Uganda

Uganda is a landlocked East African country bordered by South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its population of approximately 49 million (2024 estimate) is one of the youngest in the world by median age, growing rapidly and placing considerable pressure on public services. Kampala is the capital. President Yoweri Museveni has governed since 1986, making his one of Africa's longest-serving presidencies. Uganda has pursued significant economic growth over recent decades but remains a low-income country with high rates of rural poverty. The country sits at the intersection of several disease-risk zones: its western border region is one of the world's highest-risk areas for Ebola, mpox, and other zoonotic spillovers from the Congo Basin, making it a priority surveillance location.

Uganda has the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), one of East Africa's most capable virus surveillance and research laboratories, which has contributed to Ebola outbreak investigations, mpox case management research, and HIV surveillance. The country has managed mpox cases, including clade I cases linked to cross-border movement with the DRC, and has existing One Health surveillance infrastructure from these prior engagements. Uganda is one of eight AU member states selected for ARILAC (Advancing Regional Integrated Laboratory Capacity for AMR Control), launched in Addis Ababa on 6 May 2026 . ARILAC's AMR focus sits alongside Uganda's existing viral surveillance strengths; the country's inclusion suggests the programme views bacterial resistance monitoring as the remaining gap alongside its established viral capabilities.