U.S. Boosts Uganda’s Mpox Fight with 5,000 Test Kits
By The Public Lens
The United States government has made a significant contribution to Uganda’s efforts to combat the Mpox outbreak, donating 5,000 laboratory test kits valued at $265,000 (approximately Shs 970 million).
U.S. Ambassador William W. Popp handed over the test kits to Uganda’s Health Minister, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, on Friday, November 1, 2024, emphasizing the importance of empowering healthcare workers with the right tools.
“It is not enough to have skilled personnel; it is important to empower them with the tools to work,” Ambassador Popp stated, highlighting the U.S. government’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s health sector.
The donation is part of a broader U.S. government initiative, which includes a $4 million investment aimed at enhancing surveillance, risk communication, coordination, and contact tracing in Uganda.
Minister Aceng expressed gratitude for the U.S. government’s support, assuring that Uganda is committed to controlling the Mpox outbreak ¹. “Uganda is doing all it takes and is committed to bringing the Mpox outbreak to an end as soon as possible. The Ministry of Health is in charge, and there is no cause for alarm or fear,” Dr. Aceng said.
The test kits will be distributed between the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and Uganda National Health Laboratory Services (UNHLS), the country’s primary facilities for Mpox testing.
This contribution adds to the 10,000 test kits already provided by the U.S. CDC since the outbreak began ¹. The U.S. government has been instrumental in advancing Uganda’s health security systems, with significant improvements in diagnostic and laboratory capacity since 2017’.
Uganda’s Mpox Outbreak
As of September 23, 2024, Uganda had reported 25 cumulative confirmed cases of Mpox across several districts ². The country declared an outbreak on August 2, 2024, after confirming two cases in Kasese district.
International Support
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also donated 5,000 mpox sample collection kits to Uganda, valued at $15,135 (approximately UGX 56 million) ² ³ ⁴. The German government provided funding for the donation through the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies
