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A weekly development news platform published by UrgeDevWire, produced by Urge Communications. Covering wider East African region.

Dev-News News Desk| East Africa. Urge- DevWire

EAC to launch Uganda's virus institute as regional centre of excellence

Entebbe, 20 July 2026 – The East African Community has announced that it will officially launch the Uganda Virus Research Institute as the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence in Virology on 22 July, in a move intended to strengthen the region's capacity to prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks including Ebola and Marburg. The announcement was issued in a statement from EAC headquarters in Arusha.

Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, EAC Deputy Secretary General for Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, said the designation reflects the bloc's commitment to enhancing regional health security through collaboration and investment in resilient laboratory systems. The institute will serve as a regional hub for advanced virology research, specialised laboratory training, disease surveillance, diagnostics and knowledge sharing across all EAC Partner States.

Ahead of the official launch, the institute will host a scientific symposium bringing together scientists, public health experts, policymakers and development partners to discuss emerging infectious diseases, regional laboratory systems and pandemic preparedness. The launch is expected to draw senior officials including Uganda's Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, EAC Council of Ministers Chairperson Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, and Pontiano Kaleebu, the institute's Director.

The designation forms part of Phase Three of the EAC Regional Network of Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases Project and aligns with the bloc's One Health approach to strengthening health systems across the region.

Source: East African Community Secretariat.

Dev-News Desk| East Africa. Urge- DevWire