HC’s regional health security and emergency preparedness programmes.

Recently we participated in a partners’ readiness meeting convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) to discuss the evolving Ebola situation, regional risk of spread, and priority preparedness actions. During the meeting, WHO presented updates on the situation in Ituri Province, DRC, and shared readiness priorities for countries considered at increased risk due to cross-border population movement, trade, travel, and community linkages.

The WHO readiness update emphasized the urgent need for preparedness actions, including:

• Activation of emergency coordination mechanisms
• Updating contingency plans
• Strengthening surveillance at health facilities and Points of Entry
• Commencing entry and exit screening at high-risk borders
• Retraining health workers and surveillance officers
• Enhancing risk communication
• Conducting tabletop exercises for filovirus disease readiness

ECSA-HC reiterates that disease outbreaks do not respect national borders and therefore require timely information sharing, coordinated preparedness, cross-border surveillance, and collective regional action.

Through the ECSA-HC – World Bank-funded Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Project (HEPRRP), ECSA-HC remains committed to supporting countries in strengthening preparedness and response capacities.

The project focuses on enhancing health security systems, regional coordination, surveillance capacity, workforce preparedness, and timely response to public health emergencies in eleven (11) countries, namely: Burundi, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

ECSA-HC is also prepared to support at-risk countries in deploying and utilizing an electronic screening tool for Points of Entry and mass gatherings. The tool, recently supported by ECSA-HC for development and piloting in Uganda and the DRC, is designed to strengthen traveller screening, improve data capture, facilitate timely reporting, and enhance follow-up of alerts during periods of increased public health risk.

In addition, ECSA-HC will continue supporting high-risk countries to plan and conduct cross-border simulation exercises, including tabletop and functional simulation exercises, to test preparedness systems before any potential cases are detected. These exercises will help countries assess coordination systems, surveillance mechanisms, alert verification, referral pathways, risk communication, Points of Entry procedures, and cross-border information sharing.

We commend WHO, Africa CDC, national Ministries of Health, and other partners for their continued leadership and coordination in supporting regional readiness efforts. The organization further encourages countries to intensify preparedness in high-risk border areas, strengthen collaboration between public health and border authorities, and ensure communities receive clear, accurate, and timely information.

At this time, ECSA-HC encourages the public to remain calm, follow official public health guidance issued by national health authorities, and avoid spreading misinformation that may create unnecessary panic.

We will continue engaging closely with Member States, regional bodies, and international partners to support collective efforts aimed at protecting the health and wellbeing of the people of the ECSA region and beyond.

About ECSA-HC

The East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) is an intergovernmental organization that fosters regional cooperation in health among its Member States: Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. ECSA-HC works to strengthen health systems, promote policy harmonization, and support capacity development across the region.

Through the Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Project (HEPRRP), ECSA-HC has expanded its regional footprint beyond Member States to support additional seven (7) countries including Burundi, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda, and São Tomé and Príncipe in strengthening emergency preparedness, resilience, and regional health security systems.

Issued by:

Dr. Ntuli A. Kapologwe
DIRECTOR GENERAL