EBOLA FIGHT: India Flies In 43 Tonnes Of Medical Supplies To Uganda

A large Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster touched down at Entebbe International Airport on Tuesday, delivering the second, and significantly larger , tranche of India’s emergency medical assistance to Africa in response to the worsening Ebola outbreak sweeping the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

The High Commission of India in Kampala confirmed that the aircraft delivered the second tranche of India’s medical assistance at Entebbe International Airport. High Commissioner Upendra Singh Rawat formally handed over the consignment to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) at the airport.

The consignment includes protective gear, diagnostic and monitoring equipment, sample transport kits, infection prevention supplies, medicines, and nutritional supplements.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the 43-tonne consignment would “further strengthen public health preparedness and bolster Ebola response capacities across Africa.”

A Rapidly Escalating Response

Tuesday’s delivery marks a sharp escalation in India’s commitment since the outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern. India dispatched the first tranche of urgent medical supplies and protective kits to Africa CDC on May 24, with Jaishankar stating at the time that India was “committed to support Africa in responding to the emerging Ebola public health emergency.” On May 29, India formally expressed readiness to continue assisting affected countries.

The contrast between the two deliveries is striking — the first tranche weighed approximately 2.5 tonnes; Tuesday’s delivery was more than seventeen times larger.

Uganda as the Hub

The choice of Entebbe as the delivery point is strategically significant. Africa CDC confirmed that the supplies were delivered through its Eastern Regional Coordinating Centre in Uganda and mobilised to support response efforts in eastern DRC. Uganda sits at the centre of the regional outbreak, making it a natural logistics hub for the broader continental response.

As of June 2, the Ebola disease outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus continues to affect both the DRC and Uganda. The DRC has recorded 321 confirmed cases including 48 deaths, while Uganda has reported 15 confirmed cases including one death.

Diplomatic Significance

The airlift is as much a diplomatic signal as a humanitarian one. Deploying a military transport aircraft rather than a commercial freight carrier carries unmistakable symbolism — a show of state-level commitment and operational capability. Africa CDC expressed appreciation for India’s support, stating: “We thank the Government and people of India for their solidarity with Africa.”

The delivery reinforces India’s broader push to position itself as Africa’s partner of choice in health security — a message that carries particular weight as China, the United States, and European powers all jostle for influence on the continent.

For Uganda, which hosts Africa CDC’s Eastern Regional Coordinating Centre, Tuesday’s handover further cements Kampala’s role as a frontline diplomatic and logistical node in the continent’s fight against the outbreak.