From Us
HEPS-Uganda@25 hosted a press conference on 4 March 2025 alongside Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to address the urgent need for action following the termination of USAID programs. The focus was on advocating against the Trump executive order and calling for the immediate restoration of HIV and other health assistance programs. The order has led to suspending vital local health initiatives in Uganda, including emergency Ebola and HIV treatment efforts. Civil society is demanding the swift reinstatement of these programs and urging Uganda’s government and local leaders to take immediate steps to bridge the gaps in critical health services
HEPS-UGANDA@25 conducted a three-day community engagement activity from March 5-7 in Kiboga District as part of the LENOBI project. During this initiative, we collaborated with the District Health Teams (DHT) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to explore ways to enhance immunization services. Key action points included expanding outreach to more communities, training Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) teams on the new Defaulter Tracking Register, motivating Village Health Teams (VHTs), and improving data capture and timely reporting
HEPS-Uganda@25 participated in the Ministry of Health and members’ quarterly RMNCAH+ (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health, Nutrition, and Aging) Stakeholders Country Technical Working Group meeting. The meeting, held on March 7 at the Golden Tulip, focused on reporting progress and updates on key indicators in these areas.
From our partners:
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The Ministry of Health (MOH) convened a Quarterly RMNCAH Stakeholders Country Technical Group meeting on March 7 at the Golden Tulip. The primary objective of the meeting was to review and report on the progress of key indicators.
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World Health Organization (WHO). The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced the recommendations for the viral composition of influenza vaccines for the 2025–2026 influenza season in the northern hemisphere. The national vaccine regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical companies use the recommendations issued to develop, produce, and license influenza vaccines for the following influenza season. The periodic update of viruses contained in influenza vaccines is necessary for the vaccines to be effective due to the constantly evolving nature of influenza viruses, including those circulating and infecting humans.
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Centre for Human Rights and Development (CEHURD) marked a significant achievement in Napak District. During a mobile legal aid camp in December, residents of Lokopo sub-county voiced their concerns about the lack of access to clean water. With over 1,017 people and 180 households depending on an unsafe water source shared with animals, the issue was brought to the attention of district leaders, Lokopo sub-county officials, and the district water office, urging them to take action. In just a month, a borehole was constructed to serve the resilient community of Lolemuyek village in Lokirikitae Parish, Lokopo sub-county. Recently, CEHURD engaged with sub-county leaders and the Water User Committee (WUC) to guide proper usage and long-term sustainability. This borehole represents more than just water—it symbolizes hope, health, and dignity for the community.
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Makerere School of Public Health hosted a Webinar training on February 27, an African Leadership and Management Training for Impact in Malaria Eradication (ALAMIME)
From your community:
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Kayunga Hospital received over 64000 doses of impounded ARVs. The National Drug Authority handed over 64800 doses of Antiretroviral drugs (ARVS) it had impounded from individuals who had stolen them from Kamuli General Hospital in November last year. The handover came after NDA’s plea to the Chief Magistrate of the utility court in Makindye to have these life-saving drugs handed over to those who are in critical need of them. The drugs were handed over to Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital.
From Uganda:
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EBOLA: Kampala records second death Uganda on Saturday announced the second Ebola death in its capital, Kampala, just days after discharging all Ebola patients whom authorities said had fully recovered following isolation and treatment. A four-and-a-half-year-old child died from Ebola at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala on Tuesday, Uganda’s Ministry of Health said in a statement issued on Saturday.
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Mpox in Uganda: From Low-Income Communities to Middle-Class Offices. Uganda has been battling a mpox outbreak for over six months, with early cases concentrated in low-income urban settlements. However, a shift is emerging as the disease now spreads into middle-class neighbourhoods and corporate offices. Health experts identify commercial sex work as a significant driver of this transition, enabling the virus to move beyond its original hotspots
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Cancer patients urge govt to lower screening costs Cancer patients are urging the government to reduce the cost of cancer screening, emphasizing that financial constraints hinder early detection and timely treatment. Former Buikwe Woman MP, Dorothy Christine Mpiima, who also serves as the publicity secretary for the Buikwe Women Council, highlighted the need for free screening services.
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60% of women undergoing cervical cancer treatment are at risk of severe malnutrition. A new study has found over sixty percent of women undergoing cervical cancer treatment at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) to be experiencing extreme wasting, a complication technically referred to as Cancer cachexia. Releasing preliminary findings on Friday, Dr Innocent Atuhe, who was a Co-Investigator, said this study, which started in 2023, involved women of advanced cervical cancer receiving chemotherapy, and they found the majority that suffered cachexia were those aged fifty years and above. The patients who were periodically assessed for nutritional status and their body mass index were found to have loss of appetite, loss of muscle, and loss of weight.
From the region:
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Janabi calls for increased awareness of rare diseases. MUHIMBILI National Hospital (MNH) Executive Director Professor Mohamed Janabi has called for continued public education on rare diseases, stating that consciousness will help the communities to better understand the challenges associated with the conditions. Speaking during an event to mark World Rare Disease Day, Prof Janabi urged medical professionals to deepen their understanding of rare diseases. He stressed that building doctors’ capacity on the conditions would enhance their ability to diagnose and treat patients more effectively.
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Moving forward the vaccine supply chain in Africa. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep inequities in global vaccine access, with countries and regions without the ability to manufacture vaccines often left behind. The inequity was particularly felt in Africa. By July 2022, for approximately every three doses of COVID-19 vaccines delivered worldwide, only around one reached Africa. This lag was, in part, due to Africa’s reliance on external countries and donors to provide vaccines.
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African governments urged on sexual reproductive health prioritization. As African governments strive to boost economic growth and development, experts are calling for a focus on a critical yet often neglected sector: sexual and Reproductive Health (SHR). Investing in SRH is not just a moral responsibility but also a smart economic strategy. Dr Githinji Gitahi, the Group CEO of Amref Health Africa, emphasizes that investing in SRH is essential for achieving sustainable economic growth in Africa.
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African countries urged to prioritize primary healthcare, domestic financing.Health experts and policymakers have called for urgent investment in primary healthcare and domestic health financing to build sustainable and resilient health systems across the African continent
Global health security:
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WHO: Mpox still a public health emergency of international concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the Mpox upsurge continues to meet the criteria of a public health emergency of international concern outlined in the International Health Regulations (IHR). According to a statement released on Thursday, this declaration follows the third meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox held on 25 February 2025 where the Committee advised Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General to extend the public health emergency of international concern, based on the continuing rise in numbers and geographic spread, the violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as a lack of funding to implement the response plan.
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USAID official warns of unnecessary deaths from Trump’s foreign aid block. A senior official with the USAID warned that the Trump administration’s dismantling of the agency will result in unnecessary deaths.
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WHO official urges African nations to unite for stronger health security. The acting Regional Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) African Region, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, has called on African countries to work together in strengthening health security across the continent. He made the call during the opening of the four-day Africa Health Agenda International Conference in Kigali on Sunday evening, where he underscored that no nation can combat infectious diseases and health threats alone.
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US Reinstates HIV/AIDS Support to the Joint Clinical Research Centre The U.S. government has restored all HIV/AIDS support to the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC), according to the Commander of Defence Forces (CDF). This decision follows a recent 90-day pause on all foreign assistance, including funding for programs supported by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
