Standard Chartered Bank Uganda has donated Shs186 million to Save the Children International Uganda to support Ebola prevention, community awareness and preparedness following Uganda’s declaration as Ebola-free.
The $50,000 contribution will support efforts targeting children, families and frontline communities, with a focus on preventing a resurgence of the disease and strengthening preparedness for future public health emergencies.
The funding will be used for risk communication and community engagement, infection prevention and control, early detection and referral, community mobilisation and dissemination of trusted health information.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Standard Chartered Bank Uganda acting chief executive officer Charles Katongole commended the Government, Ministry of Health, health workers, communities and development partners for their role in containing the outbreak and securing Uganda’s Ebola-free status.
“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,” Katongole said.
He said the donation would enable Save the Children to work with government and communities to strengthen prevention measures and protect children and families from future health threats.
The contribution is also part of Standard Chartered Foundation’s focus on economic inclusion, resilience and wellbeing among underserved communities, recognising that public health emergencies can have consequences beyond illness, particularly for vulnerable households.
Katongole said the bank’s support for public health was part of a broader commitment to Uganda’s development agenda.
“Beyond public health support, we remain focused on financing national priorities that improve lives and unlock opportunities,” he said.
He added that the bank had this year arranged financing for four government projects worth €752 million, equivalent to about Shs3.27 trillion, covering power transmission, water and sanitation, roads and tourism-related infrastructure.
“These investments, together with our community programmes, demonstrate our commitment to supporting Uganda’s Ten-Fold Growth Agenda by helping build healthier, more resilient and more productive communities,” Katongole said.
Focus on children
Save the Children Uganda welcomed the contribution, saying sustained community engagement and preparedness would be critical in protecting children and families from future outbreaks.
Acting Country Director Martha Ddambya said the organisation would use the support to strengthen access to accurate health information and improve community preparedness.
“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.
She said Ebola outbreaks can disrupt children’s education, protection, nutrition and access to essential services, making preparedness important beyond the immediate health response.
“This contribution will help us reach children, families and frontline communities with the knowledge and support they need to stay safe, while helping protect children’s ability to survive, learn and thrive,” she said.
The programme will work alongside government, communities and other partners to strengthen awareness and ensure families can access reliable information and respond appropriately to potential health threats.
Government welcomes partnership
Ministry of Health Commissioner for Reproductive and Child Health Dr Richard Mugahi, who presided over the event as chief guest, said government welcomed partnerships between the public sector, private companies and humanitarian organisations.
“Government welcomes partnerships that bring together public leadership, private-sector capability and humanitarian expertise to advance the public good,” Mugahi said.
He commended Standard Chartered and Save the Children for supporting national preparedness and community protection at a time when maintaining Uganda’s Ebola-free status remains a shared responsibility.
Mugahi said such partnerships complement government efforts to protect children, families and frontline health workers while strengthening health systems and community resilience.
The contribution builds on Standard Chartered Uganda’s previous collaborations with Save the Children and its wider community investment programmes.
Margaret Kigozi, the bank’s head of corporate affairs, brand and marketing, said the partnership reflected the bank’s long-standing commitment to supporting communities.
“For 114 years, Standard Chartered Uganda has lived to its brand promise of being ‘Here for good’ for our clients, colleagues and communities,” Kigozi said.
She said the bank had supported various initiatives targeting health, young entrepreneurs and employment, adding that such interventions were intended to contribute to stronger and more resilient communities.
The latest support comes as Uganda seeks to maintain its Ebola-free status and strengthen its ability to respond to future outbreaks through stronger community surveillance, trusted health information and collaboration between government, communities, humanitarian organisations and the private sector.
