Kampala, Uganda – Saturday, 13 June 2026: Uganda joins the rest of the world today in commemorating World Blood Donor Day 2026 under the global campaign slogan “One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.” and the national theme “From Donor to Delivery: Blood Availability for Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH) Deaths Elimination.”

The national commemoration brings together government leaders, health professionals, development partners, private sector representatives, and voluntary blood donors in a unified effort to celebrate and promote voluntary blood donation as a life-saving act of humanity.

World Blood Donor Day is observed annually to recognise voluntary blood donors whose generosity saves millions of lives globally. In Uganda, the day also serves as a platform to strengthen awareness about the importance of a safe and adequate blood supply for emergency care, maternal health, surgical interventions, and treatment of life-threatening conditions.

The Uganda Blood Transfusion Service (UBTS) emphasises that this year’s theme highlights the importance of strengthening the entire blood system from donor recruitment and qualification to screening, storage, and delivery to ensure safe blood is available when patients need it most. This is particularly critical in addressing postpartum haemorrhage, one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in Uganda.

In her speech, Dr Dorothy Kyeyune Byabazaire, the Executive Director, Uganda Blood Transfusion Service (UBTS), said, “Every unit of blood donated represents hope for a patient in need. Strengthening the entire system from donor recruitment to safe delivery ensures that mothers, children, accident victims, and other patients receive timely care. Safe blood availability is central to reducing preventable deaths, especially those linked to postpartum haemorrhage,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of Vivo Energy Uganda Managing Director, Mrs. Joanita Mukasa Menya, Valery Okecho the Corporate Communications Manager said: “At Vivo Energy Uganda, we believe in powering progress beyond energy. Our partnership with UBTS reflects our commitment to supporting initiatives that save lives. Through World Blood Donor Day activities and our continued support under the Fuelling Hope initiative, we are helping to raise awareness and encourage more Ugandans to become voluntary blood donors.” 

Adding, “Vivo Energy Uganda’s ongoing support builds on the ‘Fuelling Hope’ campaign, which is implemented in partnership with UBTS to strengthen public awareness and encourage voluntary blood donation across Uganda. The initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration between the private sector and national health institutions in mobilising communities and saving lives through blood donation.”

The Chief Guest, Mrs. Charlotte Kainerugaba, Uganda PPH Champion, commends the collective effort to strengthen Uganda’s blood donation system and emphasises the importance of voluntary participation.

“Blood donation is one of the highest forms of service to humanity. Today, as we commemorate World Blood Donor Day, I encourage all eligible Ugandans to embrace voluntary blood donation as an act of compassion, solidarity, and responsibility. Together, we can save lives and strengthen our healthcare system,” she said.

As World Blood Donor Day 2026 is commemorated nationwide, UBTS and its partners reaffirm their commitment to building a safe, sufficient, and sustainable blood supply system for Uganda.
The continued partnership between Uganda Blood Transfusion Service and Vivo Energy Uganda, strengthened through initiatives such as ‘Fuelling Hope’, demonstrates the critical role of collaboration in raising awareness and mobilising communities for voluntary blood donation.

Members of the public are encouraged to move beyond awareness into action by becoming regular voluntary blood donors. Every donation counts, every drop matters, and every act of generosity contributes directly to saving lives, especially mothers, children, and emergency patients who depend on timely access to safe blood.

Together, through sustained partnerships and collective responsibility, Uganda can ensure that safe blood is always available when it is needed most. Every unit of donated blood has the potential to save multiple lives, making blood donors among the most important contributors to Uganda's healthcare system.