East African governments, working with global health and conservation agencies, have unveiled a US$24.5 million One Health project aimed at protecting the Greater Virunga region from emerging pandemics. The initiative comes at a time when the world is grappling with the costly lessons of COVID-19, underscoring the need to invest in prevention rather than crisis response.
The project funded through the World Bank’s Pandemic Fund will be rolled out across Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It seeks to strengthen surveillance, improve cross-border coordination, and reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases spilling over from wildlife to people.
Officials say the Greater Virunga landscape, which supports millions of people and is home to endangered species like mountain gorillas, is particularly vulnerable because of the intense interaction between humans, livestock, and wildlife. Outbreaks such as Ebola, Marburg, or Anthrax have historically emerged from similar ecosystems, making the region a global hotspot for health risks.
Under the program, resources will be directed to boosting laboratory capacity, training veterinarians and health workers, enhancing community awareness, and deploying digital surveillance tools. Uganda is expected to receive the largest share of the funding about 40 percent reflecting its central position in the Virunga landscape and its high exposure to cross-border health threats.
At the Kampala launch, Uganda’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa warned that ignoring early warning systems would come at an unbearable cost. He urged countries to view pandemic preparedness as an investment in economic stability, tourism protection, and long-term human security.
The multi-agency effort involves the World Health Organization (WHO), FAO, UNICEF, WWF Uganda, and relevant government ministries from the three countries. By linking human, animal, and environmental health sectors under the One Health approach, leaders hope to build resilience before the next outbreak strikes.