In Uganda, there are several special wildlife safaris to choose from; for example, tracking the rare mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and viewing the Big Four of the Big five in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Nevertheless, by mid-2026, there has been an outbreak of Ebola disease in Uganda, which makes many tourists quite apprehensive. If you planned to travel to Uganda, then you could have some questions about your travel plans. Is it safe to travel? What restrictions are in place? Will you need an Ebola-free certificate? This document contains the most updated information to aid you in making a sound decision regarding travel to Uganda.
What is the Situation Now?
This epidemic concerns the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus that has been isolated mainly in the rural regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and in Uganda. On June 18, 2026, 19 cases of Ebola and two deaths have been confirmed in Uganda, with no new infections in the last ten days.
WHO made the declaration that there is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17, 2026 in regard to the case situation in DRC and Uganda. There have been many cases in DRC than in Uganda, and the cases in DRC have mostly been in Ituri Province, which shares its borders with western Uganda.
Ministry of Health of Uganda has been very open throughout the process, using effective health surveillance systems to isolate and treat the patients. It should be noted that health authorities have stressed that the Ebola virus is not airborne and it can only be spread by direct contact with the body fluids of a person who has contracted the infection.
What Travel Advisories Are in Place?
Uganda has received travel warnings from several different governments:
U.S. Department of State recommends that Uganda has a Level 4, “Do not travel” warning because of crime, health concerns including Ebola, terrorism, and insecurity.
Smartraveller from the Government of Australia states that it is recommended to reconsider the need to travel due to Ebola.
The U.S. Embassy in Uganda is strictly limiting official government employee travel to western Uganda and discourages personal travel to that region.
It is important to understand that these advisories reflect official caution rather than a blanket closure. Many international airlines continue to operate flights to Entebbe International Airport. The Ministry of Health has specifically reassured airlines that robust measures are in place to prevent the importation and exportation of Ebola.
Do You Need an Ebola-Free Certificate to Travel?
The short answer is no. According to Uganda’s Ministry of Health, travelers leaving Uganda do not need Ebola-free certificates, and such certificates are not required for visa applications to any destination. Health officials have warned the public to avoid fraudsters claiming to provide Ebola testing or certificates to facilitate travel.
Ebola testing is recommended only for individuals who develop symptoms consistent with the disease or those identified as contacts of confirmed Ebola cases. For healthy travelers without symptoms or known exposure, no testing is required to depart Uganda or to apply for a visa.
Nonetheless, tourists should note that there may be entry restrictions, screening, and quarantine for those coming from Uganda. For example, the United States has set up enhanced screening measures and has diverted flights coming from Uganda, DRC, and South Sudan to certain airports, which include Washington Dulles (IAD), Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson (ATL), George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), or John F. Kennedy International (JFK). It is crucial to contact your airline and find out the entry requirements of the country you wish to visit.
What Are the Restrictions within Uganda?
The government of Uganda has implemented the following restrictions due to the epidemic:
The Ugandan government has temporarily sealed off its borders from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), except for Ebola task force personnel, humanitarian activities, food and cargo transport, and security with strict health screenings.
Anyone who arrives in Uganda through the DRC must go into a supervised quarantine of 21 days as per the directives of the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry of Health has put travel restrictions in effect within Kampala and high-risk areas near the border of DRC.
If you are planning to go on a safari in western Uganda near the border of DRC, then you must contact your safari company for more information. The U.S. Embassy has discouraged its employees from personal travel to western Uganda, and a similar caution is recommended for all travelers.
Are Your Gorilla Trekking Plans Affected?
Gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a primary reason many travelers visit Uganda. Currently, gorilla trekking permits are still being issued, and treks are operating. But there are also several factors to note:
The American government recommends against any gorilla trekking trips that will pass through the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, because of the danger of attacks by militia and the Ebola virus epidemic.
There is the possibility that tour companies operating near the DRC border are changing their schedules in order not to allow their clients to go outside Ugandan territory.
It is expected that the health check-ups at park entrances will be increased.
Before booking or confirming your gorilla trekking trip, you should contact your tour company for more information.
How to Protect Yourself?
- Should you choose to visit Uganda, the CDC advises the following measures:
- Do not have any contact with blood and body fluids of sick individuals.
- Do not handle the body of a dead individual suspected of having Ebola.
- Do not have contact with bats, nonhuman primates, and bushmeat.
- Do not enter areas where there is evidence that bats reside, such as mines and caves.
- Do not visit any healthcare institutions for routine matters.
- For twenty-one days following a trip to the affected region, pay attention to your general well-being.
- Do not stop taking drugs to prevent malaria because symptoms of malaria are similar to those of Ebola.
- You should have insurance coverage for medical evacuations since there are only a few medical facilities outside of Kampala in Uganda.
Conclusion; The current Ebola epidemic in Uganda is a major health occurrence, but it is being controlled by the health authorities of Uganda. For healthy travelers who take normal precautions, there is low transmission risk. The U.S. CDC has stated that the overall risk to the general public remains low. Before booking any travel to Uganda, consult the latest advice from your government’s foreign affairs department, check with your airline about flight status and re-routing, and speak directly with your safari operator about ground conditions. Traveling is a private matter that depends solely on one’s risk tolerance, state of health, and needs for travel.
In case you choose to travel there, be sure to increase your hygiene measures, be aware of what is going on in the place you visit and how to control your health condition and evacuation. The Ugandan wildlife is wonderful, but information is the key.
