The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has committed a $25 million grant (approximately Shs102 billion) to support the country’s health sector. The announcement, which also includes the appointment of Ugandan health officials to prestigious positions within the continental health agency, was made by Vice President Jessica Alupo on Tuesday.
According to the Vice President, the grant from the Pandemic Fund was communicated by Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya during a high-level meeting chaired earlier in the day on behalf of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The funding is expected to strengthen Uganda’s capacity to detect, prevent, and respond to disease threats, building on the country’s recent successes in managing public health emergencies.
“The Director General for Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, has just broken wonderful news to Uganda. A grant worth $25M to the Health Sector has been extended to Uganda from the Pandemic Fund,” VP Alupo stated in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “Uganda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, is to join the Africa CDC Board as a Member and, Chair. Dr. Henry Kyobe is now the new Africa CDC Director for Uganda. The good news was extended to Uganda in a meeting I chaired earlier today afternoon, as assigned by H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. I thank God for the good news.”
The appointments mark a significant vote of confidence in Uganda’s health leadership. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, a medical doctor and public health scientist who was recently appointed Minister of Health, brings extensive international experience to his new role on the Africa CDC Board. His portfolio includes technical leadership positions with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), as well as serving as past President of the African Parliamentarians Forum on Population and Development.
Lt. Col. Dr. Henry Kyobe, a renowned epidemiologist and government medical doctor, has been appointed as the new Africa CDC Director for Uganda. Dr. Kyobe previously served as the COVID-19 Incident Commander, a role in which he coordinated Uganda’s response that earned international recognition for effectively limiting disease spread and mortality. He has also been instrumental in coordinating Uganda’s Ebola response efforts, including the country’s recent outbreak that was declared over on July 28, 2025.
The announcements come just months after Africa CDC Director Dr. Jean Kaseya and World Health Organization leaders commended Uganda for its effective containment of the Ebola outbreak. Uganda’s response strategies, which led to the country declaring itself Ebola-free, have been hailed as a model for other African nations. Despite this success, the government remains on high alert as the disease continues to spread in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where it has killed approximately 5,000 people.
Demonstrating its solidarity and expertise, Uganda has established Ebola treatment and testing centers in the DRC to contain the disease at its source and reduce cross-border spread. The Ministry of Health has also heightened surveillance and prevention efforts at border points, with Dr. Kyobe playing a key role in coordinating these efforts on behalf of Uganda.
While the specific allocation of the $25 million grant was not detailed, the Ministry of Health indicated that the funds would support ongoing surveillance, prevention, and response activities. The grant is expected to bolster Uganda’s health systems, improve laboratory capacity, and enhance emergency preparedness across the country.
The Africa CDC is the continental autonomous health agency of the African Union, established to support public health initiatives of Member States and strengthen the capacity of their public health institutions. This latest development underscores Uganda’s growing stature as a leader in public health on the continent.
Efforts to obtain an official statement from Africa CDC regarding the appointments were unsuccessful at the time of publication. However, the news has been widely welcomed by health officials and the public, who view it as recognition of Uganda’s dedication to health security and regional cooperation.
