UVRI’s 90-year journey from Yellow Fever to Zika Virus and beyond

What the report says

The Independent Uganda reports that the Uganda Virus Research Institute marked its 90th anniversary on July 22 at its Entebbe campus, with senior officials, scientists, researchers and partners attending. The event also included the unveiling of a new regional polio laboratory and the formal launch of UVRI as the East African Community Centre of Excellence for Virology, expanding its regional role in outbreak preparedness and response.

Founded in 1936 as the Yellow Fever Research Institute during British colonial rule with Rockefeller Foundation support, the institute later became the East African Virus Research Institute before taking its current name in 1977. The report highlights UVRI’s role in the identification and study of major pathogens, including Zika virus, first isolated in Uganda’s Zika Forest in 1947, and West Nile virus, identified in Uganda in 1937. Prof. Pontiano Kaleebu, UVRI’s director, said more than 40 viruses have been isolated or identified through work connected to the institute.

The Independent also notes UVRI’s work on HIV, Ebola, Marburg, Rift Valley fever, polio and other emerging or re-emerging infections. It says the institute helped train generations of scientists and contributed to HIV vaccine research, including Africa’s first HIV vaccine evaluation trial. Around the anniversary, officials cited improved laboratory capacity, including faster testing for dangerous pathogens such as Ebola and Marburg.

According to the report, President Yoweri Museveni’s message, delivered by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, framed the new regional designation as a responsibility to East Africa. The broader issue raised by UVRI scientists is whether African institutions can move beyond detecting threats to developing vaccines, diagnostics and treatments for future outbreaks.