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The East African Community (EAC) has operationalised its Regional Centre of Excellence in Virology, marking a major milestone in efforts to strengthen the region’s capacity for virus research, specialised laboratory training and disease surveillance.

The facility, hosted by the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe, Uganda, was officially launched on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, by Uganda’s Prime Minister, Ms Robinah Nabbanja, on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni.

The centre is expected to serve as the region’s leading hub for advanced virology research, laboratory diagnostics, scientific training, disease surveillance and knowledge sharing, enabling EAC partner states to better prepare for and respond to public health threats, including Ebola, Marburg and other emerging and re-emerging viral diseases. Launching the centre, Ms Nabbanja described the initiative as a significant step towards strengthening regional health security, saying East Africa must continue investing in scientific research and innovation to address evolving disease threats.

‘The world is changing rapidly, together with its health challenges. We have learnt that a nation capable of studying its own pathogens is a self-reliant nation. Uganda remains committed to increasing investment in research,’ she said.

The EAC Council of Ministers Chairperson, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, said the establishment of the centre came at a critical time when infectious diseases continued to pose serious risks across the region and beyond.

She said lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated that diseases do not respect national borders, making regional cooperation essential in preventing and responding to outbreaks.

Ms Kadaga added that although EAC partner states had strengthened their laboratory systems in recent years, disparities in technical expertise, infrastructure and resources remained.

She said the new centre would bridge those gaps by promoting scientific collaboration, specialised training and the sharing of expertise among partner states.

Representing the EAC Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General for Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Mr Ariik Malueth said the centre was among seven Regional Medical Diagnostic Centres of Excellence identified under the EAC Health Investment Priority Framework 2018-2028, approved by the 19th Summit of EAC Heads of State.

He said the centre would ensure specialised scientific knowledge developed in one partner state became a shared regional resource benefiting all East Africans.

‘Uganda’s selection reflects the Uganda Virus Research Institute’s internationally recognised expertise and decades of contribution to virus research, disease surveillance and outbreak response,’ he said.

UVRI Director, Prof Pontiano Kaleebu, said the institute was committed to supporting regional health security through cutting-edge virology research, specialised laboratory training, diagnostics, surveillance and scientific collaboration.

He noted that UVRI already played a regional role by confirming laboratory samples submitted by partner states before disease outbreaks were officially declared, ensuring public health decisions were guided by scientific evidence.

The operationalisation of the centre has been supported through the EAC Regional Network of Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases Project, with financial support from the German government through KfW and technical assistance from the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM).

Uganda’s KfW country director, Jan Alber, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting East Africa’s health security, saying stronger laboratory systems and scientific partnerships were essential for building resilient health systems capable of responding to future disease outbreaks.

Mainland Tanzania Premier League defending champions Young Africans (Yanga) are planning a move for experienced Namibian striker Peter Shalulile as they seek to strengthen their striking force ahead of the 2026/2027 season.

Sources within the club have revealed that Yanga’s top management has already initiated early negotiations with both Shalulile and his South African club, Mamelodi Sundowns, in an effort to secure the services of the prolific forward.

The move comes at a crucial time for Yanga, who are looking to bolster their squad for both domestic competitions and the Caf Champions League campaign. At present, the Jangwani-based side has only two available strikers in its senior squad: Laurindo ‘Depu’ Aurélio and newly signed Hussein Mihambo, who joined the club from Mashujaa FC during the current transfer window. Yanga’s striking department has been significantly weakened following the departure of dependable Zimbabwean striker Prince Dube, who recently left the club to join Hardrock FC of Zimbabwe. Dube was an important figure in Yanga’s attack and played a key role in the team’s success over the past seasons. The situation has been further complicated by the injury setback suffered by young forward Clement Mzize. Reports indicate that Mzize is yet to make a full recovery and is expected to regain match fitness only in November, leaving Yanga with limited options in the attacking department for the opening months of the new season.

A source close to the club confirmed that Yanga are actively searching for a striker capable of leading the line in both local and continental competitions.

‘Top management is working on the matter. Soon we will give what is going on. But we are searching for a striker ahead of both local competitions and the CAF Champions League,’ said the source.

Shalulile, one of Africa’s most experienced and decorated strikers, has built an impressive reputation during his time at Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Namibian international has been instrumental in Sundowns’ dominance of South African football, helping the club win multiple Premier Soccer League titles and competing regularly in the CAF Champions League.

