The United Nations has launched a critical appeal to raise $11.2 million for Uganda’s Ebola response. The outbreak has claimed two lives, overwhelming the country’s health budget strained by recent cuts to U.S. foreign aid.
The highly contagious Sudan strain of Ebola was first detected in January when a male nurse died at Uganda’s national referral hospital in Kampala. Last week, a four-year-old child also succumbed to the virus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
So far, Uganda has confirmed 10 cases linked to the Sudan strain, which lacks an approved vaccine. With no effective vaccine to curb the spread, the situation remains dire.
The UN stated the funds would support efforts from March to May in seven high-risk districts. “The aim is to swiftly contain the outbreak and mitigate its impact on public health and the social-economic fabric,” said Kasonde Mwinga, WHO’s representative in Uganda.
Historically, Uganda has relied heavily on U.S. funding for its health sector. During the last Ebola outbreak in 2022-2023, the U.S. provided $34 million to support vital activities such as diagnostics and infection control.
However, recent cuts to aid under President Donald Trump’s administration have significantly reduced U.S. funding, leaving Uganda’s health services struggling. Government officials have noted the impact of these cuts on their health budget.
In Geneva, WHO’s Dr. Janet Diaz highlighted that the agency is now stepping in to handle tasks previously managed by other groups. These include deploying surveillance teams at border points and managing biological samples.
Ebola’s symptoms include fever, headache, and muscle pain. It is spread through contact with infected bodily fluids or tissue.
