Sweden provides SEK 20 million to Uganda’s Ebola response
Published
On Monday 17 March, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa visited Uganda’s crisis centre – which is established in the event of major disease outbreaks – in response to the ongoing spread of the Ebola virus in the country. Sweden is providing SEK 20 million to Uganda’s Ebola response, to be channelled through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
“Ebola is a deadly disease that can spread quickly. Sweden and other donors play an important role in assisting partner countries during infectious outbreaks. This has become even more crucial since the United States, which has been a major donor to health-related efforts, paused large parts of its support. That’s why we’re providing support to Uganda’s Ebola response within our bilateral cooperation,” says Mr Dousa.
On 30 January 2025, Uganda declared its eighth Ebola outbreak, with 12 confirmed cases including two deaths to date. The Ugandan Government’s response together with partner organisations has been resolute, with early vaccination within the framework of clinical trials, and regular and extensive contact tracing and isolation of people who have been in contact with individuals infected with Ebola. Unlike previous Ebola outbreaks, this outbreak’s known infections are primarily located in the metropolis of Uganda, which could entail additional risks and challenges for the response.
Sweden’s development cooperation with Uganda
In 2024, Sweden’s overall development assistance channelled to Uganda through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) amounted to SEK 377 million, of which SEK 41 million was humanitarian assistance. The Swedish Government has adopted a new Strategy for Sweden’s development cooperation with Uganda totalling SEK 1.5 billion for the period 2025–2029. One of its three overall objectives is improved health for the most vulnerable.
Sweden’s support for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)
The Government is investing SEK 4.3 billion in health and strengthened SRHR. The Strategy focuses on the most vulnerable people with the greatest needs in low- and middle-income countries such as Uganda. This support is channelled via Sida to multilateral, regional, national and local partners with the objective of creating change and improvement in individual countries – for women, girls and other people in particularly vulnerable situations.
Press contact
Press Secretary to Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa
Phone (switchboard) +46 8 405 10 00
Mobile +46 76 133 67 90
email to Linn Laurin
