KAMPALA, Uganda — May 22, 2026
President Yoweri Museveni has downplayed fears surrounding the latest Ebola outbreak in Africa, arguing that the disease is easier to control than many global health threats and should not be the subject of exaggerated international coverage.
Addressing concerns raised by reports on the spread of Ebola in parts of Central Africa, Museveni said the disease has long been understood by African health authorities and that effective measures exist to contain it. He maintained that some international media outlets often present Ebola outbreaks in a manner that creates unnecessary alarm and fails to acknowledge the progress African countries have made in responding to such emergencies.
The President stressed that Ebola differs significantly from COVID-19, which spread rapidly around the world through airborne transmission. By contrast, he said, Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, making it easier for health officials to identify affected individuals, trace contacts and isolate cases before the disease spreads further.
Museveni pointed to Uganda’s experience in dealing with multiple Ebola outbreaks over the past decades, saying the country has developed strong systems for surveillance, rapid response and public awareness. Those systems, he noted, have enabled authorities to contain outbreaks and prevent widespread transmission.
According to the President, Africa’s growing expertise in epidemic management should inspire confidence rather than fear. He said health workers across the continent have accumulated valuable knowledge through years of confronting infectious diseases and have demonstrated their ability to respond effectively when outbreaks occur.
His remarks come as governments and health agencies across the region strengthen preparedness measures and monitor developments in affected areas. Border screening, contact tracing and community sensitisation campaigns remain central to ongoing efforts aimed at limiting the spread of the virus.
Museveni also cautioned against allowing fear-driven narratives to overshadow the realities on the ground. He argued that balanced reporting is essential to ensure the public remains informed without causing panic or undermining confidence in national health systems.
While acknowledging that Ebola remains a dangerous disease that requires serious attention, the President insisted that it is not an impossible challenge. He said the continent’s record shows that outbreaks can be controlled when governments act quickly and communities cooperate with health authorities.
As health officials continue their work across the region, Museveni’s message sought to reassure the public that Africa is better prepared today than ever before to confront and contain Ebola outbreaks.
