Kampala, Republic of Uganda, the 9th April 2026

The Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC), together with its consortium partners: the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Gorilla Doctors; today officially received a batch of operational vehicles from the World Bank; supported Pandemic Fund. The handover ceremony took place in Kampala, marking a significant milestone in strengthening One Health-based pandemic preparedness and response in Uganda within the Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL).

The vehicles are part of the Strengthening One Health-Based Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in the Greater Virunga Landscape (SOHGVL) project, a regional initiative designed to address the growing risk of zoonotic diseases at the human–animal–environment interface. Funded by the World Bank Group Pandemic Fund and implemented by FAO, WHO, and UNICEF as implementing entities and GVTC, WWF, Gorilla Doctors, IGCP and IUCN as delivery partners. The project supports cross-border efforts in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Supporting Frontline One Health Work

The newly delivered vehicles will be distributed to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Gorilla Doctors, and WWF to enhance mobility and operational efficiency across protected areas and surrounding communities in the Greater Virunga Landscape. The fleet will play a critical role in supporting disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, field diagnostics, routine monitoring, and coordinated response actions; particularly in remote areas with high human-wildlife interaction.

The Greater Virunga Landscape is a globally significant biodiversity hotspot shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC. It is also a region where increasing population pressure, habitat fragmentation, and close contact between people, livestock, and wildlife elevate the risk of zoonotic disease spillover. Past outbreaks of Ebola, Marburg, COVID-19, and Mpox have demonstrated the urgent need for integrated and proactive pandemic preparedness systems across the landscape.

A One Health Approach to Pandemic Preparedness

The SOHGVL project adopts a One Health approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecosystem health. The initiative focuses on strengthening collaborative surveillance systems, enhancing early warning and rapid response mechanisms, and building the capacity of institutions and frontline workers across the human, animal, and environmental sectors.

By improving field mobility, the vehicles will enable faster detection of emerging and re-emerging diseases in both wildlife and human populations, facilitate laboratory sample collection and transport, and support real-time cross-border information sharing—an essential component in a landscape where ecosystems and disease threats do not respect national boundaries.

Regional Collaboration and Long-Term Impact

The project is implemented under the regional coordination framework of the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC), which brings together conservation authorities and technical partners across the three countries. Delivery partners; including GVTC, WWF, and Gorilla Doctors; work closely with government ministries, national One Health platforms, protected area authorities, and community-based organisations to strengthen preparedness at all levels.

Covering 11 districts in western Uganda, alongside targeted districts in Rwanda and the DRC, the 31‑month project (June 2025 – December 2027) aims to improve multisectoral coordination, enhance surveillance and laboratory capacity, reduce zoonotic disease risks, and build resilient health systems within the Greater Virunga Landscape.

Looking Ahead

The Kampala vehicle handover represents a concrete investment in frontline readiness and a practical demonstration of global-to-local collaboration in pandemic preparedness. As implementation continues across the landscape, similar support is expected to follow in neighboring countries, with the Democratic Republic of Congo next in line under the regional roll-out of project assets.

By strengthening logistics, coordination, and field capacity, the SOHGVL project positions the Greater Virunga Landscape as a regional model for One Health-based pandemic prevention and response, contributing to global health security while safeguarding biodiversity and community livelihoods.

Keep tuned for the next phase of implementation across the Greater Virunga Landscape.

Report by:

Juvenal Mukeshimana

GVTC Program Assistant