U.S military delegation inspects UPDF National Referral Hospital
In his opening remarks, Maj Gen Dr. Ambrose Musinguzi, the UPDF Joint Staff Health Services, expressed appreciation for the years of partnership that have improved Uganda’s military medical capacity.
Dr. Stephen Ferrara retired, a Navy Captain giving his remarks during the meeting on Thursday, November 19. (Courtesy photos)
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The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces National Referral Hospital hosted a high-level delegation from the United States, reaffirming the long-standing medical partnership and ongoing cooperation in military healthcare between the two countries.
The U.S. delegation was led by the Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs Dr Stephen Ferrara on Wednesday, November 19.
In his opening remarks, Maj Gen Dr. Ambrose Musinguzi, the UPDF Joint Staff Health Services, expressed appreciation for the years of partnership that have improved Uganda’s military medical capacity.
“We have two field hospitals acquired through U.S. support; one deployed in Somalia and another in Jinja for training. These continue to boost readiness and operational capacity,” he said, according to a release from the Directorate of Communications at the ministry of Defence and Veterans' Affairs.
Maj Gen Dr. Musinguzi highlighted the progress made through joint work in HIV prevention and care, epidemic initiatives preparedness and trainings supported under the Africa Peace Rapid Response Partnership program (APRRP).
He said that the collaboration has strengthened trauma care, medical evacuation, tactical combat casualty care, and simulation-based training.
At the same time, APRRP engagements have sharpened the Force’s ability to detect, prevent, and respond to disease outbreaks.
Dr Stephen Ferrara, a retired Navy Captain with 25-year career in combat, praised Uganda’s track record in containing disease outbreaks and its strict adherence to the 717 model, which has earned international recognition.
He said effective containment protects not only communities but also helps avert wider geopolitical and economic disruptions.
He said they were excited about opportunities for collaboration in global health security, disease surveillance, force health protection, and advanced laboratory systems, adding that he was, “especially inspired to learn about the UPDF’s plans to begin bone marrow transplantation”
Dr Ferrara is also an experienced clinician, educator, and healthcare leader.
Col. Dr Ronald Nagamba, the CEO of the UPDF National Referral Hospital, said the multi-speciality facility meets international standards and will serve military personnel, civilian staff, the public, and regional referrals.
He said it marks a key step in reducing medical tourism and strengthening Uganda’s health sector.
He said the hospital would offer a range of medical services and that a second phase would add oncology, cardiac care, and bone marrow transplantation, “services that have long forced patients to seek treatment abroad.”
The delegation included Dr Bryce Slingor, Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary, Dr Katy Godfrey, Country Director, Dr Juliet Akao Nyati of the U.S. Embassy’s HIV/AIDS programme, and Maj Aaron Kuiper of Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
Senior UPDF medical officers at the meeting included: Col Dr Edwin B. Bagashe, Col Deborah Nayebare, Col Silas M. Kamada, Maj Dr Luwada, and Lt Col Hon Evelyn Asiimwe.