By Dennis Katungi
Uganda has once again demonstrated resilience, discipline, and public health excellence by declaring itself Ebola-free. With zero active cases currently recorded, the country has successfully contained the outbreak and protected both its citizens and visitors from further transmission. This achievement deserves recognition not only from Ugandans but also from the international community, particularly the global health agencies and governments that issued negative travel advisories during the outbreak. Those advisories don’t just cost Uganda loss in tourist revenue only, they cost us our hard earned currency directly. Uganda had to hire Skyline Capitol in Washington to advise our embassy on outreach and engagement with key policymakers to reverse all this negativity, a process that is on-going.
When Ebola was detected, Uganda responded swiftly. Health workers, surveillance teams, local leaders, security agencies, and communities worked together to identify contacts, isolate suspected cases, and prevent the spread of the disease. The Ministry of Health coordinated an intensive response that reflected years of investment in epidemic preparedness. Uganda’s experience with previous outbreaks enabled authorities to act decisively and transparently.
The result is clear: the outbreak has been brought under control, and there are currently no confirmed Ebola cases in the country. This is not a matter of rhetoric or wishful thinking; it is the outcome of rigorous public health measures, scientific monitoring, and sustained community cooperation.
During the outbreak, organizations such as the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and several foreign governments issued advisories cautioning travelers about visiting Uganda. Such measures may have been understandable when the outbreak was active and evolving.
However, public health advisories should be evidence-based and updated when circumstances change. If Uganda has met the criteria for being declared Ebola-free, then the international community should act with the same urgency it displayed when issuing warnings. Maintaining outdated or overly restrictive advisories after the threat has been eliminated risks unfairly damaging Uganda’s economy, tourism sector, and international reputation.
The lifting of these advisories would send an important signal that the world recognises Uganda’s successful containment efforts and trusts the country’s health systems. It would also encourage the recovery of sectors that were negatively affected by fear and uncertainty.
Tourism is one of Uganda’s most important economic sectors. The country is home to some of the world’s most extraordinary attractions, including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, the source of the Nile River, and the majestic Rwenzori Mountains. Visitors come from across the globe to experience mountain gorillas, diverse wildlife, vibrant cultures, and warm hospitality.
Every unnecessary travel warning translates into cancelled bookings, reduced airline traffic, lost jobs, and diminished incomes for thousands of Ugandans working in hotels, tour companies, restaurants, craft markets, and transportation services. The people who suffer most are often ordinary workers and small business owners who had no role in the outbreak itself.
Now that Uganda has eliminated active Ebola transmission, the country should not continue to bear the economic burden of advisories that no longer reflect reality.
The message to the world should be clear: Uganda is open, safe, and beautiful to visit. Travelers can once again enjoy the country’s natural wonders with confidence. Uganda’s health authorities remain vigilant, surveillance systems remain active, and emergency response mechanisms remain in place. The experience gained from this and previous outbreaks have strengthened the country’s preparedness for future health challenges. Far from being a country overwhelmed by disease, Uganda has shown that it can confront a dangerous epidemic and emerge stronger. This is a story of competence, resilience, and national unity.
For generations, Uganda has been known as “The Pearl of Africa”. The phrase captures the country’s exceptional beauty, biodiversity, and cultural richness. The successful defeat of Ebola adds another dimension to that reputation: the ability to protect public health through coordinated national effort. As tourists return, investors regain confidence, and international partnerships deepen, Uganda has an opportunity to showcase not only its landscapes but also the strength of its institutions. The country’s response demonstrates that African nations can manage complex health emergencies effectively and responsibly.
The international community should therefore move beyond outdated perceptions and acknowledge the current reality. Uganda is not an Ebola hotspot; it is a country that has successfully controlled an outbreak and restored public safety. The lifting of negative advisories would be more than a bureaucratic adjustment. It would be an act of fairness and recognition. Uganda did its part by detecting cases, reporting them transparently, implementing control measures, and ultimately eliminating active transmission. Global institutions and partner countries should now do theirs by updating their guidance accordingly. Uganda’s victory over Ebola is a reminder that preparedness, leadership, and community engagement can overcome even the most serious public health threats. The country deserves credit for that achievement. As we celebrate achieving Zero milestone, the Pearl of Africa is open, safe and beautiful.
The writer is the Deputy Executive Director – Uganda Media Centre
@Dennis_Katungi