Uganda has clarified that the woman who tested positive for Ebola virus disease in Abuja is a Nigerian national who only transited through Uganda after travelling to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, insisting that it currently has no confirmed active Ebola case.
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The clarification followed the Federal Government’s confirmation on October 20, 2026, of an Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory involving a woman who had recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda.
Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, had said the patient was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received care for several days before laboratory confirmation of the virus.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria confirms one case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following laboratory confirmation today, 20 October 2026,” Pate said.
He added that the patient had been placed in isolation and was receiving medical care, while health authorities commenced contact tracing and other containment measures.
The announcement initially drew attention to Uganda because the patient had travelled to Nigeria from the East African country.
However, Uganda’s Director-General of Health Services, Charles Olaro, subsequently clarified that the woman is Nigerian and had travelled to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo for business before passing through Uganda in early October.
According to the Ugandan authorities, the woman showed no symptoms while she was in Uganda but developed symptoms after arriving in Nigeria.
“Travel through Uganda does not establish that infection occurred here. The location of exposure remains under investigation,” the Ugandan health authorities said.
They added that the Nigerian government had yet to provide detailed information concerning the woman’s full travel itinerary and clinical history, which would assist further investigations and any necessary contact tracing.
“We wish to clarify that, as at the time of this statement, Uganda has NO confirmed active Ebola cases,” the ministry said.
Uganda said it would continue to strengthen screening and public health controls at points of entry while maintaining provisions for humanitarian and diplomatic movement.
In Nigeria, Pate urged public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to remain on high alert.
He advised healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention and control measures, and immediately report suspected cases to public health authorities.
“Investigations are ongoing, and we will continue to provide accurate and timely information,” Pate said.
Ebola is a severe viral disease transmitted primarily through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person who has developed symptoms or a person who has died from the disease.
Transmission may also occur through materials contaminated with infectious body fluids, including clothing, bedding and medical equipment.
The World Health Organisation says people infected with Ebola do not transmit the virus before symptoms develop.
The incubation period the interval between infection and the onset of symptoms ranges from two to 21 days.
Uganda’s clarification means that while the confirmed Abuja patient travelled through Uganda, the country is disputing any suggestion that she necessarily contracted the virus there, maintaining that the location of exposure has not yet been established.
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