Support Community-Led Ebola Containment in Uganda

Dear our beloved supporter,

Uganda has reached an important public health milestone by successfully ending its 2026 Ebola outbreak. The country recorded 20 confirmed cases, including two deaths, and Uganda officially declared the outbreak over on 28 July after completing the required monitoring period. The last confirmed case was reported on 21 June, and the last patient was discharged from treatment on 16 July.

This achievement demonstrates the value of rapid detection, contact tracing, community engagement, infection prevention, and strong coordination between health authorities and grassroots organizations. However, Uganda's success does not mean that preparedness can stop.

Across the border, the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to face an unprecedented Ebola emergency. As of 12 August, WHO reported 4,665 confirmed cases in the DRC and 2,186 deaths across the wider outbreak. The DRC outbreak has become the largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded in the country, surpassing the previous 2018–2020 outbreak.

Development Alert continues supporting communities connected to the Uganda–DRC border through health education, community awareness, local alert systems, and preparedness activities. Community volunteers remain essential in helping families recognize concerning symptoms, report unusual illnesses, access reliable information, and maintain appropriate hygiene practices.

Our field activities remain important preparedness assets, enabling teams to reach remote communities quickly, conduct follow-up visits, and deliver essential educational and prevention materials.

Uganda's success gives us hope. The continuing emergency in the DRC reminds us why preparedness must remain active. Your support is helping protect Uganda's hard-won progress while strengthening the resilience of communities living closest to the ongoing regional crisis.