Uganda News

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, inaugurated the second National Tobacco Control Committee (NTCC) during a high-level event held in Kampala. This milestone marks a renewed national commitment to enforcing the Tobacco Control Act and protecting citizens, especially the youth and vulnerable, from the harmful effects of tobacco.

Kampala. Uganda has officially declared the end of the Ebola disease outbreak, which was confirmed on 30 January 2025 by Uganda’s Ministry of Health. The outbreak infected 14 people, two of whom were probable (not confirmed by laboratory tests) and caused four deaths (including two probable). 

Today, as Uganda commemorates World Malaria Day in Gulu District, we are reminded of both a solemn truth and a powerful opportunity: malaria remains one of the deadliest diseases in Uganda, but it is also a disease we have the power to end if we choose to reinvest, reimagine, and reignite our collective efforts.

For years, childbirth for many women in Uganda meant facing it alone, in dim, overcrowded rooms, with no privacy, no comfort, and no one to hold their hand. Husbands waited outside. Health workers were stretched thin. Fear often overshadowed what should have been a joyful moment. Today, that story is changing. Maternity wards are brighter and better equipped. Curtains are only drawn for privacy. And for the first time, many mothers have someone beside them during labour, often their partner. 

One of the cornerstones of a successful response system to a disease outbreak such as the Sudan virus disease (SVD) is the effective coordination of partners. For this reason, this role is usually the preserve of the Ministry of Health (MoH), closely supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) as co-chair.

Disease outbreaks in Uganda are not a new phenomenon, with diseases of epidemic potential reported almost every year.  From Ebola, Marburg, yellow fever, measles and cholera, to mention a few, the country has seen them all and, in the process, built a resilient health system capable of detecting and containing them in record time. 

Kampala, Uganda. Ireland’s Minister for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD, has announced €1 million contribution to support the World Health Organization (WHO)-led efforts to tackle the outbreak of the Sudan virus disease (SVD) as part of the UN Uganda Emergency Appeal. This will be used to support surveillance, infection prevention and control, and risk communication for communities. This collaboration will help to strengthen the government national response capacity and ensure a timely end to the outbreak. 

On World Health Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) calls for urgent action to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths and ensure that every mother and baby not only survive but thrive. This year’s theme, Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures, is a reminder that health starts at birth and must be protected throughout life.

On World Health day, Uganda reflects on progress, challenges, and collaborative strategies to reduce maternal and newborn mortality under the theme "Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures,".  This theme calls for intensified efforts by governments and communities to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths and prioritize women’s long-term health. Marking the start of a yearlong campaign, the commemoration aims to raise awareness, advocate for investments, mobilize collective action, and provide essential health information on pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care.