Uganda closes its border with DR Congo, where suspected cases of rare Ebola type are surging

KAMPALA, Uganda 

Uganda on Wednesday ordered the closure of its border with Congo, where suspected cases of a rare type of Ebola are surging, and as cases have been confirmed at home after Ugandan health workers were exposed to the disease from Congolese patients.

The measure, which goes against the guidance by the World Health Organization, underscores growing fears of contagion in East Africa from Bundibugyo, a rare type of the Ebola virus that is behind this outbreak and that has no approved medicines or vaccines.

Like Congo, Uganda has faced Ebola outbreaks in the past. 

A local Ugandan task force made the decision on the border closure. The Ugandan health workers were exposed to the virus by Congolese patients who had crossed the border before the outbreak was declared in eastern Congo on May 15.

The border closure was temporary, with "immediate effect," Dr. Diana Atwine of the Ugandan Ministry of Health, told journalists. 

Border crossings will be authorized only in emergency cases, including for the outbreak response, humanitarian, cargo or security reasons, she added.

Anyone entering from Congo under emergency circumstances will be taken into mandatory isolation for 21 days.

Tracing and isolating Ebola contacts is seen as key to stopping the spread of the disease, which usually manifests as hemorrhagic fever. The virus is spread through close contact with sick or deceased patients' bodily fluids. Experts say healthcare workers and family members caring for patients face the highest risk.

The number of suspected cases in eastern Congo is nearing 1,000, with at least 220 suspected deaths. Congo's health ministry on Tuesday said 101 cases have been confirmed, and they are looking into over 3,000 possible contacts.

On Wednesday, Congolese authorities said that the first person who recovered from the Bundibugyo virus has been released home from a treatment center in Rwampara, one of the towns in eastern Congo at the heart of the outbreak.

WHO has discouraged border closures with Congo while acknowledging that neighboring countries are at high risk of contagion. The U.N. health agency has declared this outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

Closures "push the movement of people and goods to informal border crossings that are not monitored, thus increasing the chances of the spread of disease," the agency said.

The Uganda-Congo border is several hundred miles long and crossed by numerous footpaths beyond formal border posts. Many people come and go in the course of a day to visit families or to trade.

Congolese health authorities are struggling to contain the outbreak, which WHO says is outpacing them. 

The rare type of Ebola was confirmed weeks late as tests were carried out for a more common type. Challenges also include the threat from armed groups in eastern Congo, a large number of displaced people and poor infrastructure.

WHO's Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on Wednesday for a ceasefire in eastern Congo to allow safe access for responders and others, saying on social media that "attacks on health facilities make tracking cases and their contacts nearly impossible."

Responders in Congo have said they are underprepared and under-protected for this outbreak, while conflict-traumatized residents, long wary of outsiders, have attacked a number of clinics and hurled stones and abuse at volunteers trying to make people aware of the virus and its risks.

Infected people or those have been in contact should not undertake international travel unless it's a medical evacuation, WHO has said. On Wednesday, the Trump administration said it is planning to send Americans who are exposed to Ebola to a new facility in Kenya instead of flying them to the United States.

Uganda has reported seven cases of Ebola, including the first case of a 59-year-old man who died in Kampala, the country's capital, on May 14. 

While the Ebola case load is not spiking, the number of locals exposed to infection via health workers has been rising.

"They have families, and so the number has been increasing," Atwine, the Ugandan health official, said of the health workers.

At least 16 students killed in overnight fire at Kenyan boarding school

GILGIL, Kenya 

At least 16 students have died in a fire at a boarding school in the Kenyan town of Gilgil, authorities confirmed on Thursday. At least 79 others were injured in the overnight blaze at the Utumishi Girls School in central Kenya.

The cause of the fire hasn't yet been established. Police say they’re investigating whether safety regulations were followed.

The fire started in the early hours of the morning in a dormitory building housing more than 200 students.

The government-owned secondary school is managed and sponsored by the Kenya Police Service. Many of the students are daughters of police officers.

School fires are common in Kenyan boarding schools, with some caused by arson and others by electrical faults. Overcrowding and a failure to follow safety guidelines, including keeping doors clear and windows unlocked, often result in a high number of casualties.

