February 13, 2025 (KAMPALA, Uganda): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), through its Regional Pandemic Preparedness and Response (PREPARE) Project team, held a meeting this afternoon with Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, the Minister of Health of the Republic of Uganda, along with the ministry’s leadership at its headquarters in Kampala. The meeting was led by Mr. Mubarak Mabuya, IGAD’s Chief of Staff and Interim Director of the Health and Social Development Division, representing HE Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, the Executive Secretary. Dr. Fatuma Adan, the lead of the IGAD PREPARE Project and IGAD Head of Mission to the Republic of Kenya, was also present.
The meeting aimed to strengthen regional laboratory and surveillance capacities, enhance workforce development, and improve cross-border collaboration and coordination mechanisms for pandemic preparedness. Discussions also centered on addressing national priorities and identified gaps, as well as developing a resource mobilization strategy that includes expedited support for the Government of Uganda.
To honor Uganda’s need for assistance in combating Mpox and Ebola viral diseases, the IGAD PREPARE Project has offered indicative financial support of USD 4 million to the Government of Uganda. This funding is intended to strengthen Uganda’s Emergency/Pandemic Response Plan, particularly in addressing the impacts of Mpox and Ebola viral diseases.
The resources from IGAD are part of the committed USD 8.3 million from the Pandemic fund through WHO. They are allocated to support IGAD Member States that are significantly impacted by the Mpox and Ebola diseases.
In her remarks, the Minister expressed appreciation for IGAD’s consistent response to the Government of Uganda’s requests for support during emergencies related to various outbreaks. She extended her gratitude, as well as that of the government, to IGAD and its partners for their strong collaboration and ongoing relationship.
“We have established a very fruitful partnership with IGAD, so it is not surprising that IGAD and its partners have responded positively to our government’s appeal for assistance. This support is crucial for enhancing surveillance, strengthening preventive measures, and ensuring effective response strategies to emergencies posed by outbreaks like Ebola and Mpox that threaten the health and lives of Ugandans,” Dr. Aceng added.
Mr. Mabuya mentioned that it is within IGAD’s mandate to support its Member States in various areas, including health, whenever there is a need. He expressed gratitude for the Pandemic Fund provided by the World Bank, through WHO and its partners, for their continuous support, collaboration, and engagement. This partnership aims to offer timely assistance and develop need-based actions and solutions to effectively support Member States in combating Mpox, Ebola, and other emerging cross-border and inter-country epidemics and pandemics, ultimately saving lives.
“As part of the PREPARE Project, IGAD will focus on promoting community-driven solutions to public health emergencies. We will leverage the World Health Organization’s technical leadership in managing public health crises, along with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and its network of volunteers. We will work in partnership with our Member States to ensure effective regional coordination and collaboration, protecting one another across borders through timely responses,” Mr. Mabuya stated.
On behalf of WHO, Dr. Kasonde Mwinga, the WHO Representative to Uganda, reiterated its support for Uganda in strengthening the resilience of its health systems. This commitment aims to enhance Uganda’s capacity to respond to current and future outbreaks.
“A promise made is a promise kept,” Dr. Mwinga stated. “We want to reaffirm our support and commitment to Uganda, and we are willing to adjust and realign our objectives to align with Uganda’s national health priorities. This includes not only the responses to Mpox and Ebola but also to all related health issues.”
This commitment follows the recent IGAD PREPARE Project Steering Committee meeting held on February 5, 2025. During this meeting, key recommendations were made to ensure the prompt disbursement of funds for Uganda’s emergency response efforts.
These funds will be channeled through existing government systems, particularly the National Emergency Coordination Taskforces and Committees. Close coordination will take place between IGAD, the Ministry of Health, and partners such as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Uganda Red Cross, and the World Health Organization (WHO), who will collaborate to finalize a Comprehensive Response Plan.
Against this backdrop, The IGAD PREPARE Project, funded by the Pandemic Fund of the World Bank through the World Health Organization, will initially focus on addressing the Mpox outbreak to mitigate its spread and prevent related mortality. Given the increasing cases of Ebola, the IGAD PREPARE Project has engaged in discussions with the Ministry of Health and partners to integrate the national needs into the initial support. This approach aims to provide effective medium- to long-term solutions for existing and future outbreaks
While in Uganda, the IGAD PREPARE Project team, in collaboration with project partners including the IFRC, the Uganda Red Cross Society, and the World Health Organization, engaged in joint discussions to finalize a Response Plan. This plan aims to align with Uganda’s pandemic response priorities and address existing gaps, ensuring timely disbursement of funds to the Health Ministry. This will enable the Ministry to effectively and efficiently respond to emergencies, ultimately saving lives through a robust emergency preparedness response system.
Additionally, in line with the broader One Health agenda, side discussions were held on the regional post-Mpox/Ebola response plan. where the IGAD PREPARE team paid courtesy calls to the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Water and Environment, and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, these discussions focused on how the Ministries and other relevant stakeholders can coordinate their efforts toward a harmonized approach. This would strengthen regional laboratory and surveillance capabilities, workforce development, and cross-border collaboration for Pandemic Preparedness and Response within the framework of One Health, addressing human, animal, and environmental health for a healthier region.
Background:
- Mpox is transmitted to humans through contact with infected wild animals, . It can also spread among humans through direct contact with an infected person.
- Although Mpox often resolves on its own, it can be fatal in certain cases, particularly among children under five years old, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those living with HIV/AIDS.
- Symptoms of Mpox may include rashes on the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth, or around the genitals. Other common symptoms include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, muscle aches, back pain, headaches, and respiratory symptoms such as a sore throat, nasal congestion, and cough.
