The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) National Referral Hospital on Thursday hosted a high-level delegation from the United States, reaffirming the long-standing medical partnership and deepening 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, who commended Uganda’s strong record in disease outbreak containment and its internationally recognised adherence to the 717 response model.
Maj Gen Dr. Ambrose Musinguzi, UPDF Joint Staff—Health Services, applauded the enduring partnership that has significantly enhanced Uganda’s military medical capabilities.
“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.
Maj Gen Musinguzi highlighted key advances achieved through joint cooperation, including HIV prevention and care, epidemic preparedness, trauma care, medical evacuation, tactical combat casualty care, and simulation-based training. He noted that programmes under the Africa Peace Rapid Response Partnership (APRRP) have strengthened the Force’s ability to detect, prevent, and respond to disease outbreaks.
Dr. Ferrara expressed appreciation for Uganda’s leadership in public health security, noting that effective containment not only protects communities but also prevents wider geopolitical and economic disruptions. He said the U.S. looks forward to expanding collaboration in global health security, disease surveillance, force health protection, and advanced laboratory systems.
He added that he was “especially inspired to learn about the UPDF’s plans to begin bone marrow transplantation,” a milestone that will position the military facility among the region’s most advanced medical centres.
Col Dr. Ronald Nagamba, CEO of the UPDF National Referral Hospital, said the state-of-the-art multispecialty facility meets international standards and will serve military personnel, civilian staff, the general public, and regional referrals.
He said the hospital will offer a range of specialised services, with Phase Two expected to introduce oncology, cardiac care, and bone marrow transplantation—services that have long pushed Ugandans to seek treatment abroad. The hospital, he said, marks a significant step toward reducing medical tourism and strengthening Uganda’s health sector.
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 officers in attendance included Col Dr. Edwin B. Bagashe, Col Deborah Nayebare, Col Silas M. Kamada, Maj Dr. Luwada, and Lt Col Hon Evelyn Asiimwe.
