Football fans hoping to gather in bars, entertainment spots and public viewing centres to watch the UEFA Champions League final involving Arsenal and PSG will have to stay away from crowded screenings after the Ministry of Health suspended mass gatherings in Kampala Metropolitan Area and several high-risk districts due to the ongoing Ebola Virus Disease outbreak.
In a new circular issued by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwine, government announced immediate restrictions on entertainment events and other public gatherings considered high-risk for Ebola transmission.
The directive follows resolutions of the National Task Force meeting held on May 21, 2026, chaired by Vice President Jessica Alupo, amid growing concerns over increased population movement and crowded public interactions during the Ebola outbreak.
Under the new measures, music concerts, entertainment shows, cultural festivals, political rallies, marathons, community celebrations and other non-essential public recreational events have been suspended until further notice.
The restrictions are expected to directly affect planned public screenings of the UEFA Champions League final, where Arsenal fans across Kampala and other urban centres had anticipated gathering in large numbers to watch the historic match.
According to the Ministry of Health, such gatherings increase the risk of Ebola transmission because they involve uncontrolled crowd mixing, prolonged physical interaction and close body contact.
“Any other non-essential gathering where effective Infection Prevention and Control measures cannot be guaranteed” has also been prohibited under the circular.
However, the ministry clarified that structured official and institutional meetings may continue provided organizers strictly enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aimed at preventing Ebola transmission.
The guidelines require organizers to ensure controlled attendance, proper ventilation, regular disinfection of venues, availability of handwashing facilities and mandatory temperature screening for all participants.
Physical greetings such as handshakes and hugging have also been discouraged, while participants are advised not to share personal items like phones, pens, utensils and drinking containers.
The ministry further instructed all Ugandans attending permitted gatherings to remain vigilant and immediately report symptoms associated with Ebola, including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness and unexplained bleeding.
District local governments, Resident District Commissioners and District Health Teams have been directed to supervise implementation of the measures and take corrective action against violators.
The restrictions apply to Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, Mpigi and several other districts considered high-risk due to population movement and border activities.
Security agencies have also been tasked to strictly enforce the directives, with government warning that individuals or institutions violating the measures will face action under the National Public Health Act and related regulations.
The Ministry of Health says the measures are temporary and intended to safeguard public health while efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak continue.
