U.S. MISSION UGANDA | PRESS RELEASE | April 1, 2020 PR 02/20
U.S. Government Supports Uganda’s COVID-19 Response Efforts
KAMPALA – The U.S. Mission in Uganda is committed to assisting Uganda in its fight against COVID-19. Last year the U.S. government provided more than $500 million in assistance to the health sector in Uganda, representing the largest investment from any country. U.S. government agencies that are contributing to COVID-19 response efforts include the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of Defense, and the Department of State through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Expert Support to the Ugandan Government
- U.S. government officials are in daily contact with the Ministry of Health and provide expert support to the COVID-19 response National Task Force, its subcommittees, and strategy sessions.
- The U.S. government is supporting the Ministry of Health to develop risk management communications for COVID-19.
- We are also helping the Ugandan government to determine needs for medicines and supplies for the COVID-19 response, and we are assisting the government in managing the impact of COVID-19 on the availability of health supplies.
Technical Support
- The U.S. government is continuing large-scale support to Uganda for disease surveillance, field epidemiology response, incident management, emergency operations, and data systems. U.S. investments over many years in these areas have helped Uganda to be better prepared to respond to epidemics. We continue to provide support in all of these areas for COVID-19.
- We continue to support Ugandan laboratories with sample transport networks, training for lab staff, and diagnostic capabilities.
- The U.S. government has donated IT equipment to improve communication between and among Ugandan hospitals and district officials. We have also established virtual platforms for Ministry of Health meetings and communications.
- The U.S. government is also working closely with the Ministry of Health and civil society to ensure that critical health services for HIV, tuberculosis, maternal and child health, and malaria continue despite the challenges of COVID-19.
For additional information, please contact:
Dorothy Nanyonga
Information Assistant, U.S. Mission Uganda
Tel: +256 414 306 410
Cell: +256772138194
Email: NanyongaDX@state.gov
