A medical delegation from the United Kingdom military has held a series of engagements with the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) aimed at strengthening cooperation in military healthcare, training and rehabilitation services.
The delegation visited the UPDF National Referral Hospital and the Defence Forces Rehabilitation and Vocational Centre. Discussions focused on improving medical care for soldiers and expanding cooperation between Uganda and the United Kingdom.
During the visit, the team paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Joint Staff, Jackson Bakasumba. He praised the strong defence cooperation between Uganda and the United Kingdom.
Lt Gen Bakasumba thanked the UK government for its continued support and highlighted the UPDF’s role in regional peacekeeping missions.
“The UPDF is one of the best partners in Africa to support because of its numerous peacekeeping missions on the continent,” he said, and encouraged further collaboration in military health services.
The Joint Staff for Health Services, Ambrose Musinguzi, said the partnership had already produced positive results, especially in specialised medical training and mentorship for young health professionals.
He said the long-term goal is to transform the UPDF National Referral Hospital into one of the leading medical facilities in Uganda and the wider region.
“The hospital must provide high-quality treatment to reduce the need for patients to travel abroad for medical care within East Africa and Africa at large,” Maj Gen Musinguzi said.
The UK delegation was led by Jeyanathan Jeyanathan. He commended the Ugandan government and the Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for supporting the growing partnership between the two countries.
While touring the hospital in Mbuya, the delegation inspected facilities and assessed ongoing medical services.
“We have seen remarkable facilities and dedication,” Lt Col Jeyanathan said, noting that the visit would help identify areas for future collaboration, including specialised training programmes and equipment upgrades.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, John Lusiba, welcomed the delegation’s feedback and said the recommendations would help improve patient care.
“Their insights align with our goals to enhance patient care, and we will swiftly implement their recommendations to strengthen our services,” he said.
The delegation later visited the rehabilitation centre in Mubende, where officials explained the facility’s work in supporting wounded, injured and sick soldiers.
The Deputy Commandant of the centre, Richard Walekula, said the facility was established in 1986 to rehabilitate war victims and provide comprehensive support, including psychosocial care and occupational therapy.
“The hardest thing to overcome is not the physical disability but the condition that induces it,” he said.
Brig Gen Walekula said the centre receives patients referred from UPDF hospitals who require long-term recovery before returning to active service or moving into other productive roles.
He also commended the governments of Uganda and the United Kingdom for their continued cooperation and support and expressed optimism that collaboration with international partners would further strengthen the centre.
The engagements were attended by several senior officials, including Geoffrey Karugaba, Uganda’s Defence Advisor to the United Kingdom; Ronald Nangamba, Chief Executive Officer of the UPDF National Referral Hospital; and Edith Buturo, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
