EACCR4 Launched in Entebbe to Boost Eastern Africa’s Outbreak Response and Clinical Research Capacity

Entebbe, Uganda — The Eastern Africa Consortium for Clinical Research (EACCR) has launched its fourth phase, EACCR4, marking a major advance in African-led public health preparedness and outbreak response.

Supported by a €12 million (approximately Shs 50 billion) investment from the Global Health EDCTP3 partnership, the four-year initiative was formally inaugurated on 10 September 2026 at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI).

Building on 16 years of collaborative European Union support, EACCR4 expands the network to 23 partner institutions across 13 countries in Eastern Africa and Europe. To promote greater regional health equity, the consortium has welcomed new partners from countries with less developed health research systems, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Somalia, and Zambia.

Strengthening Regional Health Security

EACCR4 prioritises standardised clinical research across the region and a shift toward active, actionable research during outbreaks. Key priorities for the next four years include:

• Target diseases: Scaling up clinical trial capacity for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and emerging epidemic threats such as Ebola and Marburg.
• Epidemic surveillance: The Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) will lead the consortium’s epidemic research and surveillance pillar, helping streamline cross-border responses.
• Infrastructure: Auditing and upgrading at least two clinical trial sites while strengthening local laboratory capabilities.
• Human capital: Continued investment in training the next generation of scientists, trial managers, and laboratory technicians through advanced fellowships.

Regional health leaders at the launch emphasised that EACCR4 brings East Africa closer to a self-sustaining scientific ecosystem capable of protecting the region against future pandemic threats.

For updates on upcoming work packages, research fellowships, and training opportunities, visit the project portal or subscribe to the EACCR newsletter.