Uganda Trains 78 One Health Responders in WHO-Led Emergency Programme

Uganda has taken a significant step in strengthening its national capacity to respond to public health emergencies by training a multidisciplinary team of 78 responders under the AVoHC-SURGE (African Volunteers Health Corps – Strengthening and Utilizing Response Groups for Emergencies) programme. The initiative, led by the World Health Organization (WHO) with funding support from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), is a flagship component of WHO’s Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) strategy in Africa.

This groundbreaking training, implemented in partnership with the Government of Uganda, reflects the One Health approach, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in managing and preventing complex disease outbreaks.

A Multisectoral, National-Scale Response Initiative

The WHO-led programme convened 78 participants from a wide spectrum of Ugandan institutions and sectors, including:

• The Ministry of Health

• The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries

• The Ministry of Internal Affairs

• The Uganda Defence Forces

• District-level government units and local authorities

The training ensures that Uganda’s emergency response is truly multidisciplinary, a vital characteristic when managing threats such as Ebola, Marburg virus, cholera, anthrax, and other zoonotic and climate-related diseases.

Dr. Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Representative to Uganda, lauded the government’s commitment:

“This training equips Uganda with the human capacity to respond quickly and decisively when emergencies occur. I commend the Ministry of Health for its leadership and commitment to strengthening emergency readiness.”

Intensive Training Modules and Real-Life Simulations

Participants underwent an intensive training regime that blended theoretical knowledge with hands-on field simulations. Topics included:

• Outbreak investigation and management

• Rapid risk assessment

• Inter-agency coordination protocols

• Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention

• Prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH)

• Field deployment logistics and safety protocols

These exercises were designed to mimic the pressures and unpredictability of actual public health crises, equipping responders to work under stress, communicate across disciplines, and lead community-centered interventions with cultural and contextual sensitivity.

Dr. Andama Adinani, a participant from a district local government, shared his experience:

“I gained critical skills in rapid response, coordination, and outbreak investigation, which empower me to protect lives and build stronger, safer communities.”

One Health in Action: Collaboration Across Ministries

The inclusion of representatives from multiple ministries is not just symbolic; it is a recognition of the practical reality that no single sector can address public health emergencies alone. Zoonotic diseases and environmental threats do not respect institutional boundaries, and Uganda’s commitment to the One Health model ensures a unified, whole-of-government approach.

Lubwama Benard, Deputy Incident Commander at the Ministry of Health, captured the essence of this collaboration:

“Preparedness is an investment in the future. Every skill gained here, every relationship built across ministries, will help us act faster, smarter, and more effectively to protect Ugandans.”

Uganda Among Leading African Nations in Emergency Preparedness

Uganda’s successful completion of the AVoHC-SURGE training places it among 27 African countries that have rolled out the initiative, out of a total of 30 targeted under WHO’s Africa-wide strategy. The trained responders have now been included in the continental database of deployable emergency personnel, ready to be mobilised in both national and cross-border crises.

The initiative is part of WHO’s broader efforts to build a resilient African health emergency workforce, equipped to respond to increasing threats from pandemics, climate-related disasters, antimicrobial resistance, and more.

A Regional Model for Emergency Preparedness

The Ugandan experience provides a replicable model for other African nations. By integrating a wide array of stakeholders—from veterinary services to environmental protection, from health ministries to defense forces—the programme demonstrates the operational potential of the One Health approach.

The training also aligns with WHO’s vision of localising response capacity, ensuring that countries are not reliant solely on external actors during crises. Instead, a cadre of trained, coordinated, and locally embedded responders can act swiftly and effectively in the early stages of an outbreak—often the most critical period for containment.

Next Steps and Long-Term Impact

With the successful training of 78 responders now complete, the Government of Uganda and WHO plan to:

• Conduct refresher simulations and scenario drills throughout the year

• Establish rapid deployment protocols and stockpiles

• Integrate trained responders into district-level health emergency plans

• Strengthen community engagement frameworks and early warning systems

In the words of WHO Africa, “Preparedness saves lives”—and Uganda is now better equipped than ever to meet the health challenges of today and tomorrow.