Africa CDC to establish regional pandemic response centre in Uganda

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Uganda is set to host a regional pandemic response centre under the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), a move that could strengthen Africa’s ability to detect, contain and respond to future disease outbreaks while cementing Uganda’s growing role as a continental public health leader.

The development was revealed by Uganda’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, Adonia Ayebare, following discussions with Africa CDC Director General Dr Jean Kaseya.

"Today I had a productive call with Dr Jean Kaseya, Head of Africa CDC, and he agreed to correct the errors in their reporting on Ebola cases in Uganda. He also informed me that a regional centre on pandemic response will be established in Uganda,” Ayebare posted on X.

The facility is expected to serve as a regional hub for disease surveillance, outbreak coordination, laboratory support, emergency preparedness, research and rapid deployment of health workers during epidemics.

The centre is expected to help countries detect outbreaks earlier, share information more quickly and coordinate responses before diseases spread across borders.

The announcement comes as Uganda battles a fresh outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), a rare Bundibugyo strain, once again placing the country’s public health response systems under international scrutiny.

On May 29, 2026, Prof. Charles Olaro, director general of health services at the Ministry of Health, confirmed two additional Ebola cases in Kampala, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to nine, including one death.

According to the Ministry of Health, six of the confirmed cases are Congolese nationals, while three are Ugandans. Three health workers have also been infected, including one Congolese national. By May 30, Uganda had identified and monitored 580 contacts linked to the outbreak.

Despite the challenges, Uganda’s response received praise from Africa CDC during the agency’s weekly press briefing on May 28. Dr Kaseya commended Uganda’s efforts to contain the outbreak through measures including enhanced border screening, contact tracing and controls on high-risk gatherings.

His comments reflect growing recognition of Uganda’s experience in handling infectious disease emergencies.

Over the past two decades, Uganda has repeatedly confronted outbreaks of Ebola, Marburg virus disease, Mpox and, more recently, COVID-19. Through these experiences, the country has built a network of trained epidemiologists, surveillance officers, laboratories and rapid response teams capable of investigating and containing outbreaks.

This accumulated experience may have contributed to Africa CDC’s decision to locate the regional centre in Uganda, as a regional pandemic response centre could significantly improve health security not only for Uganda but also for neighbouring countries.

During the May 28 weekly briefing, Dr Kaseya warned that travel restrictions and public fears linked to outbreaks continue to cause significant economic damage across the continent.

Ayebare indicated that Kaseya had agreed to correct inaccuracies in Africa CDC reporting concerning Uganda’s Ebola cases, a move officials hope will improve confidence among international travellers and investors.

Further evidence of Uganda’s growing reputation in outbreak management emerged recently when Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine revealed during a BBC interview that the United States had enquired about the possibility of establishing a quarantine facility for American nationals in Uganda during disease outbreaks.