UK announces Shs4.8b towards Uganda's Mpox response
Acting High Commissioner, Philip Smith poses for a photo with the Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng at a courtesy visit at MoH offices to announce the UK’s support to Uganda’s Mpox response on Thursday. Photo | Courtesy
What you need to know:
- According to the British High Commission in Kampala, this funding will be channelled through Baylor College of Medicine and the Infectious Disease Institute to enhance coordination, surveillance, risk communication, and community engagement.
The United Kingdom (UK) has announced a significant contribution of up to £1 million (approximately UGX 4.8 billion) to support Uganda's response to the ongoing Mpox outbreak.
According to the British High Commission in Kampala, this funding will be channelled through Baylor College of Medicine and the Infectious Disease Institute to enhance coordination, surveillance, risk communication, and community engagement.
Mr Philip Smith, Acting British High Commissioner to Uganda, emphasized the importance of collaboration: "It is critical that we work with the Government of Uganda to counter this outbreak. We are pleased to announce this additional funding to support a timely response. The UK's support will work in affected districts to improve the response to the outbreak on the ground."
Hon. Jane Ruth Aceng, Minister for Health, expressed gratitude for the UK's long-standing support: "The UK has always been a key partner with the Government of Uganda on our outbreak response. We appreciate the £1 million contribution via implementing partners Baylor Uganda and Infectious Disease Institute in supporting us respond efficiently to the Mpox outbreak."
This support builds upon previous UK assistance, including £2.2 million for the Ebola outbreak in 2022 and nearly £10 million for Ebola preparedness between 2018 and 2020.
In October 2022, the UK contributed £2.2 million (UGX 9.3 billion) and technical experts to support the Government of Uganda's response to the Ebola outbreak. Between 2018 and 2020, the UK contributed nearly £10 million (over UGX 40 billion) to support Ebola preparedness in Uganda.
"We will stand with the Government and people of Uganda in tackling this outbreak," Mr Smith reaffirmed.
These efforts have improved Uganda's ability to respond to the current outbreak. For example, ambulances previously purchased by the UK via the World Food Programme (WFP) and subsequently donated to the Uganda Red Cross are now being used in the response to the Mpox outbreak.
