UGANDA—The U.S. government has announced a significant contribution of US$4.1 million (UGX 15 billion) and 5,500 mpox test kits to aid Uganda’s response to the ongoing mpox outbreak.
This support, channelled through various agencies, is part of the broader U.S. effort to strengthen Uganda’s public health system and prevent the further spread of the disease.
A large portion of the funds, US$1.4 million, will be provided to the World Health Organization (WHO) through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), while an additional US$600,000 will be directed to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Moreover, US$400,000 will support the Uganda Health Activity, which is being implemented by the University Research Collaborative (URC), specifically focusing on Uganda’s mpox preparedness and response plan.
Furthermore, the U.S. government has allocated US$1.7 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to enhance mpox screening and response activities, particularly at border crossings, refugee settlements, and within host communities.
U.S. agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and USAID are working closely with Ugandan authorities daily to coordinate efforts to contain and prevent a wider spread of the disease.
While announcing this assistance, U.S. Ambassador William Popp emphasized the U.S.’s ongoing commitment to a healthier and more prosperous Uganda.
According to Popp, healthy citizens are the backbone of productive communities, enabling individuals to contribute to their families and the nation’s overall development.
He also noted that the U.S. partnership with Uganda aims to create sustainable solutions that empower the country to manage health crises independently in the future.
This latest assistance is part of a much larger U.S. effort to bolster Uganda’s healthcare infrastructure. Each year, the U.S. provides hundreds of millions of dollars to help build a resilient health system capable of detecting, preventing, and responding to a wide range of health threats, including diseases like mpox.
The U.S. is also leveraging its existing humanitarian and development programs—such as the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)—to support the mpox response through social protection, education, and communication initiatives.
For decades, the U.S. government has played a crucial role in improving Uganda’s health systems, including strengthening disease surveillance and reporting by training health professionals such as community health workers, lab technicians, and public health officials.
With this U.S. support, Uganda now boasts more than 70 internationally accredited laboratories, a significant increase from its mere seven in 2015.
These facilities offer reliable testing services, which are especially critical in refugee settings where the U.S. funds medical screenings, testing, and the construction of treatment centers.
Due to previous health emergencies like COVID-19 and Ebola, U.S. agencies such as the CDC, the Department of Defense (DOD), and USAID have helped establish Emergency Operations Centers at regional hospitals, which are now actively responding to the mpox outbreak.
Overall, the U.S. provides nearly US$1 billion (UGX 3.7 trillion) in annual aid to Uganda, benefiting all of Uganda’s 146 districts.
Over 97% of this aid is delivered through non-governmental partners, with approximately 70% of U.S. programs implemented by Ugandan organizations, generating over 6,000 jobs locally.
Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE