The first-ever Uganda-UK Global Health Partnership Forum convened this week, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between the two countries.
The event gathered key stakeholders, including policymakers, health professionals, and Ugandan diaspora leaders, with the goal of reviewing existing partnerships, addressing pressing health challenges, and promoting innovation across the sector.
Held under the theme “Strengthening Uganda-UK Health Partnership Through Showcasing Impact, Facilitating a Diaspora Dialogue, and Promoting Bi-Directional Learning,” the forum created a platform for meaningful exchanges, knowledge sharing, and partnership building.
Ambassador Lisa Chesney, British High Commissioner to Uganda, opened the forum by underscoring the transformative impact of collaboration in areas such as clinical training, digital health innovation, and health security frameworks.
“This forum is not just about collaboration but about mutual benefit—leveraging innovation, skills exchange, and celebrating the crucial leadership roles played by Ugandan health professionals in the diaspora,” she said.
Echoing this sentiment, Ambassador Nimisha Madhvani, Uganda High Commissioner to the UK, encouraged diaspora health professionals to continue deepening their contributions to Uganda’s health system.
“I urge our diaspora community to continue fostering sustainable and mutually beneficial health partnerships,” she stated.
The forum was co-hosted by Uganda’s Ministry of Health, Global Health Partnerships, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), reflecting a modern model of collaboration that is horizontal, inclusive, and rooted in mutual accountability.
Dr Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, expressed gratitude for the UK’s sustained support, which aligns with Uganda’s National Development Plan and strategic health priorities.
She highlighted initiatives in curriculum development, health innovation, and skills exchange programs.
“The Ministry of Health is unifying a harmonized work plan and budget framework designed to eliminate fragmented donor-funded initiatives. Donor contributions must integrate within this framework to ensure alignment with national priorities,” Dr Atwine said, adding that virtual learning platforms would continue to be leveraged to scale capacity-building efforts across the sector.
Moses Mulimira, Uganda-UK Health Alliance In-country Manager and Global Health Partnerships Diaspora Engagement Advisor, thanked attendees for their dedication to knowledge exchange.
He emphasized that forums like this are vital for nurturing healthcare capacity, catalyzing innovation, and strengthening the resilience and effectiveness of Uganda’s health sector.
The forum’s focus on AI, nursing innovations, and diaspora engagement signals a forward-looking approach to healthcare in Uganda, highlighting the role of cross-border partnerships in driving sustainable solutions and strengthening the nation’s health system.
