Recent DR Congo trips now trigger 21-day quarantine for returning Ugandans

Uganda will place returning citizens who have travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) in quarantine for 21 days, Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi said on Sunday 25 October 2026. The measure is part of tighter Ebola precautions, even as the country says it remains Ebola-free.

Key facts

• Measure announced: 21-day quarantine for Ugandan citizens returning with travel history to DR Congo
• Announced by: Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi, on Sunday 25 October 2026
• Entry requirement: all travellers entering Uganda by air, land or water must complete the passenger locator form
• Screening points: Entebbe International Airport and all land border crossings
• Context: Uganda borders Congo, where the outbreak began, and says it remains Ebola-free

What is changing?

Ugandan citizens arriving back in the country who have a history of travel to DR Congo will be quarantined for 21 days. At the same time, Baryomunsi said the health ministry has intensified traveller screening at Entebbe International Airport and at every land border crossing.

Every traveller planning to enter Uganda — whether by air, land or water — must complete the passenger locator form.

Who is affected?

The quarantine requirement, as announced, covers Ugandan citizens returning with DR Congo travel history. The screening and passenger locator form requirement applies to all travellers intending to enter Uganda by air, land or water. The source does not say whether the quarantine rule extends to non-citizens, or how or where the quarantine is carried out.

What else is happening?

Uganda is investigating a Nigerian Ebola case involving a woman who had travelled from Uganda. Officials say they are reviewing genomic sequencing, travel information, interactions and movements in coordination with Nigerian authorities and international partners.

Baryomunsi also said that all 60 contacts linked to a Kenyan Ebola case had completed their 21-day monitoring period and been discharged. Those contacts were traced across points of entry and exit, hotels and transport operators linked to travellers' movements through Uganda.

Genomic analysis of Nigeria's only confirmed Ebola case showed the virus was closely related to the strain detected in Kenya's index case, though Nigerian authorities said there was no evidence that the Kenya case travelled to Nigeria or had a direct connection.

What this means for travellers

All travellers entering Uganda by air, land or water should plan to complete the passenger locator form, and can expect screening at Entebbe International Airport and land border crossings. Ugandan citizens with recent travel to DR Congo should factor a 21-day quarantine into their plans.

No start date or end date for the quarantine measure has been given. Uganda borders Congo, where the outbreak began, and has previously battled Ebola outbreaks.