Health in Uganda

As a developing country, health indicators in Uganda lag behind the rest of the world. Recent statistics show that life expectancy at birth in Uganda is around 49 years. Child mortality (death before the age of 5 years) occurred in 140 of every 1000 births. Total health expenditure as a percentage of GDP was 7.4% in 2002.

Uganda was hit very hard by the outbreak of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in East Africa. In the early 1990s, 13% of Ugandan residents had HIV; this had fallen to 4.1% by the end of 2003, the most effective national response to AIDS of any African country (see AIDS in Africa).

In 2003, the Ugandan Ministry of Public Health has reported an outbreak of cholera in Bundibugyo district, with most cases located along the Semliki and Lamia rivers.

Uganda is home to the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) considered one of the most advanced viral research facilities in East Africa.