Museveni Launches 10th Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo, Urges Calm Amid Ebola Fears
Munyonyo, Kampala — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni officially launched the 10th Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) at the Speke Resort Hotel on May 21, 2026. In his address, the President projected confidence in Uganda’s stability while directly addressing public anxieties regarding a recent Ebola outbreak.
“Regarding Ebola, there is no cause for alarm,” President Museveni declared, outlining a dual strategy that prioritizes safeguarding public health while keeping the nation’s borders and economy open.
Speaking at the expo, the President highlighted Uganda’s “favourable climate, rich culture, peace, and natural beauty” as primary drivers for the sector. He also signaled upcoming policy shifts designed to boost visitor numbers. “As our economy grows towards upper-middle-income status, we shall also improve the tourism experience, including friendlier visa arrangements to attract more visitors,” he stated.
Balancing Health Security and Open Borders
The President’s reassurance comes at a critical juncture. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak, centered in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 15, 2026. Uganda has since reported cases linked to cross-border movement from the DRC.
During his address, Museveni criticized international media outlets for what he termed exaggerated and “ignorant” reporting. “I was watching CNN spreading fear through ignorance. Ebola is much easier to control than Covid,” he said, drawing a sharp distinction between the two viruses. He explained that while Covid-19 spreads through the air, Ebola requires direct contact with bodily fluids from a symptomatic person.
“Therefore, Ebola is nothing compared to Corona. It spreads by intimate contact,” Museveni stressed. He noted that infected individuals are not contagious until symptoms appear, a period that can last between five to 21 days. He urged the public to avoid unnecessary physical contact, particularly handshakes, emphasizing that early treatment significantly improves survival rates.
The government’s approach, he revealed, focuses on avoiding panic and blanket border closures. “When I met with the task force, we didn’t agree with the panic of crossing the border because if people are coming legally, we can manage them,” he said, adding that cross-border collaboration with the DRC remains essential. This measured stance follows the difficult decision to postpone the annual Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations—a massive pilgrimage event involving millions—to prevent the disease’s spread, a move supported by the Ugandan Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
A New Term, A New Vision
The expo launch marks one of several high-profile activities President Museveni has undertaken since his inauguration for a seventh consecutive term on May 12, 2026. He secured a decisive victory in the January 2026 elections with over 71% of the vote and has since announced a “Kisanja of No More Sleep and No More Corruption” for the 2026–2031 term.
As the day concluded, President Museveni’s message from Munyonyo was clear: he remains firmly at the helm, balancing a robust public health response with an optimistic vision for Uganda’s economic future.
“I therefore welcome the world to come and explore Uganda, the Pearl of Africa,” he concluded.
