Uganda Airlines Suspends Kinshasa Flights Over Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo

Uganda Airlines has suspended all flights to and from Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo following growing concerns over the ongoing Ebola outbreak that has claimed more than 170 lives in the country.

In a statement released on Saturday, May 23, 2026, the airline announced that the decision takes immediate effect as part of measures aimed at protecting passengers, employees, and the general public from the spread of the deadly virus. The airline explained that the temporary suspension was taken after health authorities raised concerns over the increasing number of Ebola infections in the region.

The outbreak was first reported earlier this month in Ituri Province in eastern DR Congo, where health officials confirmed new Ebola cases linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. The disease later spread across borders into Uganda after a traveler arriving from DR Congo tested positive for the virus, increasing fears of wider regional transmission.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suspected Ebola infections in DR Congo have surpassed 750 cases, while the number of suspected deaths linked to the outbreak has exceeded 170. Health authorities continue to monitor contacts and strengthen surveillance systems in affected areas as efforts intensify to contain the virus.

The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola is not new to East and Central Africa. It was first identified in Uganda between 2007 and 2008, infecting 149 people and killing 37. In 2012, the same strain appeared in the Isiro region of DR Congo, where 57 infections and 29 deaths were recorded, according to WHO historical outbreak data.

The WHO has warned that the re-emergence of Ebola in both DR Congo and Uganda represents a serious international public health concern. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries and international organizations to strengthen cooperation and provide resources to support outbreak response efforts.

Health experts say airlines and transport operators across the region are likely to increase health screening measures as authorities work to prevent further spread of the disease. Uganda Airlines has not yet announced when flights to Kinshasa will resume, stating that operations will depend on guidance from health authorities and developments in the outbreak situation.