Action Against Hunger has received about Shs3.5 billion from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to strengthen Ebola preparedness and prevention efforts in Uganda.
The funding comes as an Ebola Bundibugyo virus outbreak in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo continues to spread closer to the Ugandan border.The additional funding will support disease surveillance, infection prevention and control, community awareness, and health worker training, particularly in high-risk border areas.
Action Against Hunger has been involved in Uganda’s Ebola response since the first case was identified in Kampala on May 15, 2026.Its teams are currently conducting infection prevention and control, risk communication and community engagement, water, sanitation and hygiene, disease surveillance, and coordination activities.
With the new funding, the organisation will continue focusing on high-risk border areas, where health teams are conducting surveillance and screening at key points of entry.Health workers are also being trained on the prevention, detection and response to Ebola Bundibugyo virus.
According to Action Against Hunger, its infection prevention interventions, provision of protective equipment, and training of health workers have strengthened response capacity in more than 50 hospitals in targeted areas.
The organisation is also integrating information about Ebola Bundibugyo virus symptoms, prevention measures, and when to seek medical care into its wider programmes.
These multisectoral interventions reached about 367,000 people last year.In rural communities where access to health information and prevention services can be limited, Action Against Hunger teams are conducting door-to-door awareness activities.
So far, more than 2,000 people have received information and resources directly through these community-based interventions.The organisation says community engagement is important in controlling infectious diseases because residents need accurate information on how transmission can be prevented, how to recognise possible symptoms, and where to seek medical care.
The additional funding will also support coordination among health authorities, communities and humanitarian partners while strengthening surveillance and healthcare preparedness in high-risk areas.
Action Against Hunger says it will continue working with communities and partners in Uganda to improve access to reliable information, strengthen infection prevention measures, and enhance the country’s capacity to respond to the Ebola threat.
