Uganda is imposing 21 days of quarantine on its citizens returning with a history of travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Returnees must cover the cost. The measure was announced on 25 October as authorities strengthened Ebola precautions.
Screening has been intensified at Entebbe International Airport and land borders. Arrivals by air, land or water must complete a passenger locator form so health authorities can contact them if needed.
The decision follows infections in Kenya and Nigeria involving people who passed through Uganda. Investigations continue into where exposure occurred and whether cases are linked. Genetic similarity alone does not establish direct contact between two patients.
Ugandan authorities said 60 contacts linked to the Kenyan case had completed 21 days of monitoring without symptoms. That finding concerns the particular group followed and does not remove the need for border surveillance while transmission continues in the neighbouring country.
The 21-day period reflects Ebola’s usual maximum incubation period. Quarantine monitors people who may have been exposed, whereas isolation separates people who are ill or suspected cases for medical assessment.
Travellers should check entry conditions immediately before departure. These are specific Ugandan measures, rather than an automatically identical regime across the region.
