Kampala – The Government of Uganda, through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the broader community of health partners and stakeholders, has today launched the country’s second National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS II): 2024–2029.

The UGX 1.1 trillion (approximately USD 295 million) NAPHS II will strengthen Uganda’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health emergencies in line with the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005). These regulations require countries to build capacities in 19 technical areas to support prevention, early detection, and response. 

“This launch marks the beginning of an ambitious health security agenda and reaffirms our collective commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of all Ugandans in line with the broader objectives of the National Development Plan IV, which envisions a healthy population as key to achieving sustainable development,” said Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, Minister of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister.

WHO defines global health security as the activities required to minimize the danger and impact of acute public health events that endanger people’s health across geographical regions and international boundaries. To achieve national health security, countries are advised to develop their NAPHS. The NAPHS is a multiyear, country-owned strategic plan designed to help countries prepare for, respond to, and recover from health emergencies by improving their ability to prevent, detect, and respond to public health emergencies.

Uganda is prone to public health emergencies, ranging from disease outbreaks to natural disasters, and must prepare for and respond to these events while protecting global communities from the international spread of disease. In 2019, the country launched its first National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS I), coordinated by OPM.

The implementation of NAPHS I (2019–2023) brought transformative improvements to Uganda’s health security. Notable achievements include the enhancement of collaborative disease surveillance systems across sectors, greatly improving responses to zoonotic diseases through a One Health approach. The plan also advanced efforts to digitize the surveillance system to improve early warning and response mechanisms.

Investments in laboratory capacity further strengthened Uganda’s diagnostic capabilities, with 70 laboratories attaining accreditation, including two veterinary laboratories. These advancements significantly improved turnaround times for testing and data reliability during outbreaks. Additionally, 12 Regional Emergency Operations Centres were established to support coordination, such as the Mbale Centre, which played a critical role in responding to the ongoing Bulambuli district landslides disaster.

Despite its successes, NAPHS I and the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted critical gaps and areas for improvement, such as the need for stronger community involvement in health security.
“NAPHS II builds on the achievements and lessons of NAPHS I through a delicate balance between addressing immediate health threats and building long-term resilience,” said Dr Daniel Kyabayinze, Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Health.
 

In October 2023, Uganda conducted its second Joint External Evaluation (JEE). The JEE report provided recommendations and priority actions that have been incorporated into NAPHS II. Key priorities include strengthening surveillance and laboratory capacities to detect and respond to health emergencies more efficiently, enhancing community engagement through risk communication and public awareness campaigns, improving multisectoral collaboration, and integrating gender and climate change considerations into health security planning.

The launch was attended by representatives from government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Health Development Partners, and implementing partners.
“From the success in responding to the recent Ebola outbreak, which was contained in a record 69 days, to the ongoing surveillance and containment of other public health risks, Uganda has demonstrated that robust systems and collaboration can save lives and build trust,” said Dr Christine Musanhu, WHO Uganda Officer-in-Charge.

US Ambassador William Popp pledged continued support for Uganda’s health interventions. “The United States, together with fellow development and implementing partners, looks forward to continued cooperation with Uganda to prevent, detect, and rapidly respond to all epidemic-prone diseases here and in the region,” he said.

The launch was supported by WHO, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Resolve to Save Lives, Baylor Uganda, Makerere University Infectious Diseases Institute, alongside government MDAs. Development partners involved in the creation of NAPHS II included UKAID, the European Union, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the World Food Programme (WFP), Africa CDC, and the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare, among others.