FAMReports News Desk | August 2026
Standard Chartered Bank Uganda has donated US$50,000, approximately Shs 186 million, to Save the Children International Uganda to strengthen Ebola prevention, community preparedness and public health awareness following Uganda’s declaration as Ebola free.
The contribution is intended to support children, families and frontline communities that remain vulnerable to the social and health consequences of public health emergencies.
The funding will support risk communication and community engagement, infection prevention and control, early detection and referral, community awareness and mobilisation, and the dissemination of trusted health information.
The partnership comes less than a month after Uganda was officially declared Ebola free by the Ministry of Health on 28 July 2026, following the conclusion of the country’s response to the 2026 Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
– Donor: Standard Chartered Bank Uganda.
– Recipient: Save the Children International Uganda.
– Donation: US$50,000, approximately Shs 186 million.
– Purpose: Ebola prevention, preparedness and community protection.
– Key beneficiaries: Children, families and frontline communities.
– Main interventions: Risk communication, community engagement, infection prevention and control, early detection, referral and health awareness.
– Uganda’s Ebola status: The country was officially declared Ebola free on 28 July 2026.
– 2026 outbreak: Uganda recorded 20 confirmed cases, with 18 recoveries and two deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.
Standard Chartered backs continued Ebola preparedness
Speaking during the handover, Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Acting Chief Executive Officer Charles Katongole commended the government, Ministry of Health, frontline health workers, communities and development partners for their role in containing the outbreak. Katongole said maintaining Uganda’s Ebola free status would require continued vigilance and preparedness.
“We commend the Government of Uganda, the Ministry of Health, frontline health workers, communities and partners for the leadership that enabled Uganda to be declared Ebola free. Protecting this achievement requires continued vigilance and preparedness.”
He said the bank’s contribution would enable Save the Children to work with government and communities to strengthen prevention measures and protect children and families.
The donation comes at a time when health authorities continue to emphasise that being declared Ebola free does not eliminate the need for surveillance, preparedness and community awareness.
Funding to strengthen community protection
The Shs 186 million contribution will support activities designed to help communities recognise potential Ebola symptoms, understand prevention measures and seek medical care early.
The supported interventions include:
– Risk communication and community engagement.
– Infection prevention and control.
– Early detection and referral.
– Community awareness and mobilisation.
– Dissemination of trusted health information.
– Community preparedness for future public health emergencies.
The approach places communities at the centre of prevention by ensuring that people have accurate information and know how to respond when potential symptoms or health threats emerge.
The Ministry of Health has similarly emphasised the importance of risk communication and community engagement following the Ebola outbreak, including efforts to counter misinformation and improve public understanding of health risks.
Uganda declared Ebola free after 2026 outbreak
Uganda’s latest Ebola outbreak was officially declared on 15 May 2026 after infected individuals entered the country from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Ministry of Health said Uganda was officially declared Ebola free on 28 July after completing the required outbreak response measures and recording no further transmission.
The last confirmed Ebola patient was discharged on 16 June 2026, after which Uganda completed the required monitoring period without evidence of additional transmission.
The outbreak was caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus. The Ministry of Health reported that all confirmed cases were epidemiologically linked and that enhanced surveillance found no evidence of undetected community transmission.
Save the Children welcomes partnership
Save the Children International Uganda welcomed the contribution, describing sustained community engagement and preparedness as essential to protecting children and families.
Acting Country Director Martha Ddambya said keeping Uganda Ebola free would require continued access to trusted information, early detection and strong cooperation between government, communities and development partners.
“We welcome Standard Chartered Bank Uganda’s support at this critical time. Keeping Uganda Ebola free requires sustained community engagement, trusted information, early detection and strong collaboration with Government and partners.”
Ddambya said the contribution would help reach children, families and frontline communities with information and support needed to remain safe and resilient.
She also noted that the effects of Ebola outbreaks can extend beyond the immediate health emergency, affecting children’s education, protection, nutrition and access to essential services.
Private sector joins national health security efforts
The partnership demonstrates the growing role of private sector organisations in supporting public health preparedness alongside government and humanitarian agencies.
The Ministry of Health has repeatedly relied on collaboration with development partners and other stakeholders during the Ebola response, with partners supporting different areas of the national response.
For Standard Chartered, the donation forms part of a broader corporate commitment to community development and resilience.
Katongole said the bank’s support for health programmes is being complemented by financing for national development priorities.
According to the bank, it has arranged financing for four government projects worth €752 million, covering power transmission, water and sanitation, critical roads and tourism linked infrastructure.
The bank said these investments and its community programmes are intended to contribute to Uganda’s economic development and resilience.
Standard Chartered highlights wider community investment
Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing Margaret Kigozi said the bank’s long term presence in Uganda has included support for health initiatives, youth entrepreneurship and employment creation.
“For 114 years, Standard Chartered Uganda has lived up to its brand promise of being Here for good for our clients, colleagues and communities.”
Kigozi said the partnership with Save the Children reflects the bank’s continued commitment to improving the welfare of Ugandans and supporting thriving communities.
The contribution is aligned with the Standard Chartered Foundation’s focus on economic inclusion, resilience and wellbeing for underserved communities, according to information released about the initiative.
Why continued vigilance matters
Uganda’s declaration as Ebola free represents an important public health milestone, but health authorities continue to emphasise preparedness.
The 2026 outbreak demonstrated how quickly an imported infection can create a national public health emergency and how important early detection, surveillance, infection prevention and community cooperation are to containing transmission.
The Ministry of Health reported that Uganda recorded 20 confirmed cases, including 18 recoveries and two deaths, during the outbreak.
The ministry has also continued working with partners to strengthen risk communication following the declaration, including training and engagement with media practitioners and district information officers.
The Standard Chartered and Save the Children partnership therefore comes at a point when Uganda is shifting from outbreak response towards sustained preparedness and resilience.
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