The World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation-Uganda, and Makerere University, celebrated two significant milestones at the Uganda Public Health Institute: the 9^th graduation of Public Health Field Epidemiologists and the inaugural graduation of Laboratory Leadership Fellows. This event highlighted Uganda’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its public health workforce, addressing emerging health challenges, and building resilient health systems.

U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, His Excellency William W. Popp, commended the graduates for their resilience and dedication. He recognized the pivotal role of the CDC-supported Field Epidemiology Training Program, which has trained 800 disease detectives since its establishment in 2015. Ambassador Pop also acknowledged the inaugural cohort of Laboratory Leadership Fellows for their crucial contributions to the 2022-2023 Ebola response and their current work in addressing mpox.

“Today, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of Uganda's disease detectives and laboratory leaders. These professionals are at the forefront of tackling health challenges, preventing outbreaks, and saving lives,” Ambassador Popp said. “The U.S, through CDC, is committed to building a healthier and more resilient future. We will continue to support and fund programs that address health challenges and prevent outbreaks.”

In her address, Commissioner Laboratory Health Services, Dr Susan Nabadda, urged the graduates to embrace their new roles as public health leaders. “The resilience you’ve shown during your training will now be crucial as you safeguard the health of our communities,” Dr Nabadda stated. “Your contributions will shape Uganda’s health landscape for years to come.”

Dr Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Country Representative, praised the graduates for their unwavering commitment and emphasized their critical role in ensuring Uganda’s health security. “You are at the forefront of disease surveillance, outbreak response, and evidence-based policymaking,” Dr Mwinga remarked. “Your expertise will enable swift and decisive action against health threats.”

She reiterated WHO’s ongoing support in strengthening Uganda’s public health systems. “WHO remains steadfast in supporting Uganda’s workforce development, improving disease surveillance, and enhancing emergency preparedness and response. Together, we continue to build resilient health systems that meet international standards.”

The event also celebrated the leadership of the Ministry of Health and the contributions of Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) in advancing public health education and training in Uganda. Dr Rhoda Wanyenze, Dean of MakSPH, emphasized the institution’s long-standing collaboration with WHO and the Ministry. “Through our joint efforts, we have developed a robust training platform that equips health professionals with the skills needed to tackle Uganda’s most pressing health challenges,” she said.

The Laboratory Leadership Fellows were also honored for their significant contributions to advancing Uganda’s laboratory systems, which are key to effective disease diagnostics and outbreak responses. Dr Mwinga highlighted the importance of this cohort, noting that “their leadership will ensure diagnostic accuracy and help Uganda meet global public health standards.”

As the ceremony concluded, graduates were encouraged to view challenges such as antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and emerging diseases as opportunities to innovate and drive transformative change. This call to action reinforced the importance of continuous innovation in the face of evolving health threats.

This event marked a significant milestone not only for the graduates but also for Uganda’s public health achievements. It reaffirmed the country’s progress in reaching its public health goals through strategic partnerships and capacity-building investments. 

WHO remains fully committed to supporting Uganda in its ongoing efforts to build resilient, effective health systems that can respond to the nation’s evolving public health needs.