Date: Wednesday, 9th September 2026,
Venue: National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRL), Butabika
In a moment of great significance for Uganda’s tuberculosis diagnostic landscape, the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRL) today received a high-profile delegation of government ministers and international donors at its facility in Butabika – a visit focused on understanding how best to support and strengthen NTRL’s laboratory operations going forward.
The visit placed NTRL firmly at the centre of Uganda’s national health conversation, reaffirming the laboratory’s critical role in TB diagnosis, surveillance, and public health response.
NTRL – Uganda’s Frontline for TB Diagnostics
Nestled within the Butabika complex, NTRL serves as the country’s highest-level reference point for tuberculosis testing, quality assurance, and laboratory capacity building. This visit was an opportunity for decision-makers and funders to see firsthand the people, processes, and infrastructure that make this work possible and to explore targeted avenues for future investment and support.
Staff across all sections were present and ready from 8:30 AM, welcoming the delegation with professionalism and pride.
🤝 Ministers, Donors, and a Shared Commitment
The visiting delegation included the Honourable Minister of Health Uganda and His Excellency the United States of America – Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, alongside representatives from Abbott/LifeCare Diagnostics and the CDC, reflecting a broad coalition of local and international stakeholders invested in Uganda’s health systems.
The day’s broader programme, held at the National Health Laboratory & Diagnostic Services (NHLDS), included the official handover of Abbott m-PIMA Analyzers for HIV Early Infant Diagnosis and Viral Load monitoring. But for the NTRL team, the highlight was the laboratory tour, during which the delegation walked through the TB and NTRL sections, engaging directly with staff and observing laboratory operations in action.
📋 What the Visit Means for NTRL
The purpose of the delegation’s stop at NTRL was clear: to assess how support can be directed to the laboratory going forward. This signals a promising chapter for NTRL, with potential investments in:
- Laboratory infrastructure and equipment
- Human resource capacity and training
- Quality management systems
- TB/HIV diagnostic integration
NTRL’s team rose to the occasion, demonstrating the depth of expertise and dedication that defines the laboratory’s work every single day.
📸 A Day That Belongs to the NTRL Team
Beyond the handshakes and speeches, the day was a testament to the quiet, consistent excellence of every staff member at NTRL – the scientists, technicians, and support teams who show up daily to serve Uganda’s patients. The nation’s leaders and international partners came to them.
NTRL looks forward to the partnerships and support that will grow from this visit, and remains steadfast in its mission to deliver world-class TB diagnostic services for Uganda and the region.
Stay tuned for more Infomation and Updates🤗
