The United States is expanding its Ebola containment strategy in Africa, with Uganda emerging as a key partner in discussions to establish a regional treatment and quarantine facility for American citizens amid a worsening outbreak in Central Africa.
According to Ugandan health officials, Washington has initiated talks with Kampala on the possibility of hosting an Ebola treatment hub for exposed or infected Americans on African soil, a move that signals a significant shift in how the U.S. manages infectious disease response abroad.
The disclosure was made by Diana Atwine, Uganda’s Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, during a BBC interview, confirming that Uganda is open to supporting the initiative. She said the country has both the medical expertise and infrastructure necessary to manage Ebola cases, given its long history of responding to repeated outbreaks.
Uganda has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks over the years and has developed specialised isolation units, surveillance systems and trained health personnel to contain the disease. Officials say this experience positions the country as a potential regional base for international response efforts.
The discussions place Uganda among a growing list of African countries being considered for similar arrangements, including Kenya, where parallel talks are reportedly underway for the establishment of Ebola treatment and quarantine centres for U.S. citizens.
The plan forms part of a broader American strategy aimed at containing the spread of Ebola within Africa while preventing imported cases into the United States. The approach contrasts with previous outbreaks, such as the 2014 West Africa epidemic, when infected American citizens were often evacuated to specialised bio containment facilities in the U.S. for treatment.
This time, U.S. authorities appear to favour regional containment infrastructure. “We cannot and will not allow any cases of Ebola to enter the United States,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly said during a cabinet briefing, underscoring the shift in policy direction.
Health officials in Uganda have emphasised that Ebola is a global threat requiring coordinated international action. Atwine noted that “no one is safe until everyone is safe,” adding that outbreaks originating in Africa must primarily be addressed within the continent through strengthened local capacity and international cooperation.
Uganda’s Ministry of Health has also highlighted its existing partnerships with global health organisations, which have supported the country in building laboratories, treatment centres and emergency response systems over time. These collaborations have been central to Uganda’s ability to respond rapidly to previous Ebola outbreaks.
The current outbreak, which has been linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain, has raised alarm among global health authorities due to its spread across parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The World Health Organization has classified the situation as a public health emergency of international concern, citing its potential for cross border transmission.
Uganda has already confirmed multiple Ebola cases, including infections among healthcare workers in Kampala, prompting intensified surveillance and containment measures. Health authorities across the region have increased screening at borders, isolation protocols and contact tracing efforts to slow the spread.
The United States has also introduced temporary travel restrictions for individuals coming from affected countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, alongside increased airport screening measures and deployment of additional health personnel.
While the proposed treatment hubs aim to provide care for American citizens in Africa, some health experts have expressed concern that such a strategy could shift focus away from strengthening local health systems in affected communities. Critics argue that resources might be better invested directly in regional outbreak containment rather than offshore facilities dedicated to foreign nationals.
Others, however, view the initiative as a pragmatic response to the risks posed by Ebola, particularly for foreign personnel working in high risk areas. Supporters say regional treatment centres could reduce evacuation delays and improve emergency response times.
The Ebola outbreak continues to pose significant challenges for health systems in East and Central Africa, where limited resources and densely populated urban centres increase the risk of transmission. International coordination remains critical as governments and health agencies work to contain the spread.
As discussions continue between Washington and Kampala, the outcome could reshape how global powers respond to infectious disease outbreaks in Africa, with implications for public health policy, international cooperation and emergency preparedness.
