Uganda has enforced a mandatory 21-day supervised quarantine for all students traveling from the Democratic Republic of Congo before they can enter local schools, according to an education directive reported by Radio Okapi on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The policy aims to prevent the spread of Ebola in educational environments amid ongoing transmission risks. Authorities require that these learners show no symptoms of Ebola and have no history of high-risk exposure.
Mandatory Quarantine Imposed on Students Arriving From DRC
Clearance Protocols and Final Medical Evaluations
Once the 21-day isolation period concludes, students must undergo a final medical evaluation. According to official guidelines, they must secure written clearance from competent health services before educational institutions are permitted to admit or readmit them. Schools that fail to obtain this documentation violate public health mandates.
Strict Limits on Daily Commuters and Border Crossings
Students who cross the border between the DRC and Uganda on a daily basis face strict limitations under the new framework. According to government documents, daily commuters cannot attend Ugandan schools while virus transmission remains active, unless health authorities issue a specific exception. To protect students from administrative penalties, the Ugandan ministry instructs schools to preserve enrollment spots for affected learners until they can safely return to classrooms. Furthermore, educational institutions must protect student privacy and prevent stigmatization. Once admitted, students are barred from returning to the DRC during the school term without special authorization.
Heightened Surveillance and Strict Public Health Enforcement
Schools across Uganda must elevate their internal health monitoring systems and immediately report any suspected cases to health authorities. According to ministry advisories, bypassing these mandated infection prevention steps constitutes a serious breach of national public health regulations designed to stop potential virus introduction.