By The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) National Referral Hospital has hosted a high-level delegation from the United States, reaffirming decades of military medical cooperation between the two countries.
The U.S. team was led by Dr. Stephen Ferrara, the Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs, who commended Uganda’s leadership in disease containment and its commitment to strengthening global health security.
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Maj Gen Dr. Ambrose Musinguzi, the UPDF Joint Staff for Health Services, said the partnership has significantly enhanced the Force’s medical readiness, especially through field hospitals acquired with U.S. support.
“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.
Musinguzi highlighted gains made in HIV prevention and care, epidemic preparedness, and the Africa Peace Rapid Response Partnership (APRRP), noting improvements in trauma care, medical evacuation, tactical combat casualty care, and simulation training. He added that APRRP programmes have strengthened the UPDF’s ability to detect and respond to outbreaks.
Dr. Ferrara praised Uganda’s reputation for rapid epidemic response, saying the country’s adherence to the internationally recognised 7-1-7 model has safeguarded communities and prevented broader regional disruptions.
He also pointed to new areas of cooperation, including global health security, disease surveillance, force health protection, and advanced laboratory systems. Ferrara expressed particular excitement about the UPDF’s plan to begin bone marrow transplantation—an advanced procedure still unavailable in most of the region.
Col Dr. Ronald Nagamba, the CEO of the UPDF National Referral Hospital, said the facility meets international standards and will serve military personnel, civilian staff, members of the public, and regional referrals. He noted that Phase II of the hospital will introduce oncology, cardiac care, and bone marrow transplantation.
“These are services that have long forced patients to seek treatment abroad,” he said, describing the hospital as a major step towards reducing medical tourism and strengthening Uganda’s domestic health system.
The U.S. 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 the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
Senior UPDF medical officials in attendance were Col Dr. Edwin B. Bagashe, Col Deborah Nayebare, Col Silas M. Kamada, Maj Dr. Luwada, and Lt Col Hon Evelyn Asiimwe.
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