Uganda Commits to Saving Lives with First Emergency Medicine Report and National Celebration
In a landmark celebration of World Emergency Medicine Day, Uganda’s Ministry of Health—together with Seed Global Health—hosted a national event at Millennium Grounds in Kampala and launched the country’s first comprehensive Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Report. The day marked three major milestones: Uganda’s inaugural national recognition of emergency medicine, the unveiling of a report that assesses both progress and persistent gaps, and a bold commitment by Seed to help train 120 emergency medicine physicians by 2030 in alignment with the Ministry’s national strategy.
The event drew more than 350 participants, including Ministry officials, development partners, NGOs, academics, healthcare professionals, and Bodaboda (motorcycle taxi) riders and underscoring the wide-reaching relevance of emergency care and the unified momentum behind this initiative.
The urgency is clear. In 2023 alone, Uganda recorded nearly 134,000 emergency cases. Trauma and injuries made up 17% of those, and infections 14.3%. Road traffic incidents caused a more than 4,000 deaths, demonstrating the critical need for a strong, integrated EMS system.
The day began with a march from the Ministry of Health to Millennium Grounds, calling public attention to the importance of emergency response. Attendees later toured exhibitions showcasing innovations and resources currently transforming Uganda’s emergency care landscape.
“Upcountry hospitals remain significantly under-resourced, lacking both specialists and the capacity to manage emergencies,” said Irene Atuhairwe, Seed Global Health’s Uganda country director. “Training more people is essential.”
Dr. John Baptist Waniaye, commissioner of Emergency Medical Services at the Ministry of Health, emphasized how far Uganda has come, and how vital continued partnership will be. “We have been developing a system that manages a patient from the scene, through transportation, to receiving care at a facility,” he said. “The human resources, infrastructure, and skills required demand deep collaboration and engagement from multiple partners to strengthen and sustain it.”
With only 25 emergency medicine doctors currently serving nearly 50 million Ugandans, the release of the EMS report and the shared commitments made on World Emergency Medicine Day represent a pivotal moment. Together, Uganda’s leaders and partners are charting a more resilient, lifesaving path forward.
