Uganda, DR Congo receive $250,000 boost in Ebola fight

Uganda is set to receive half of a $250,000, about Shs937 million, humanitarian donation from global crypto exchange Binance to strengthen the frontline response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus.

The funding, announced today by Binance, will be split equally between the Uganda Red Cross Society and Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières or MSF. Both organizations are among the world’s most experienced emergency responders and are already working in affected and high-risk communities in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC.

With no approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, health systems in eastern DRC and the wider region are under acute pressure. Binance’s contribution will fund urgent interventions including emergency medical care, contact tracing, containment, and the provision of sanitation supplies and protective equipment for frontline workers.

A key focus is high-risk and underserved areas where access to healthcare, protective gear, and timely public health information remains limited. The funds will also support community awareness and prevention campaigns aimed at reducing transmission and building local resilience.

“Communities across Africa continue to show extraordinary resilience in the face of complex challenges, but frontline responders should not have to face crises like this alone,” said Richard Teng, co-CEO of Binance. “We are proud to support both the Uganda Red Cross Society and Doctors without Borders as they work to protect vulnerable populations and deliver urgent care where it is needed most.”

Robert Kwesiga, Secretary General of the Uganda Red Cross Society, said the support comes at a critical time. “Strong partnerships are essential during public health emergencies since we are not able to manage the outbreak alone. The support from Binance comes in so timely and handy, and will help us respond more rapidly, reach more at-risk communities, and reinforce the frontline services needed to help contain the outbreak and save lives.”

Trish Newport, MSF Emergency Programme Manager, raised alarm over the spread. “The number of cases and deaths we are seeing in such a short timeframe, combined with the spread across several health zones and now across the border, is extremely concerning. In Ituri, many people already struggle to access healthcare and live with ongoing insecurity, making rapid action critical to prevent the outbreak from escalating further.”

The donation reflects Binance’s broader work across Africa in education, financial inclusion, digital skills, and community empowerment. With a growing presence on the continent, the company is urging other firms operating in the region to act as partners in community wellbeing during humanitarian crises, not just as economic players.

As Uganda and DRC authorities, international agencies, and local responders race to contain the Bundibugyo outbreak, the Binance funding adds critical resources to frontline teams working under difficult conditions.