A safe return home: Tackling stigma on Uganda's Ebola frontline

July 4, 2026 - 19:18

As Uganda battles an Ebola outbreak that has also spread into neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo, health workers are taking on a role that goes far beyond treating a deadly virus. They are helping families navigate deep-seated fear, widespread misinformation, and the heavy stigma that follows survivors back into their communities.

The outbreak has killed dozens, but the social wounds are proving just as hard to heal. Many survivors face rejection from their own neighbours and relatives, who worry they might still be contagious long after they have been cleared by medical tests. Health teams are now running community dialogues in affected districts, explaining how the virus spreads and why recovered patients pose no threat. "People are afraid to touch a survivor or even share a meal with them," one local nurse told reporters. "We have to rebuild trust one conversation at a time."

The stigma is especially harsh for frontline workers themselves. Some have been barred from public transport or shunned by their own landlords. In response, the government has launched public awareness campaigns that feature survivors speaking openly about their experience. Officials hope these personal stories will break the silence and show that recovery is possible.

For now, the work is slow and emotionally draining. But health workers say that helping a family welcome a survivor home without fear is as important as any medicine. Until the stigma fades, they argue, the outbreak will not truly be over.