Support Community-Led Ebola Containment in Uganda

Dear donor,

Uganda's successful response to the 2026 Ebola outbreak has created valuable lessons that can continue protecting communities long after the outbreak has ended. Uganda recorded 20 confirmed cases, two deaths, and successfully completed the required monitoring period before officially declaring the outbreak over on 28 July.

Development Alert is committed to ensuring that the systems strengthened during the emergency remain useful for future public health threats. Community volunteers who participated in awareness activities are continuing to serve as important links between households and local health structures. Local leaders remain engaged, and communities continue receiving information about disease prevention, early reporting, and responsible health-seeking behavior.

This long-term preparedness is especially important because the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo continues to experience a severe Ebola outbreak. WHO reported 4,665 confirmed DRC cases as of 12 August, with 965 patients having recovered and 2,186 deaths reported across the wider outbreak.

The DRC outbreak has spread across multiple provinces and health zones, creating enormous logistical challenges for response teams. WHO reports that the outbreak has now become the largest Ebola outbreak recorded in the DRC.

For Development Alert, this reinforces the importance of community-led preparedness. Our work focuses on strengthening local alert networks, maintaining health education, promoting hygiene, and ensuring that communities know how to communicate concerns to appropriate health authorities.

The field motorcycle acquired during the emergency response continues to support mobility, enabling teams to reach remote communities and respond efficiently when field activities are required.

Uganda's experience proves that preparedness saves lives. Your continued partnership is helping turn that experience into lasting resilience for communities along the Uganda–DRC border.