The Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) has been tasked with leading global efforts to eliminate polio through a new reference laboratory set to open at its Entebbe-based facility. Prof. Pontiano Kaleebu, UVRI’s Executive Director, revealed this during the launch of activities marking the institute’s 90th anniversary today. He said scientists at the institute have already…
Tensions are mounting at the Mpondwe-Lhubiriha border post in Kasese District following a decision by authorities to temporarily close cross-border markets as part of measures to prevent the possible spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The closure affects the fish and cattle markets, which are jointly used by traders from Uganda and the Democratic Republic…
Authorities in Kikuube District have temporarily closed Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following an Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC. The closure affects the Nsonga and Sebigoro border points on the shores of Lake Albert in Kyangwali and Kabwoya sub-counties, which serve as the main official entry and exit routes between Kikuube…
Health facilities in Amudat District are recording a resurgence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) cases, with many girls now crossing into Kenya to undergo the practice in secret before returning home to give birth. Midwives say they are seeing more young mothers with fresh FGM scars, some as young as 14 to 18 years old.…
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention convened a high-level cross-border meeting in Kampala from May 22 to 23, 2026, to strengthen regional preparedness and coordination in response to the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak affecting Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The meeting, organized in collaboration with the health ministries of…
Travel bans, emergency funding and a continent-wide health alert have become central to efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, as African and U.S. health authorities warned of the risk of wider regional spread. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention officially declared the outbreak a…
The Society for AIDS in Africa elected a new executive leadership team during a handover ceremony and transition meeting held May 14–15 in Accra, Ghana, as the organization renewed calls for stronger African-led responses to HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis and emerging infectious diseases. The meeting, held at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, brought together public health leaders,…
African policymakers, development finance leaders and global partners are calling for urgent reforms to help countries respond to climate change while managing rising debt burdens and protecting economic growth. The calls came during a high-level side event titled “Integrating Debt Sustainability and Climate Transition: African Country Perspectives,” convened by AfriCatalyst in partnership with the Pact…
Uganda’s Karamoja sub-region recorded zero malaria-related deaths during epidemiological week 17 despite a malaria outbreak that pushed infections above epidemic thresholds, according to a new surveillance bulletin from the Moroto Regional Referral Hospital Public Health Emergency Operations Centre. The bulletin, covering April 20–26, reported 8,500 malaria cases across the region, down slightly from 9,810 cases…
Health officials in Uganda’s Karamoja sub-region have confirmed ongoing measles outbreaks in all nine districts, while malaria cases surged past epidemic thresholds and animal bite cases continued to rise, according to a new epidemiological bulletin from the Moroto Regional Referral Hospital Public Health Emergency Operations Centre. The week 17 bulletin, covering April 20–26, reported 27…