Senior United States government officials have visited Entebbe International Airport to assess Uganda’s efforts to prevent the spread of Ebola and strengthen disease surveillance at the country’s busiest international gateway.
The visit underscored ongoing cooperation between the United States, Uganda’s Ministry of Health, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to improve health security at points of entry where early detection is critical to containing infectious diseases.
The U.S. delegation was led by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Disaster and Humanitarian Response Taylor Garrett and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Global Health Security Joe Scovitch. They were received by Ministry of Health Commissioner Allan Muruta, Entebbe International Airport General Manager Emmanuel Barungi and IOM Uganda Chief of Mission Sanusi Tejan.
During the tour, the delegation inspected passenger screening procedures and reviewed health infrastructure introduced to strengthen the airport’s capacity to detect and respond to potential Ebola cases. Many of the improvements have been supported through U.S. funding and implemented by IOM Uganda.
Health officials said the visit reflected the importance of sustained international partnerships in protecting public health, particularly at border entry points where travelers from different regions converge.
Uganda has remained on high alert following recent Ebola response efforts, with authorities maintaining surveillance systems designed to identify suspected cases quickly and prevent wider transmission. Officials said no new Ebola infections have been reported in the country over the past three weeks, a development they attributed to continued surveillance, rapid response measures and public health interventions.
Earlier this year, IOM handed over Ebola response equipment worth about $199,000 that was financed by the United States. The equipment included thermal scanners, screening facilities, infection prevention supplies and other medical materials intended to strengthen Uganda’s preparedness for future outbreaks.
Officials said investments in border health systems remain an essential part of the country’s disease prevention strategy, helping safeguard both travelers and surrounding communities while reinforcing Uganda’s capacity to respond to public health emergencies.
