Uganda's UVRI Named East Africa's Regional Centre of Excellence in Virology - Time News
The East African Community (EAC) has officially designated theUganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI)as the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence in Virology. Launched in Entebbe on Wednesday, July 22, the Centre. . .
The East African Community (EAC) has officially designated theUganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI)as the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence in Virology. Launched in Entebbe on Wednesday, July 22, the Centre will serve as a regional hub for advanced virology research, disease surveillance, diagnostics, knowledge sharing, and specialised laboratory training. The designation was officiated by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, representing President Yoweri Museveni, during celebrations marking the 90th anniversary of UVRI. The institute, established in 1936, has a history of contributing to responses for major outbreaks, including COVID-19 and Ebola, and has earned international recognition as one of Africa’s leading virology institutions. Regional Health Security and Strategic FrameworkThe UVRI facility is one of seven specialised regional medical diagnostic centres of excellence established under the EAC Health Investment Priority Framework (2018-2028), a plan endorsed by the 19th Summit of EAC Heads of State. According to Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, these centres are designed to ensure that scientific expertise and capabilities developed in one Partner State become shared resources for all East Africans. Photo: China Daily Global EditionThe launch comes amid ongoing public health threats, including an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, an EAC member. EAC Chairperson of the Council of Ministers Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga stated that the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that disease outbreaks do not respect national borders, underscoring the necessity for stronger regional collaboration. Operational Goals and CapabilitiesAs a regional hub, UVRI is expected to play a key role in genomic surveillance and research on emerging viruses. UVRI Director Prof. Pontiano Kaleebu stated that the Centre will improve the ability of Partner States to detect, confirm, and respond to viral diseases through coordinated scientific expertise and stronger laboratory systems. He noted that the institute already supports the confirmation of laboratory samples from Partner States and assists in rapid outbreak response. Photo: NilepostThe Centre will further advance the EAC “One Health” approach, which promotes collaboration across the environmental, animal, and human health sectors. It also builds upon existing initiatives, such as the EAC Mobile Laboratory Network and the EAC Regional Network of Reference Laboratories established in 2017, which reduced laboratory test turnaround times from 72 hours to eight hours. International Support and InfrastructureThe operationalisation of the Centre was supported by the Government of Germany through KfW, with technical assistance from the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM). Jan Alber, the KfW Country Director, announced that six container-based laboratories are being procured to support antimicrobial resistance surveillance and disease diagnostics. Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) Unveiled as EAC Regional Centre for Excellence in VirologyAdditionally, the 90th anniversary celebrations included the handover of a new WHO-accredited polio sequencing laboratory to strengthen diagnostic capacity. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted a collaboration with UVRI spanning more than 70 years, focusing on immunization initiatives, laboratory strengthening, and disease control. Summary of UVRI Regional RoleCore FunctionRegional ImpactAdvanced ResearchFocus on emerging and re-emerging viral diseases like Marburg and EbolaLaboratory TrainingProviding specialised technical support and expertise to EAC Partner StatesSurveillanceEnhancing genomic surveillance and early detection of pathogensKnowledge SharingActing as a reference institution for the eight-member EACWorth a lookMOG Antibody Disorder Diagnosis Evolves with New Diagnostic AdvancesGeriatric Emergency Departments Reduce Hospital Readmissions for Elderly PatientsRelatedGrace ChenBoard-certified physician and medical writer. Translates research into practical health advice and public-health coverage.