As Uganda marks International Safe Abortion Day on September 28, the country’s abortion debate continues to sit between the law, women’s need for reproductive health care and the realities of what happens when someone reaches a health facility. Globally, the day is being used to renew calls for access to safe abortion and to draw…
Country memorandum template · 23 SEPTEMBER 2026 To: Minister of Health Cc: National TB Programme Manager Date: 23 September 2026 Subject: 5-year national roadmaps for ambitious scale-up of rapid molecular TB tests Diagnosis is the weakest link in TB care Of the estimated 96,000 TB cases annually, about 20,000 TB cases go undiagnosed annually, with…
Uganda is responding to anthrax outbreaks in several districts, with cases reported in parts of western and central Uganda during 2026, according to Ministry of Health surveillance data. The country’s first response in the current surveillance period was activated in Kazo District on 18 October 2024. By Epidemiological Week 36, covering 31 August to 6…
Uganda was still responding to mpox in 121 districts in early September 2026, more than two years after the country activated its outbreak response. The Ministry of Health activated the response on 24 July 2024. By Epidemiological Week 36, covering 31 August to 6 September 2026, the surveillance system had recorded 8,001 cases and 52…
Uganda has activated measles outbreak responses in nine districts since late June 2026, with 55 cases recorded and 37 laboratory confirmed by Epidemiological Week 36, according to Ministry of Health surveillance data. The outbreaks were reported between 29 June and 4 September, with the latest responses activated in Namutumba and Kassanda on 4 September. No…
Uganda detected two respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections among 45 respiratory specimens tested at four sentinel hospitals during the week of 31 August to 6 September 2026, according to respiratory surveillance data from the Makerere University Walter Reed Program. One of the infections was RSV type A, detected in a patient with influenza-like illness, while…
African leaders have called for greater domestic financing and stronger action across government and other sectors to prevent a reversal of progress against malaria as international health financing comes under increasing pressure. The call was made during a high-level side event on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where…
The World Cancer Congress today highlighted new evidence on lung cancer screening from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), implementation lessons from Australia, and patient insights. IARC’s first comprehensive international evaluation of the evidence on lung cancer screening was presented today during the official World Cancer Congress press conference, and published in the…
Artificial intelligence is moving deeper into healthcare, education, agriculture and other sectors, but for African countries the question is increasingly whether the continent can build the infrastructure, skills and data needed to shape the technology rather than simply consume it. The question was among the wider issues discussed at the World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development…
From 5–8 October 2026, Yaoundé, Cameroon, will host the fourth regional Women’s Climate Assembly (WCA), under the theme Our lands, our voices: African women united for climate justice and reparations. The gathering will bring together women from across West and Central Africa to strengthen a movement for climate justice rooted in ecofeminist resistance and the…