Education Ministry Dismisses Claims of School Closures Over Ebola

By Skika Reporter.

The Ministry of Education and Sports has dismissed widespread reports claiming that schools across Uganda have been closed or suspended due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak, describing the information as false and misleading.

The rumours, which have circulated extensively on social media platforms and through community discussions in recent days, have sparked anxiety among parents, learners, and school administrators ahead of the second school term.

Several social media users have been accused of spreading unverified information suggesting that the government had ordered the closure of schools in response to Ebola cases. One X (formerly Twitter) account with more than 23,000 followers claimed that schools had been suspended because of the outbreak, attracting significant public attention and thousands of views.

Other posts and videos shared on platforms such as TikTok alleged that both schools and public gatherings had been shut down following reports of Ebola infections. Some of the content included recycled footage from previous government announcements made during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as past public addresses by education officials, which were presented out of context to support false claims.

One widely circulated video falsely alleged that five confirmed Ebola cases had been detected in schools, further fueling public concern.

The misinformation has extended beyond social media, spreading through marketplaces and communities across the country. On Monday, traders at Kalerwe Market in Kampala were heard discussing reports of an impending closure of schools, with some comparing the situation to the nationwide lockdown measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Others speculated that any restrictions would be limited to schools located in border districts, while many cited viral social media messages claiming that educational institutions would be closed for one month beginning this week.

However, the Ministry of Education and Sports has categorically denied the reports and urged the public to disregard unofficial information.

Speaking to Uganda Radio Network, Ministry spokesperson Dr. Dennis Mugimba emphasized that all schools remain open and that teaching and learning activities are continuing normally across the country.

“Please ignore videos and social media messages speculating about the closure of educational institutions. Only trust information from authorised government sources as you continue with normal learning routines safely,” Mugimba said.

The clarification comes as Uganda continues to monitor and respond to an Ebola outbreak linked to cross-border transmission from the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the Ministry of Health, the country had recorded nine confirmed Ebola cases and one death as of May 31, 2026.

In preparation for the reopening of schools for the second term, the Ministries of Health and Education jointly issued standard operating procedures aimed at preventing the spread of the disease within educational institutions.

The guidelines require schools to maintain regular handwashing facilities, conduct temperature screening, establish isolation spaces for suspected cases, and monitor learners and staff for symptoms associated with Ebola.

Schools reopened as scheduled last week and continue to operate under the prescribed health measures. Although some institutions initially encountered challenges in implementing all the requirements, government authorities granted a short compliance period to allow schools to fully align with the guidelines.

Officials have urged the public to remain vigilant against misinformation and to rely on official communication channels for updates regarding both the education sector and the country’s Ebola response.

The Ministry reiterated that there has been no directive ordering the closure of schools and that learning activities should continue uninterrupted while observing all recommended health and safety protocols.