NHLDS Wins ASLM Beacon of Innovation Award
27/November/2025: Nairobi-Kenya.
The Ministry of Health Department of National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services (NHLDS), has been honored with the ASLM Beacon of Innovation Award—a prestigious continental recognition reserved for individuals and teams whose groundbreaking laboratory innovations have significantly improved patient outcomes.
This award celebrates innovation that speed up diagnosis, strengthen treatment monitoring, reduce medical errors, and enable earlier, life-saving interventions.
And Uganda didn’t just meet that bar… we cleared it with style.
In the most recent 2025 Ebola Sudan outbreak, Uganda’s laboratories delivered a remarkable feat:
Detection and confirmation of the outbreak locally within 24 hours, and
Genomic sequencing completed within 48 hours.
This kind of speed is not just impressive; it is the difference between containment and crisis. It reflects years of investment, discipline, and unwavering commitment to public health security.
“A hearty congratulations to the entire NHLDS team whose expertise and dedication made this achievement possible. Special recognition goes to Mr. Andrew Nsawo Tebba and the team at the Central Emergency and Surveillance Laboratory (CESRL), Mr. Alisen and the National Genomics Laboratory team, and all the brilliant scientists who worked behind the scenes with precision and purpose. I extend sincere appreciation to the leadership of the Ministry of Health—the Hon.Minister, the Permanent Secretary, and the Director General—for their continuous support, trust, and prioritization of laboratory systems. I also acknowledge the development partners whose unwavering support continues to strengthen Uganda’s laboratory systems, ensuring resilience and readiness for the health threats of today and tomorrow. This is YOUR award,” Dr Susan Nabadda while accepting the award at the on going ALSM Convention in Nairobi.
Uganda has spoken through innovation and the continent is listening.
