UWA Takes Lead In Uganda’s Fight Against Emerging Disease Threats

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has taken over leadership of Uganda’s National One Health Platform, with a focus on strengthening disease surveillance, improving outbreak preparedness and enhancing cooperation between institutions responsible for human, animal and environmental health.

The leadership transition took place at Golden Tulip Hotel in Kampala, following the Ministry of Water and Environment’s tenure at the helm of the platform. The change comes as Uganda continues to address health threats that require coordinated action across multiple sectors.

Under its new leadership, UWA plans to strengthen disease monitoring systems, improve preparedness and response to outbreaks, expand One Health coordination teams at subnational level and accelerate the development of a comprehensive national One Health policy.

Commissioner for Legal and Corporate Affairs Chemonges Sabila Mongea, representing UWA Executive Director Dr James Musinguzi, reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to the initiative, pointing to the connection between wildlife conservation and the health of surrounding communities.

“The health of our wildlife is inextricably linked to the health of our communities,” Mongea said.

Other priorities include finalising a proposal to the Pandemic Fund, mobilising resources, strengthening research partnerships and improving information sharing among institutions involved in disease prevention and response.

The Ministry of Water and Environment, which handed over leadership, reported progress during its tenure, including stronger multisectoral coordination and training for approximately 67 district health teams across the country.

Dr Alfred Okot Okidi, the ministry’s permanent secretary, represented the outgoing leadership and highlighted the importance of sustaining cooperation among government institutions and development partners.

Despite the progress, the platform continues to face challenges, including recurring zoonotic disease outbreaks, inadequate funding and gaps in information sharing among participating institutions.

The outgoing leadership also pointed to emerging concerns such as antimicrobial resistance, climate-related zoonotic diseases and health risks associated with expanding oil, gas and mining activities.

Established in 2016, the National One Health Platform brings together government ministries, agencies and development partners to coordinate responses to threats affecting people, animals and the environment.

The handover brought together representatives from ministries responsible for health, agriculture, animal industry and fisheries, and water and environment, alongside development partners including UNICEF, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Health Organization, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, GIZ, FHI 360, the World Wide Fund for Nature and other organisations.

UWA’s leadership is expected to strengthen early detection of disease threats, improve institutional coordination and advance efforts to protect communities, wildlife and the environment.

The effectiveness of the transition will depend on sustained funding, timely information sharing and the ability of participating institutions to translate national priorities into coordinated action across the country.

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