KANUNGU – The Kanungu District Task Force on Ebola has moved to implement announced border control measures along the border with the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following an escalation in Ebola cases there.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Following a meeting of the National Task Force on Ebola Response, chaired by H.E. the Vice President of Uganda, the committee agreed to announce the temporary closure of all Uganda–DRC borders.
The decision was prompted by the continued escalation of the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and the challenges associated with cross-border movements between the DRC and Uganda, which have led to a higher risk of the virus spreading into Uganda.
After the announcement, the Kanungu District Task Force (DTF) and the district security committee held an emergency session to issue security directives aimed at immediately tightening border control with the troubled DRC.
The meeting, held on Friday, May 28, 2026, and chaired by Àmbrose Mwesigye Àmanyire, RDC of Kanungu, announced development control measures alongside a sweeping ban on public gatherings, following a critical security evaluation of the current Ebola virus threat.
Kanungu remains on high alert against Ebola, implementing strict surveillance and rapid-response protocols across all high-risk frontier zones.
The district bearing major responsibility for blocking cross-border transmission, its leadership issued new enforcement resolutions after an emergency security meeting revealed gaps in border safety.
Key directives issued include the closure of all border points to general traffic, allowing only cargo vehicles, registered refugees, and security personnel to cross, and only under strict health screening.
The meeting resolved that weekly markets, bars, and discos be ordered shut, while daily markets must enforce handwashing and screening under security monitoring.
Burial ceremonies are now mandated to follow protocols under health supervision. Monitoring of public transport will be increased, and unauthorized gatherings will require thermal guns and handwashing facilities at all institutions.
On the Uganda–DRC border via Kanungu, the main official crossing point is Ishasha, which includes the main customs post at the Ishasha River and connects to Ishasha town in the DRC, located 1.3 km across the river at the end of the Rukungiri–Kihihi–Ishasha–Kanungu Road.
The district also has the Kyeshero border point, which is formally listed alongside Ishasha as one of the main official entry and exit routes for Kanungu.
According to Health Ministry reports, Uganda had seven confirmed Ebola cases and one death as of May 25, 2026, related to the 2026 Bundibugyo virus outbreak with no new confirmed Ebola cases have been recorded since then.
About the Author
