Ebola Outbreak 2026: Africa's Fight for Health Sovereignty

Passengers arriving at the Bunagana border crossing between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are subjected to Ebola screening. It is a stark reminder of the realities we face, where borders drawn by European colonizers continue to dictate the movement and vulnerability of Black bodies. On 17 May 2026, the World Health Organisation declared a public health emergency of international concern following an outbreak of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the DRC and Uganda.

Yet, the WHO was quick to add that the outbreak does