Ebola threat forces Ugandan officials to deport over 50 Congolese nationals
Achile (R) with some security personnel after intercepting Congolese nationals in Pakwach recently
PAKWACH – Ugandan authorities last week deported a total of 53 Congolese nationals who had illegally entered the country following the closure of the Uganda-Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border due to the Ebola outbreak across the border.
The number of Congolese nationals deported by security teams and the Ebola task force in Pakwach and Nebbi districts rose from 10 to 53 by the end of last week.
This was revealed by Twaib Achile, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Pakwach.
Achile said that since the beginning of June 2026, the Ebola task force has intensified efforts to intercept and deport Congolese nationals entering Uganda illegally through porous border points, despite the official border closure aimed at controlling the spread of the Ebola virus.
He noted that most of the intercepted Congolese nationals had travelled from the districts of Arua, Koboko, Maracha, and Arua City in private vehicles after crossing into the country illegally.
“Security officers on Monday night, June 8, at around 11:00 pm intercepted five Congolese nationals. On Heroes’ Day [June 9], five more were intercepted,” Achile stated.
All 53 Congolese nationals were tested for Ebola before deportation. Those who tested negative were deported through the legally gazetted Goli Border post and handed over to Congolese authorities. Individuals showing signs of Ebola were first monitored in Ugandan health facilities before being deported.
“The Ebola task force teams of Pakwach and Nebbi agreed during a meeting to intercept any Congolese national who enters Uganda illegally,” Achile said. “After being briefed, community members have become more vigilant and now promptly inform security teams about suspected Congolese travellers in vehicles.”
He added that the operation aligns with the government’s Ebola directives and standard operating procedures issued by the Ministry of Health and the national Ebola task force, which led to the temporary closure of Uganda’s borders with the DRC.
“We do not want to waste time. We take them straight to Goli and hand them over to the Congolese authorities,” Achile explained.
“Most of those travelling are business people who claim they are going to buy goods in Kampala. Since the border was closed, we cannot allow them to proceed until it reopens. Our instruction is clear: intercept, screen, and deport. We have surveillance officers supporting this effort,” he said.
In a related incident, residents of Parombo Sub County in Nebbi District recently intercepted a Congolese woman and her young son. They isolated the pair for three days before handing them over to the security team.
Meanwhile, Arua Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Betty Otekat revealed that some Congolese nationals are attempting to bribe security officials to gain entry through Arua. She described the practice as unfortunate and vowed to crack down on it as forces continue to patrol the border with the DRC.
Security teams have also strengthened surveillance along the River Nile and Lake Albert, working in coordination with counterparts in Buliisa District to prevent illegal crossings via water transport.
The current Ebola directive permits only transit vehicles carrying goods and trucks transporting food items to cross between Uganda and the DRC. The movement of Congolese and Ugandan nationals for business or other purposes remains prohibited on both sides.