The Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) has officially been designated as the East African Community (EAC) Regional Centre of Excellence for Virology, marking a historic milestone for Uganda and the region in the fight against emerging and re-emerging viral diseases.
The announcement has been made today at a high-level event in Arusha, Tanzania, during the launch of Phase III of the EAC Regional Network of Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases Project.
This recognition cements UVRI's role in combating major health threats such as Ebola, Marburg, and COVID-19 across the East African region.
In his keynote address, Prof. Pontiano Kaleebu, Director of UVRI, hailed the recognition as a significant moment not just for the institute but for Uganda as a whole.
“Today is a very important and historical day for Uganda Virus Research Institute and Uganda at large,” said Prof. Kaleebu. “We are pleased and honoured that UVRI has become the EAC Regional Centre of Excellence for Virology. This recognition reaffirms our legacy and future as a leading institution in virus research in the region.”
Founded in 1936 as the Yellow Fever Research Institute under the Rockefeller Foundation, UVRI has grown into one of Africa’s premier institutions for virus research.
Over the past 89 years, it has discovered over 20 previously unknown viruses and more than 130 new strains or variants of known viruses including the now world famous West Nile and Zika viruses.
Between 1961 and 1974, UVRI operated under the East African Common Services as the East African Virus Research Institute before becoming a national institute following the collapse of the East African Community.
As part of its new designation, UVRI will implement key activities with funding from the German government, including:
Establishment of a BSL-3 laboratory and modern genome sequencing platforms to bolster regional diagnostics capabilities.
Development of quality assurance and control services, including the production of proficiency testing panels and diagnostic kits for epidemic-prone diseases.
Training programs in viral genome sequencing, bioinformatics, and genomic epidemiology for EAC Partner States.
Strengthening regional collaboration in specialised diagnostic services and detection of novel pathogens.
Prof. Kaleebu expressed gratitude to the EAC Secretariat, the German development agency KfW, Uganda’s Ministry of Health, the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, and UVRI's partners including MRC/UVRI & LSHTM, IAVI, USA CDC, NIH, and other institutions under the National Public Health Laboratories.
“We pledge to play our part and look forward to working with EAC partner states and stakeholders to strengthen virology capacity across the region,” he added.
This development positions Uganda at the forefront of scientific research and epidemic preparedness in East Africa, reinforcing the country’s commitment to public health and global health security.