United Kingdom Team joined World Health Organization joined the Ministry of Health and other development partners to discuss and endorse the post-ebola recovery plan to be implemented in 180 days in the country(Uganda). They engaged with partners who were instrumental in controlling the Ebola Outbreak in Uganda in a record time.

The British High Commission in Kampala on 12th October announced that the United King  would  provide £2.2m to WHO, UNICEF and WFP to support Uganda’s response to the current Ebola outbreak.  This will consist of:

• £400,000 to the World Health Organization (WHO), to enhance case investigation and contact tracing at the local level, support laboratory diagnosis, and strengthen co-ordination of the response;

• £900,000 to UNICEF, to help prevent transmission of the disease through both strengthened engagement with local communities, and improved sanitation and hygiene provision in key installations – such as community health facilities and schools – in the affected areas; and

• £900,000 to the World Food Programme (WFP), to support transport, logistics and storage for the overall UN response – including transportation of medical supplies and PPE, provision of cold chain equipment, and support the establishment of Ebola Treatment Units.

In addition, at their request, a UK Government expert has been deployed to support WHO in Uganda, with expertise in case management. Others from the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team are expected to deploy imminently. All deployments will be agreed upon with the Government of Uganda.

HE Kate Airey OBE, British High Commissioner to Uganda said: “Time is of the essence when responding to this type of outbreak. The UK is helping the Government of Uganda and its partners in their response, by providing both fundings that can help scale up delivery on the ground, and experts who bring the experience of previous Ebola outbreaks in other countries. The UK will stand with the Government and people of Uganda in tackling this outbreak.”

The support package builds on previous assistance the UK has provided Uganda. Between 2018 and 2020, the UK contributed nearly £10m – over Shs40 billion – to support Ebola preparedness in Uganda in response to a major outbreak in DRC and a small number of cases in Uganda itself.

This has supported the Government of Uganda’s current capability in responding to the current outbreak. For example, ambulances previously purchased by the UK via the WFP, and subsequently donated to the Uganda Red Cross, are being used in the current outbreak.

Yonas Tegegn Woldermariam, World Health Organization Representative in Uganda said priorities include enhancing surveillance, infection control and community engagement to prevent future outbreaks. WHO Uganda today joined the Ministry of Health and development to discuss and endorse the post-Ebola recovery plan to be implemented in the next 180 days in the country.

Hon Jane Ruth Aceng said, “In the upcoming 180 days, as we will be taking actions to ensure that there is no resurgence of ebola cases, we will also strengthen our health system to manage the existing health issues and prevent future outbreaks”.