Known for his pace, movement, and clinical finishing, Shalulile would bring a wealth of experience to Yanga’s attack if the deal materialises. His arrival would also provide coach Manqoba Mngqithi with a proven goalscorer capable of handling the demands of both the Mainland Premier League and the high-pressure environment of continental football.

Unguja. Zanzibar has stepped up efforts to strengthen early childhood development (ECD), describing investment in childcare, nutrition and early learning as critical to building a skilled and productive future workforce.

Second Vice President Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, representing President Hussein Ali Mwinyi, made the remarks yesterday during the launch of the Zanzibar Multisectoral Early Childhood Development Programme (ZMSECDP) 2026-2031 and the opening of the Stanbic Bank Tanzania-funded Mwanakwerekwe Early Childhood Development Centre.

He commended Stanbic Bank for supporting Zanzibar’s ECD agenda and called on other financial institutions and private sector players to support similar initiatives.

“We commend Stanbic Bank for this strategic investment and its continued support for socio-economic development not only in Zanzibar but across Tanzania,” Mr Abdulla said.

The Sh500 million facility, named the Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi Childcare Centre, is among the first projects under the Adopt an ECD Centre Initiative, a partnership involving the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, Stanbic Bank Tanzania and Save the Children International.

Located at Mwanakwerekwe Market, the centre will provide childcare, early learning, nutrition, healthcare and child protection services for up to 60 children daily, particularly benefiting traders and working parents. State Minister in the President’s Office and Acting Minister for Health, Dr Saada Mkuya Salum, said implementation of the five-year ZMSECDP programme will require Sh205.2 billion, to be mobilised through the government, development partners, civil society and the private sector.

Stanbic Bank Tanzania Chief Financial and Value Officer Derick Lugemala said the project was an investment in people and Zanzibar’s future rather than corporate philanthropy. He said the remaining Sh150 million from the bank’s Sh500 million commitment would support additional ECD centres across Zanzibar.

“The centre demonstrates what can be achieved when government, business and development partners unite to strengthen families, empower communities and unlock the potential of the next generation,” Mr Lugemala said.

The initiative aligns with Zanzibar Development Vision 2050, which identifies human capital development as a key driver of long-term socio-economic transformation.

Tanzania’s senior women’s national football team, Twiga Stars, delivered another encouraging performance ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after holding Ghana to a goalless draw in an international friendly in Morocco on Tuesday.

The result offers a timely confidence boost for coach Bakari Shime’s side as they complete their preparations for the continental showpiece, which kicks off on July 26 in Morocco. Tanzania will compete in a challenging Group B alongside defending champions South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso.

Twiga Stars produced a disciplined defensive display to frustrate one of Africa’s traditional powerhouses, with Ghana dominating possession but failing to find a breakthrough against Tanzania’s organised backline. The Black Queens controlled much of the match and dictated the tempo from the opening whistle, but they struggled to convert their superiority into meaningful scoring opportunities. Tanzania remained compact throughout the contest, limiting Ghana’s attacking options and forcing them to settle for efforts from less dangerous positions.

Whenever they regained possession, Twiga Stars looked dangerous on the counterattack, using their pace and teamwork to keep Ghana’s defence alert. Although neither side created many clear-cut chances, Tanzania’s defensive resilience ensured the match ended in a goalless stalemate.

The result provides valuable encouragement for Twiga Stars just days before their WAFCON campaign begins. Tanzania will open their Group B campaign against South Africa on July 27 before facing Burkina Faso on July 31 and concluding the group stage against Côte d’Ivoire on August 4.

For Ghana, the draw exposed the need for greater attacking efficiency despite their dominance in possession. The Black Queens will now turn their attention to Group D, where they are set to face Cape Verde, Cameroon and Mali in what is expected to be another competitive section.

Elsewhere, Côte d’Ivoire returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mali at the Berrechid Municipal Stadium, bouncing back from their recent defeat to Ghana.

The decisive moment came in the 42nd minute when GrSce Ruth Sery capitalised on a scoring opportunity, firing home the only goal of the match to hand the Elephants a morale-boosting victory.

Mali responded strongly after the break, applying sustained pressure in search of an equaliser, but Côte d’Ivoire defended resolutely to preserve their slender advantage until the final whistle.