Kenya's deadliest school fire in recent history occurred in 2001 when 67 students died in a dormitory fire in Machakos County.

In 2024, 21 students burned to death in a school fire in central Kenya. President William Ruto declared three days of mourning.

In 2017, 10 students died in a school fire in Nairobi. A student was charged with murder.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 28/5/2026

 

Ghana begins repatriation of citizens from South Africa amid tensions

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa 

The first group of around 300 Ghanaian nationals departed from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday as Ghana began a voluntary repatriation programme for citizens wanting to leave South Africa amid growing anti-immigrant tensions.

Another group was expected to leave on Sunday.

Families and travelers gathered at the airport with luggage trolleys and suitcases as officials and police coordinated the departure process.

“I think in this case, it's less about Ghana trying to protect its citizens per se, or these 300. They could probably move elsewhere in the country or get assistance within South Africa. This is a symbolic move to try to send a message to their sort of bigger counterpart, South Africa, that this is politically unacceptable," said Professor Loren Landau, University of Witwatersrand Professor for African Centre for Migration & Society.

Some of those repatriated had been held at the Lindela Repatriation Centre for immigration-related matters.

More than 800 Ghanaians registered with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria for evacuation following weeks of protests and rising fears among foreign nationals.

Ghanaian authorities said the repatriation effort was being carried out in coordination with South African officials after concerns over the safety and well-being of migrants.

The repatriation follows renewed demonstrations over illegal immigration in parts of South Africa, where frustrations over unemployment, crime and access to services have fuelled tensions around undocumented migration.

South African authorities have condemned violence against foreign nationals while acknowledging concerns over illegal immigration.

Uganda president drops 28 ministers in new Cabinet

By Our Correspondent, KAMPALA Uganda

In a major executive overhaul marking the commencement of Uganda’s new 2026–2031 political term, President Yoweri Museveni has dropped a total of 28 ministers from his Cabinet.

The sweeping changes, announced via an official statement issued under Articles 108 and related provisions of the 1995 Constitution, signals a forceful executive reset as Uganda’s 12th Parliament begins its legislative cycle.

While key long-standing pillars like Vice President Jessica Alupo and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja were retained, the reshuffle introduces dramatic structural changes across several vital ministries.

The extensive restructuring has caught several veteran heavyweights in its crosshairs, shaking up positions that have remained unchanged for years.

The most notable exits include the long-serving Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, Foreign Affairs Minister Gen. (Rtd) Jeje Odongo, and Gender Minister Betty Amongi.

In an equally historic shift, Second Deputy Prime Minister Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali, who has served continuously as a minister since the regime of former President Idi Amin, was also dropped from the executive lineup.

The wave of dismissals extended deeply into other critical sectors, claiming Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa, Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua, Public Service Minister Muruuli Mukasa, and Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi.

The security and law enforcement sectors saw changes as well, with Internal Affairs State Minister Gen. David Muhoozi being relieved of his duties.

Furthermore, Defence Minister Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth was replaced following his election as the Speaker of Parliament.

According to the full executive brief, the remaining casualties of the purge spanned a wide range of senior portfolios and state ministries, including Peter Lokeris who served as the Karamoja Affairs Minister.

Also removed from their posts were Francis Mwebesa (Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives) and Sam Cheptoris (Water and Environment). The regional and state-level ministries faced an equally heavy clearing, with the removal of Dr Kenneth Omona (State for Northern Uganda), Florence Nambozo (State for Karamoja), Jenipher Namuyangu (State for Bunyoro Affairs), Fred Bwiino Kyagulaga (State for Agriculture), and Hellen Adoa (State for Fisheries).

The education and investment sectors were not spared either, as Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu (State for Primary Education) and Evelyne Anite (State for Privatisation and Investment) were both dropped.

They were joined by John Mulimba (State for Regional Affairs), Peace Mutuuzo (State for Gender and Culture), Hellen Asamo (State for Disability Affairs), Gidudu Mafabi (State for Elderly Affairs), and Godfrey Kabbyanga (State for National Guidance).

