Uganda, UK strengthen enduring health partnerships

Uganda and the United Kingdom (UK) have celebrated their longstanding health partnerships, with leaders from both countries highlighting key achievements.

The Uganda-UK Health Summit, held at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Nakasero, attracted senior policymakers, health professionals, diaspora leaders, and development partners, who highlighted key achievements.

British High Commissioner to Uganda, Lisa Chesney MBE, highlighted the life-saving impact of collaborative programmes such as the MRC/LSTHM+UVRI partnership and the establishment of Mildmay Hospital Uganda, which have played a central role in combating HIV/AIDS.

She also pointed to the EMPOWER programme, which equips health workers to handle maternal and neonatal emergencies, and the University of Liverpool’s partnership with the Infectious Diseases Institute on maternal sepsis.

Additionally, she praised the introduction of cardiac MRI technology through Barts NHS Trust and the Uganda Heart Institute, and the innovative low-pressure oxygen systems developed by FreO2, which have helped reduce neonatal deaths at Kiryandongo Hospital.

The August 28, 2025, summit centred on three key focus areas, which included the impact on Health Systems: Showcasing real stories of collaboration in clinical training, digital health, and health security.

Mutual Benefit: demonstrating how both Uganda and the UK gain from joint innovations and skills exchange, and diaspora Leadership: recognising the crucial role of Ugandan health professionals in the UK and globally in driving progress.

Uganda health ministry permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine commended the UK for aligning its support with Uganda’s national priorities.

“Our focus is now on integration, one plan, one budget, and we are thankful that the UK supports Uganda’s priorities,” she said.

Uganda’s Ambassador to the UK, Nimisha Madhvani, emphasised the deep historical ties between the two nations. 

“This summit demonstrates the strong partnership and commitment of the Governments of Uganda and the United Kingdom, especially in medical research and healthcare progress,” she said.

She reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to working closely with the UK to advance healthcare.

Prof. Moffat Nyirenda, the director of the Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute, described partnerships as “absolutely crucial” in today’s interconnected world.

He emphasised that such collaborations deliver reciprocal benefits that go far beyond national borders.

THET country director, Dr Sheba Gitta, said their health partnership model prioritises national needs. 

“Whenever we receive funding, we don’t just impose projects. We begin with a scoping visit to identify national priorities and establish an oversight mechanism,” she said.

Through this model, THET awarded four large grants, each worth £100,000 (over shillings 478 million). The projects included expanding retinopathy of prematurity screening capacity among midwives at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital.

A condition that, if undetected, can cause lifetime blindness in premature babies.

Another project was developing a transparent multi-disciplinary orientation programme to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality in four public facilities, including Kawempe and Strengthening leadership and management among local government health managers’ in Wakiso district.

Koboko Municipality Member of Parliament Dr Charles Ayume lauded the UK’s consistent support across multiple areas. 

“In immunisation, the UK has supported Uganda through GAVI, WHO, and Universal Health Coverage programmes, including the distribution of mosquito nets through the Long-Lasting Insecticide-treated Nets (LLINs) campaign for so many years.

He further noted the UK’s strong role in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

“Members of the Parliamentary Forum on AMR have toured several regional referral hospitals and witnessed first-hand how laboratory capacity in many of these facilities has been strengthened through UK government support,” Ayume added.