EAC strengthens health security with launch of UVRI as Regional Centre of Excellence in Virology

ENTEBBE, July 25, 2026 – The East African Community’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks has been significantly strengthened following the official launch and operationalisation of the Uganda Virus Research Institute [UVRI] as the East African Community [EAC] Regional Centre of Excellence in Virology in Entebbe, Wakiso district.

The Centre will serve as a regional hub for advanced virology research, specialised laboratory training, disease surveillance, diagnostics and knowledge sharing, enhancing the ability of EAC Partner States to prepare for and respond to public health threats, including Ebola, Marburg and other emerging and re-emerging viral diseases.

The event held on Wednesday was officiated by Uganda’s Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business, Robinah Nabbanja, representing the President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

Speaking during the event, Nabbanja said the launch was a call to responsibility for the region to do more in strengthening health security. She noted that the world is changing rapidly alongside evolving health demands and policies.

“Through this journey, we have seen and learnt that a nation that studies its own pathogens is a self-reliant nation. We commit to increasing funding for research,” she said.

On her part, the EAC Chairperson of the Council of Ministers, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, who is also Uganda’s 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, lauded the establishment of the Centre, noting that it comes at a time when infectious disease threats continue to challenge the region and the world.

“The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that diseases do not respect borders, and an outbreak emerging in one Partner State can quickly become a regional concern,” she noted.

While EAC Partner States have continued to strengthen their laboratory systems, differences remain in technical capacity, expertise and resources. The operationalisation of Regional Centres of Excellence provides a mechanism for Partner States to share specialised knowledge, strengthen scientific collaboration and improve collective preparedness and response.

Representing the Secretary General, EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Ariik Aguer Malueth, noted that an EAC Regional Centre of Excellence is a specialised institution recognised by the Community to provide advanced expertise, research, training, innovation and technical support in an area of regional importance.

“These Centres ensure that scientific knowledge and specialised capabilities developed in one Partner State become a shared regional resource benefiting all East Africans,” he noted.

Ariik added that the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence in Virology at UVRI is among the seven Regional Medical Diagnostic Centres of Excellence identified under the EAC Health Investment Priority Framework 2018–2028, endorsed by the 19th Summit of the EAC Heads of State.

“Uganda’s leadership in virology reflects UVRI’s internationally recognised expertise and decades of contribution to virus research, disease surveillance and outbreak response,” he stated.

The event was held alongside the celebration of UVRI’s 90-year anniversary under the theme, “Celebrating 90 Years of Discoveries and Global Impact.”

Speaking at the launch, Prof. Pontiano Kaleebu, Director of the Uganda Virus Research Institute, appreciated the collaboration with the EAC and partners, affirming UVRI’s commitment to advancing regional health security.

“As a regional hub, UVRI will support advanced virology research, specialised laboratory training, diagnostics, surveillance and knowledge sharing across the EAC region,” he said.

The Centre will strengthen the ability of Partner States to detect, confirm and respond to viral diseases through enhanced laboratory networks and scientific collaboration. UVRI already plays an important regional role by supporting confirmation of samples referred from Partner States before disease outbreaks are declared, ensuring that public health decisions are guided by scientific evidence.

The launch builds on the achievements of the EAC Regional Network of Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases Project, which has strengthened regional preparedness and response to high-risk viral diseases.

Through the EAC Mobile Laboratory Network, established in 2017, the region has improved its ability to respond rapidly to outbreaks by reducing laboratory test turnaround time from approximately 72 hours to 8 hours, enabling faster and more informed public health decisions.

The Centre will further advance the EAC One Health approach by strengthening collaboration across human health, animal health and environmental sectors, recognising the interconnected nature of emerging infectious disease threats.

The operationalisation of UVRI as the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence in Virology has been supported through the EAC Regional Network of Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases Project, with support from the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW and technical support from the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM).

Speaking at the launch, Jan Alber, KfW Country Director, Uganda, reaffirmed KfW’s commitment to supporting regional health security and resilient health systems.

“KfW is proud to support this important milestone in strengthening East Africa’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease threats. We remain committed to supporting the region as a lasting source of research, innovation and resilience through stronger laboratory systems and partnerships,” he said.

On his part, the Deputy Ambassador of Germany to Uganda, Peter Primus, noted that six container-based laboratories are currently under procurement and will support the diagnosis of infectious diseases, processing of bacterial samples and testing of resistance to commonly used antibiotics, making laboratory-based antimicrobial resistance [AMR] surveillance a core component of national and regional strategies in a region where AMR-related illness and mortality are already high and rising.

The EAC Secretariat appreciates this partnership, which has played a critical role in strengthening regional laboratory systems, enhancing pandemic preparedness and building sustainable capacity to address emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

https://thecooperator.news/uvri-awarded-top-regional-virology-hub/

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