On 11 January 2023, Uganda declared the end of Sudan Ebola virus disease (SVD) outbreak. The declaration was made after 42 days without any new case reported.

Overall, 142 confirmed SVD cases were reported from nine districts of Bunyangabu, Jinja, Kagadi, Kampala, Kassanda, Kyegegwa, Masaka, Mubende, and Wakiso. Of the confirmed cases, 55 lost their lives while 87 recovered.

As part of the post SVD outbreak response, it is recommended that a country conducts an After-Action Review (AAR) to document best practices and challenges to improve preparedness and response efforts for future outbreaks. Ministry of Health, supported by World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners convened AAR sessions at district level in Mubende, Kassanda and Kampala on 8-9 February, and at national level on 13-16 February 2023 in Kampala.

“This is a great learning experience that has given us key findings and lessons that will also support us to know where to invest more resources to fight future outbreaks,” said Hon. Margaret Muhanga, the Minister of State for Health (Primary Health Care).

Although it is not mandatory, the government of Uganda voluntarily chose to carry out the after-action review as part of the WHO-recommended International Health Regulations (IHR) Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. The IHR are an international legal instrument, adopted by the 58th World Health Assembly in 2005, to provide an overarching legal framework that defines countries’ rights and obligations in handling public health events and emergencies that have the potential to cross borders.

“Uganda has a tremendous culture and experience that the world should learn from in doing after action reviews. This is the third After Action Review of viral hemorrhagic fevers in Uganda in about five years. Another big lesson from this response is Uganda’s transparency and commitment to accountability,” Dr. Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, the WHO Country Representative said.

The review attracted technical staff, health workers, district task forces, incident commanders, community, and political leaders from SVD-affected districts. The review covered all public health response pillars including coordination, surveillance, laboratory, case management, infection prevention and control, vaccination, risk communication, and community engagement.