Uganda Film Festival 2026 Suspended Over Ebola Concerns

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has suspended all Uganda Film Festival (UFF) 2026 activities following guidance from the National Taskforce on Ebola Response and the Ministry of Health.

In a public notice dated May 28, 2026, the Commission said the decision affects all festival-related events, including film screenings and the Uganda Film Festival Awards Gala, which had been scheduled for Friday, June 5, 2026.

“The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) wishes to inform filmmakers, partners, audiences, and the general public that the 2026 Uganda Film Festival (UFF) has been postponed following guidance issued by the National Taskforce on Ebola Response and the Ministry of Health,” read part of the notice.

UCC added that the postponement follows a Ministry of Health circular issued on May 26, 2026, which restricted mass gatherings within the Kampala Metropolitan Area as part of ongoing efforts to contain the spread of Ebola and protect public health.

Uganda Announces Suspension of Uganda Film Festivals 2026

While acknowledging the disappointment this decision may cause to filmmakers, nominees, sponsors, exhibitors, and festival audiences, UCC argued that public health and safety remain its highest priority.

The commission noted that it is working closely with relevant government authorities and stakeholders to monitor developments and ensure a safe environment for future events.

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In addition, UCC further assured the public that new dates for the Uganda Film Festival 2026 will be communicated in due course once it is considered safe to proceed.

“UCC continues to work closely with the relevant government authorities and stakeholders, and new dates for the festival activities will be communicated in due course once it is considered safe to proceed,” UCC stated.

The commission also encouraged members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and responsible while continuing to follow guidance issued by the Ministry of Health as the country responds to the situation.

Meanwhile, for further updates and official communication regarding the festival, UCC advised stakeholders to rely on its official communication platforms.

Museveni Closes Border with Congo Over Ebola Outbreak

This comes shortly after 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.

According to numbers compiled by the WHO, in Uganda, there were seven confirmed cases, including one death from the virus.

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Dr. Diana Atwine of the Ugandan Ministry of Health said that border crossings will be authorized only in emergency cases, including for the outbreak response, cargo, or security reasons.

She added that anyone entering from Congo under emergency circumstances will be taken into mandatory isolation for 21 days.

Elsewhere, the WHO also discouraged border closures with Congo while acknowledging that neighboring countries are at high risk of contagion, declaring this outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

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A photo of doctors handling an Ebola patient. Photo/ file