In a significant gesture of support, the Swedish government has announced a commitment of SEK 20 million (approximately $23.7 million) to help Uganda combat its ongoing Ebola outbreak. The announcement was made on Monday, March 17, as Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa visited Uganda's crisis center in response to the growing health crisis.
Sweden is providing this support through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), highlighting the importance of global cooperation in addressing infectious diseases. The donation marks a significant increase in Sweden's overall development assistance to Uganda, which stood at SEK 377 million in 2024, including SEK 41 million in humanitarian aid.
The Ebola outbreak in Uganda, declared on January 30, 2025, has seen 12 confirmed cases, with two deaths to date. The Ugandan Government's response has been robust, involving early vaccination and extensive contact tracing and isolation of individuals who have come into contact with infected patients.
However, the outbreak's known infections are concentrated in urban areas, posing additional challenges for the response. Sweden's support aims to complement the existing efforts and contribute to improving health outcomes for the most vulnerable populations in Uganda.
Sweden's development cooperation with Uganda is focused on improving health and strengthening sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The country has committed SEK 4.3 billion to this effort, which will be channeled through various partners to create change and improvement at the national and local levels.
This donation highlights Sweden's commitment to supporting partner countries during infectious outbreaks, a role it plays alongside other donors in addressing global health crises.
Key Facts:
SEK 20 million (approximately $23.7 million) provided by Sweden to Uganda's Ebola response through UNICEF
This support complements the existing efforts of the Ugandan Government and partner organizations
The donation is part of Sweden's overall commitment to improving health and SRHR in low- and middle-income countries
SEK 377 million was channelled to Uganda through Sweden's International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) in 2024
Conclusion: Sweden's pledge demonstrates its continued commitment to supporting global efforts to combat infectious diseases. By providing this vital funding, the country aims to contribute to improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations in Uganda and promote sustainable development in the region.