The American Edge: Celebrating 250 years of USA independence

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OPINION

By Ambassador William W. Popp

On July 4, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of one of history’s most significant documents, the Declaration of Independence. We mark this milestone by celebrating American history and the enduring partnerships that have shaped our future. In Uganda, we have launched Freedom 250: The American Edge; a campaign that honours over 60 years of collaboration and charts a course for the next 250 years.

The American Edge is the competitive advantage that comes from 250 years of American innovation, entrepreneurship and the relentless pursuit of excellence. It’s the spirit of America’s founders, who believed that free people with curiosity and hard work, can solve any problem.

That spirit did not stop in 1776. The Wright Brothers proved humans could fly in 1903. And last month, Artemis II took us further in space than any human has gone before. Today, the US companies lead the world in artificial intelligence, biotechnology and space exploration.

Impact on Ugandans

The American Edge is not for Americans alone. When Ugandans partner with American businesses, study at USA universities or collaborate with USA researchers, they access world-class technology, cutting-edge research, transparent business practices and professional networks to compete globally.

Our partnership has deep roots: From 1909, when the US president Theodore Roosevelt helped document Uganda’s biodiversity to 1952, when Professor William Senteza Kajubi became the first African Fulbright scholar.

During my nearly three years as USA ambassador, I have witnessed this partnership deliver real results.

When Ebola struck in 2025, the United States stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Uganda; we deployed USA experts, provided diagnostic support and worked with Ugandan health professionals to contain the outbreaks in less than 90 days.

We have also invested in the future. In January this year, we opened the new American Centre, a state-of-the-art free public space, showcasing the best of America to thousands of Ugandans every year. We have also enhanced collaboration with Ugandan authorities to combat visa fraud, protecting border security and the integrity of legitimate travel. American companies continue to create jobs and strengthen trade and investment.

American philanthropic organisations, like the Rockefeller Foundation, set the global standard for responsible international partnership, establishing the Uganda Virus Research Institute in 1936.

American-founded community organisations like the Rotary, the Lions Clubs and USA faith-based charities embody the American commitment of service to our neighbours.

In the health sector, where the United States remains Uganda’s largest partner, we signed a $2.3b Memorandum of Understanding representing critical co-investment in Uganda’s health security over the next five years. This partnership sustains the decades-long American work to help eradicate HIV, malaria and tuberculosis, as well as stop deadly outbreaks. On May 27, the State Department allocated an additional $80m to expand the ongoing response to the Ebola outbreak to more than $112m in USA support for the Ebola response in two weeks. Together, we are saving lives, not just in Uganda, but around the world.

Additionally, our commercial diplomacy is bringing more USA investment, including SpaceX’s cutting-edge Starlink internet services to millions of Ugandans.

The American Edge thrives in education too. Over 6,000 Ugandan alumni of the US exchange programmes have come together under the US Exchange Alumni Network, applying American best practices in their communities. Scientists across Uganda use American computing power to unlock genetic codes of diseases.

Freedom 250 is a reflection on the past and a launchpad for the future. My time as the US ambassador is concluding, but the relationships that have been forged between our nations are lasting. Together, we can build a future that benefits both our people. Here’s to the next 250 years of friendship, partnership and shared prosperity!

William W. Popp is the outgoing USA ambassador to Uganda