Remarks at Handover Ceremony of Ebola Personal Protective Equipment

Salutations:

• The Honourable Minister of State for Health (Primary Health Care), Dr. Charles Ayume, representing the Honourable Minister of Health
• The Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, United States Embassy, Ms.  Jessica Healey
• The WFP Representative and Country Director, Ms. Wanja Kaaria
• The UNICEF Deputy Representative, Ms. Susan Southern
• Senior Officials of the Ministry of Health and National Medical Stores
• Our host, the Director of Africa Global Logistics
• UN Colleagues
• Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

Today, we gather not only to hand overprotective equipment, but to reaffirm a shared promise - to protect those who protect us.  Let me begin by congratulating the Government and people of Uganda, Ministry of Health, our partners, health workers and communities whose vigilance, courage and cooperation contained the Ebola outbreak in Uganda in record time, which is a demonstration of the capacity and expertise in Uganda.

This success was collective. The United Nations System in Uganda stood firmly behind the national response. In May, the United Nations Country Team and humanitarian partners issued a joint emergency appeal for 15.8 million dollars to strengthen case management, infection prevention and control, surveillance, risk communication, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene and logistics. The people and Government of the United States of America responded to the appeal and we a convey our gratitude.

Our success must, however, not mean complacency. The threat has not disappeared. In eastern DRC, the outbreak continues, with more than 8,000 confirmed cases and 4000 confirmed deaths. Cross-border trade and family ties mean that Uganda remains at risk.  For health workers, personal protective equipment is the first line of defence. By replenishing national supplies now, Uganda can respond within hours, not weeks, when the next alert comes.

It is in that spirit of urgency and preparedness that, on behalf of the United Nations family in Uganda, I once again thank the Government and people of the United States of America for this 3.5 million dollar contribution of Personal Protective Equipment. This generous support builds on 75 million dollars (about 280 billion Uganda shillings) provided this year by the United States to the Uganda Humanitarian Fund, managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs based in the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office with the Resident Coordinator as the Accounting Officer. That funding supports food, nutrition, health, protection, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene for refugees, host communities and families facing malnutrition.

This commitment extends across the region. The United States has pledged 887 million dollars in health and humanitarian assistance in response to the Ebola epidemic, including a further 267 million dollars announced at the UN General Assembly on 23 September 2026. These are not merely figures; they represent protection, preparedness and lives saved.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today’s handover also shows what becomes possible when the United Nations delivers as one. WFP and UNICEF combined their procurement capacity and supply chains to deliver for the Ministry of Health and National Medical Stores, while World Health Organization (WHO) continues to provide direct technical support to the Ministry of Health on emergencies, and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office coordinates all humanitarian actors involved in the response including international and national Non-Governmental Organizations. Different mandates; one purpose.  A safer, better-prepared Uganda.

On behalf of the United Nations System in Uganda, I also thank the Ministry of Health, National Medical Stores and Africa Center for Diseases Control (CDC) for their steadfast collaboration in containing the outbreak and sustaining prevention efforts. Preparedness is not the work of an institution; it is a chain of trust, coordination and action - and every link matters.

As we look ahead, our commitment is clear. The United Nations System in Uganda will continue to support the Government of Uganda in implementing the Fourth National Development Plan through the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2026 - 2030. Together, we will keep strengthening Government-led systems so that Uganda is ready - not only for the next health emergency, but for the future we all seek: a healthier, safer and more resilient nation.

Thank you all.