The Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) have built a state-of-the-art biosafety-level 2-plus laboratory in Mbuya aimed at modernizing its health facilities.
The facility that was launched on Monday, August 12, 2024, is the first of its kind among armed forces in the East African region.
Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, Deputy Chief of Defense Forces, who inaugurated the laboratory on behalf of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), emphasized the commitment to addressing biological threats beyond infectious diseases.
“The laboratory is a crucial strategic asset for the force’s health protection and the importance of identifying and mitigating known and anticipated threats to the troops,” Lt Gen. Okiding said.
He added that the laboratory is equipped with an advanced molecular and immunological platform and will analyze samples from over twenty sentinel sites across Uganda and from locations where UPDF troops are deployed, including Somalia, Equatorial Guinea, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The newly established laboratory is part of a broader network dedicated to monitoring emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, including highly infectious viruses such as Ebola, Marburg, yellow fever, and dengue, as well as other diseases pertinent to military operations.
Major General Dr. Ambrose Musinguzi, the Joint Staff Health Services, expressed gratitude to H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, for providing the necessary funding for the laboratory.
“This initiative aligns with the President’s vision to modernize the army and enhance medical research capabilities, Maj. Gen. Musinguzi said.
Dr. Allan Muruta, Commissioner of Surveillance in the Ministry of Health, who represented the Director General of Health Services, commended the collaborative efforts between the UPDF and the Ministry of Health.
He assured the UPDF leadership of the Ministry of ongoing support in healthcare delivery, particularly in the realm of global health.
The establishment of this laboratory not only enhances the UPDF’s operational readiness but also strengthens the country’s capacity to respond to potential health threats, ensuring the safety and well-being of both military personnel and the civilian population.
