Uganda has strengthened Ebola screening at its points of entry after receiving thermal scanners from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as health authorities respond to the spread of the Bundibugyo strain across parts of Africa.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health Diana Atwine received the equipment at the ministry’s headquarters, with Director General of Health Services Charles Olaro also present, according to the supplied report.
Atwine later inspected screening arrangements at Entebbe International Airport to assess potential gaps and reinforce procedures for identifying travellers who may require further medical assessment.
The new equipment comes as Uganda maintains heightened surveillance following the end of its 2026 Ebola outbreak. The Ministry of Health declared the country Ebola-free on July 28, after the last confirmed patient was discharged on June 16. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, infected 20 people and killed two, according to the ministry.
Despite the declaration, the ministry warned that infections could be imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the outbreak has continued.
The wider regional situation has also worsened. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said on October 21 that cases had been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Nigeria. It scheduled a virtual meeting of African health ministers for October 28 to coordinate the response and strengthen cross-border preparedness.
Screening has limits
Thermal scanners measure body temperature and can help identify travellers with fever, but they cannot confirm Ebola infection or detect every infected person. Uganda’s screening programme also uses traveller information, symptom checks and referral for further medical assessment where necessary.
The World Health Organization said Uganda began screening at points of entry on May 16, a day after the outbreak was declared. The programme expanded to 38 priority sites, including airports and land border crossings, with health workers collecting travel histories and information about possible symptoms.
The latest equipment handover and inspection are intended to reinforce those measures as Uganda seeks to prevent imported infections and maintain surveillance at its borders.
