Government through the Uganda Tourism Board has reassured tourists and international travel partners that the country remains safe for travel despite a recent rise in Ebola cases linked to cross-border movement from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).The assurance comes as Uganda's confirmed Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases rose to 15 by June 2, with health officials reporting that the majority of infections involve Congolese nationals who entered the country seeking treatment.In a statement issued on, the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) said all tourism establishments across the country remain fully operational and that the government has strengthened surveillance and response measures to prevent further transmission of the disease."The Uganda Tourism Board wishes to reassure travellers, tourism partners, investors and the international community that Uganda remains safe for travel," UTB chief executive officer Juliana Kagwa said.UTB authorities insisted there is no reason for travellers to cancel planned visits, arguing that the outbreak remains under control and that the country's tourism destinations continue to be safe and accessible."We would like to reiterate that all tourism establishments remain fully operational and safe for visitors," Kagwa said.According to the Ministry of Health, 12 Ebola patients of the 15 total cases remain under treatment, while three others are expected to be discharged after testing negative for the virus. Of the confirmed cases, 10 are Congolese nationals who crossed into Uganda for medical care, while the remainder are close contacts, including health workers.The health ministry clarified only five Ugandans have contracted the disease so far, all of them frontline health workers involved in caring for patients.The ministry also announced that 125 individuals who had been identified as Ebola contacts are set to complete the mandatory 21-day monitoring period this week without developing symptoms, a development authorities say signals that containment efforts are beginning to produce results."The large number of contacts completing monitoring without becoming ill demonstrates that our containment measures are working," health officials said.Uganda has intensified screening, contact tracing and monitoring activities while implementing additional safeguards along its western border with the DRC.
Authorities have also temporarily closed the Uganda-DRC border to limit further importation of cases.The current outbreak has largely been driven by cross-border transmission rather than widespread community spread within Uganda, a factor officials say should reassure both residents and visitors.Tourism stakeholders have historically expressed concern that Ebola outbreaks in the region can trigger travel cancellations and damage visitor confidence, even when transmission remains localised and under control. Uganda's tourism industry is one of the country's leading foreign exchange earners, attracting visitors to its national parks, mountain gorillas, wildlife reserves and cultural attractions.UTB emphasised that tourism facilities continue to operate normally and that visitors are being encouraged to observe standard public health measures such as regular handwashing, use of hand sanitisers, and adherence to guidance issued by health authorities.Health experts note that Uganda has developed considerable experience in responding to Ebola outbreaks over the years and has built surveillance and emergency response systems that are among the strongest in the region.The government says these systems remain fully activated and that health teams continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent further spread.