Ssenyonyi Questions Ongoing Ugandan Travel Bans Post-Ebola

Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi has voiced concerns in Parliament over the persistent travel restrictions and negative perceptions Ugandans encounter abroad, even after the World Health Organization declared the nation free of the Ebola virus in July 2026.

Ssenyonyi highlighted this issue during a parliamentary session, questioning the government’s strategy to address these ongoing international travel impediments. He noted that despite Uganda’s Ebola-free status, its citizens are still subject to bans and limitations in various countries.

Government Chief Whip Jane Ruth Aceng acknowledged Uganda’s Ebola-free status but pointed to the ongoing outbreak in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and porous border movements as reasons for other nations’ cautious approaches. Aceng confirmed that the government is actively engaging with foreign countries to persuade them to reconsider and lift these imposed travel bans.

The WHO officially declared the 2026 Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak over on August 27, 2026, after a period without new confirmed cases. The outbreak in Uganda resulted in 20 confirmed cases and two fatalities. However, the Ebola situation in the DRC remains a significant concern, with thousands of cases reported.

While the WHO advises against travel or trade restrictions based on current outbreak information, the continued regional epidemic fuels anxieties about cross-border transmission. Further discussions on Uganda’s Ebola response, surveillance, and prevention strategies are slated for an upcoming health conference. The government’s diplomatic efforts to resolve the travel restrictions remain ongoing, though specific countries involved have not been identified.

Source: Nile Post