Amani Medical Research Centre was initially established at Ubwari, Muheza by Capt. Dr. Bagster Wilson in 1949 as the former East African Malaria Unit (EAMU) under the Colonial and Welfare Scheme: The unit served British Somaliland, Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika, and Zanzibar in the control of malaria and other vector-borne diseases. In 1951, the Unit was moved to Amani Hill in the east Usambara Mountains and then was renamed as ‘East African Malaria Institute’ (EAMI) and became operational under the East African High Commission. In 1954, the EAMI was again renamed as the ‘East African Institute of Malaria and Vector Borne Diseases’ (EAIMVBD) then operating under the East African Community (EAC)