Rwanda and Uganda Join Forces in Cross-Border Epidemic Preparedness Exercise
Rwanda and Uganda are strengthening cross-border health security through a joint emergency preparedness exercise designed to enhance the capacity of their health systems to detect, respond to and manage epidemics and other public health emergencies that could threaten communities on both sides of their shared border.
The three-day exercise will take place at the Gatuna/Katuna border crossing from November 10 to 12, 2026, bringing together the two countries’ Ministries of Health and their partners to test coordination and emergency response mechanisms in the event of a cross-border health threat.
In a statement issued on Sunday, November 8, 2026, Uganda’s Ministry of Health said the exercise would involve simulated emergency scenarios designed to demonstrate how different institutions would respond to a public health incident requiring urgent intervention.
The initiative seeks to strengthen cooperation between the neighbouring countries, particularly in information sharing, coordination of response operations and establishing effective patient referral systems to ensure that people affected by an outbreak or other public health emergency receive timely medical attention.
According to the statement, travellers and members of the public using the Gatuna/Katuna border may witness various activities involving health workers and personnel from other agencies operating at the border during the exercise.
However, Uganda’s Ministry of Health emphasised that the activities would be part of a planned simulation and should not be interpreted as evidence of an actual disease outbreak or public health emergency.
“These activities are part of the exercise and should not be mistaken for a real public health emergency requiring urgent intervention,” the ministry stated.
The exercise is also intended to reinforce measures aimed at protecting public health while ensuring that cross-border movement, trade and other interactions between Rwanda and Uganda continue safely.
Travellers and communities living near the border have been urged to cooperate with the teams participating in the exercise and follow instructions issued by the relevant authorities throughout the three-day operation.
Uganda’s Director General of Health Services, Prof. Charles Olaro, commended health workers, development partners, security agencies and other stakeholders for their contributions to strengthening the country’s capacity to prevent and respond to public health emergencies.
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