In accordance with the stated core functions of the National Public Health Institutions UVRI embeds its competences in the following areas:

1. Reference & Specialized Testing Proficiency with deliverables of evaluated and validated testing algorithms and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
2. Public Health Surveillance (diseases & bio-risks) with deliverables of documented outbreaks investigated and controlled plus bio-risks averted.
3. Public Health Research and Innovation (in the National Development Plan) with deliverables of peer-review publications, research reports, scientific presentations and policy briefs.
4. Health promotion and environmental health linked to cluster I in the MoH Health Sector Strategic & Investment Plan.
5. Disease prevention & control linked to the MoH clusters in its Health Sector Strategic & Investment Plan: Maternal and Child Health (cluster II); Communicable Diseases (cluster III) and Non-Communicable Diseases (cluster IV).
6. Human Resource and Capacity Development with deliverables of scientists trained/mentored, trainees handled through internships and staff retention plus motivation.
7. Research governance and quality assurance measurable through policy contributions, number of grants, infrastructural developments, number of partnerships/collaborations, number of quality assurance schemes and resources mobilized.