The U.S. government has announced a commitment of $4.1 million (approximately shs15 billion and 5,500 Mpox tests to bolster the response to Mpox in Uganda.
Through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), this funding includes $1.4 million allocated to the World Health Organization (WHO), $600,000 to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and $400,000 to the USAID Uganda Health Activity, implemented by the University Research Collaborative (URC). These funds aim to support Uganda’s mpox preparedness and response plan.
Additionally, the U.S. government is providing $1.7 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to facilitate Mpox screening and response efforts at border crossings, refugee settlements, and host communities. U.S. Mission Uganda staff, including representatives from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and USAID, are collaborating daily with Ugandan ministries and officials to mitigate the spread of Mpox.
U.S. Ambassador William Popp stated, “Our commitment to a healthy Uganda is the foundation of a prosperous Uganda. When people are healthy, they can work, provide for their families, and contribute more fully to their communities. The U.S. government’s partnership with the Ugandan people focuses on sustainable long-term solutions, building people’s capacity to address these issues independently in the future.”
This new assistance for Mpox prevention adds to the hundreds of millions of dollars the United States invests annually in strengthening Uganda’s health system. This investment enables the country to detect, prevent, and respond to various health threats, including Mpox. The U.S. is leveraging its broader development and humanitarian initiatives—spanning social protection, education, and communication—to enhance its response.
For decades, the U.S. government has played a pivotal role in strengthening Uganda’s health systems, particularly in disease surveillance and reporting.
This support has led to the establishment of over 70 internationally accredited laboratories in Uganda, a significant increase from just seven in 2015, ensuring reliable testing for Ugandans.
In refugee settings, the United States funds medical professionals to screen new arrivals, constructs screening centers and treatment wards, and covers testing expenses. These resources are currently mobilised to combat the mpox outbreak.
Moreover, following the responses to COVID-19 and the Ebola outbreak, the U.S. CDC, Department of Defense, and USAID have facilitated the operationalization of Emergency Operations Centers at Regional Referral Hospitals, which are now responding effectively to Mpox cases.
Every year, the United States allocates nearly $1 billion (about 3.7 trillion Ugandan shillings) in assistance to the Ugandan people, positively impacting all 146 districts.
Over 97% of this investment is delivered through non-governmental partners, with nearly 70% of activities implemented via Ugandan NGOs, resulting in the creation of over 6,000 jobs for Ugandans.