Rounding out the final list of 28 dropped ministers were Obiga Kania (State for Urban Development), Martin Mugarra (State for Tourism and Antiquities), Fredrick Gume (State for Cooperatives), and Musa Ecweru (State for Works).

Dozens killed in Lebanon as Israel intensifies strikes

By Samantha Granville, BEKAA VALLEY Lebanon 

Dozens of people have been killed in an intensive wave of Israeli strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to step up military action against Hezbollah.

At least 31 people were killed in the latest attacks, including several children, Lebanon's health ministry said.

The Israeli military said it hit more than 100 Hezbollah infrastructure sites and fighters in what was one of the heaviest nights of bombardment since a US-brokered ceasefire began in mid-April.

It came after Netanyahu this week said he had given instructions to "press the pedal even harder" in targeting Hezbollah.

Early on Wednesday, sirens sounded in northern Israel early on after a projectile was launched from Lebanon into Israel, the Israeli military said in a statement.

It added the projectile fell into an open area and no injuries were reported.

Speaking at a security cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Netanyahu said Israel was "deepening our operation in Lebanon".

"The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] is operating with large forces on the ground and seizing dominant terrain," he said, adding that they were "fortifying the security zone" to protect communities in northern Israel from Hezbollah attacks.

The ceasefire has been repeatedly violated by both sides, threatening to derail the complex ongoing talks to end the war between the US, Israel and Iran.

Israeli air and artillery strikes have continued daily, especially in the south of Lebanon, while Hezbollah has been launching rockets and drones at communities in northern Israel and Israeli troops occupying parts of southern Lebanon.

Air strikes targeted the Bekaa Valley village of Mashghara and Burj al-Shamali across southern Lebanon, local media said.

Some strikes hit near Beaufort Castle, state media reported, a nearly 900-year-old fortress recognised by the UN's heritage body UNESCO for being "one of the best-preserved examples of medieval castles" in the region.

In Monday's video statement, Netanyahu said that Israel was going to increase the number and intensity of its strikes targeting Hezbollah in response to the Iran-backed Shia Muslim group's attacks, including those involving fibre-optic drones that can evade Israeli defences.

"We will deal them a crushing blow," he vowed.

The announcement prompted scenes of panic in Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, where residents were seen fleeing the area following the remarks. Thousands of cars lined the streets with families trying to escape for safety.

Though the strikes spared the capital, Israeli warplanes carried out wave after wave of strikes across Lebanon throughout the evening and into the early hours of Tuesday. 

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 27/5/2026

 

Ousmane Sonko elected Senegal's national assembly president

By Our Correspondent, DAKAR Senegal 

Senegal's National Assembly elected ousted prime minister Ousmane Sonko its speaker Tuesday in a vote boycotted by the opposition, following months of tension that culminated in the firebrand's sacking.

Sonko's rise to the top of parliament comes four days after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye fired him and with opposition lawmakers deeming his reinstatement to the National Assembly "illegal".

Sonko remains the undisputed leader of Pastef, the party which controls 130 of the 165 seats in Senegal's only legislative body.

He received a long ovation after getting 132 votes, with no member voting against him and one abstaining, according to the session's presiding member Ismael Diallo. Sonko was the sole candidate for the position.

He replaces El Malick Ndiaye, a loyal supporter who resigned Sunday, paving the way for the ex-prime minister's rise.

The parliamentary session began shortly after 9:00 am (local and GMT), with Sonko in attendance.

Aissata Tall Sall, who heads the main opposition, denounced an "institutional coup" which she said Monday was prepared under "pressure that the majority wants to impose."

Sall said she believed Sonko, in order to become a lawmaker again, should first have resigned as prime minister to sit even temporarily in parliament before returning to government.

Faye appointed Sonko prime minister in April 2024 after winning the presidential election the previous month.

Faye essentially owes his position to Sonko, his one-time mentor who would almost certainly have taken the top job had he not been barred from the presidential election due to a defamation conviction.

Faye faces the difficult task of governing and implementing reforms in a country troubled by serious economic difficulties.

On Monday, he named senior economist Ahmadou Al Aminou Mohamed Lo as prime minister, saying the new appointee had the expertise to steer Senegal out of crippling debt.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 26/5/2026