By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
The Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), which was established in 1936, has marked 90 years of scientific discoveries and global impact with a campaign to plant 90 trees at 90 years.
The Entebbe Municipality Legislator, Hon. Steven Shyaka Gashaija, who officiated the tree planting ceremony at the Virus Research Institute on July 17,2026, challenged management to reduce on reliance on foreign funding but to concentrate much on generating domestic funds.
Hon. Shyaka Gashaija, noted that in the last nine decades, UVRI has protected lives through scientific research, laboratory diagnosis, outbreak investigations, training and innovation.
Shyaka said UVRI story is not a story of building laboratories but a history of Ugandan scientists who have devoted their lives to protecting humanity.
“As a country, we need a strong virus research institute because viruses don’t respect boarders, political affiliation, social status or economic standing. This was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Shyaka added: “Without strong domestic laboratory capacities, Uganda will have to depend excessively on foreign labs hence causing delays at every moment that matters.”
Shyaka further tasked management of UVRI to consider planting fruit trees which he says create community togetherness and solidarity.
Prof. Pontiano Kaleebu, the Executive Director Uganda Virus Research Institute ( UVRI), said in the 90 years of the history of the research institute he heads, they have always valued environmental conservation and that explains why the institute has so many old trees in it’s compound.
“Planting trees will continue with what our earlier generation did, ” Prof. Kaleebu pledged to scale- up Tree planting campaign at the research institute.
Kaleebu, also noted that just like research, every tree begins like a small investment with potential to transform generations.
“As UVRI celebrates 90years of advancing health, we need to plant trees like those before us did which is a living symbol of discoveries, “he said.
The Entebbe Municipality Mayor, Fabrice Brad Rulinda, in his speech read by the Municipal speaker, Senfuka Tamuzadde, said for ninety years, the Uganda Virus Research Institute has stood out as one of Uganda’s greatest national institution through groundbreaking research, disease surveillance, scientific innovation, and partnerships that span the globe. He added that the research institute has protected millions of lives while placing Uganda among the world’s respected contributors to medical science.
“Behind every discovery are dedicated scientists, researchers, technicians, health workers, and support staff whose commitment has strengthened our country’s ability to confront emerging diseases and public health challenges. The recent years have reminded the world that investments in science are investments in national security, economic stability, and human survival,” Mayor Fabrice Rulinda appreciated UVRI for it’s commitment to deal with emerging diseases.
Rulinda believes that Institutions like UVRI are not mere research centres but are strategic national assets whose work benefits every Ugandan and contributes to global health. He, however said UVRI tree planting campaign also reminds us of an important truth: human health, animal health, and environmental health are deeply interconnected.
He further noted that as we continue investing in scientific discovery, we must equally protect the ecosystems upon which healthy communities depend.
“Science and environmental stewardship are not separate responsibilities. They are complementary pillars of sustainable development. So, as we celebrate the achievements of the past ninety years, we must also look confidently toward the future,” Mayor Fabrice Rulinda emphasized.
‘The next generation of health challenges will demand even greater investment in research, innovation, technology, and human capital. I hope this anniversary inspires young Ugandans to pursue careers in science, medicine, and research, knowing that the next breakthrough that transforms lives could very well emerge from one of our own.’
Mayor Fabrice Rulinda, who congratulated UVRI upon making 90 years of existence, reaffirmed that Entebbe municipality remains committed to supporting partnerships that strengthen public health, scientific innovation, and environmental conservation.
“May these ninety trees grow into a lasting symbol of ninety years of excellence. May they stand for resilience, knowledge, hope, and the enduring partnership between science, community, and nature,” Mayor Fabrice Rulinda said.
In related news, UVRI celebrated the birthday of one of it’s surviving first workers, Experito Nsubuga, who turned 91 years on July 17, 2026, and worked with the research institute between early 1950s to around 1998. The old man is the father of Kampala Lord Mayor, Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga.
