The United States Ambassador to Uganda, William W. Popp, has visited Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) to strengthen long-standing collaboration between the American authorities and the college in know-how, innovation, and public well being analysis.
During the go to, Ambassador Popp toured a sequence of scientific exhibitions on the college the place researchers showcased cutting-edge tasks and ongoing initiatives funded by numerous U.S. businesses.
The engagement highlighted key areas of cooperation together with public well being infrastructure, innovation grants, and the continued improvement of MUST’s Kihumuro principal campus.
Speaking throughout the go to, MUST Vice Chancellor Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika praised the United States for its sustained partnership with the college since its institution.
“Today, we celebrate not only your presence, but also the enduring partnership between the United States and MUST,” Prof. Byakika-Kibwika mentioned.
She revealed that out of the 93 energetic tasks at the moment working on the college, 65 are funded by the United States, representing a complete funding of over $36.3 million.
According to the Vice Chancellor, the collaboration has considerably strengthened analysis and medical coaching on the establishment, notably in areas akin to HIV/AIDS care and interdisciplinary well being analysis throughout East Africa.
She famous that main U.S. establishments together with Harvard University, Yale University, and Columbia University proceed to play a essential function in supporting analysis applications at MUST.
Prof. Byakika-Kibwika added that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) gives the biggest share of the funding, contributing greater than half of the assist, alongside different companions akin to USAID and Massachusetts General Hospital.
In his remarks, Ambassador Popp reaffirmed the United States’ dedication to supporting Uganda’s well being sector and analysis establishments.
He revealed that the 2 nations signed a $2.3 billion well being cooperation settlement in December 2025, which can information collaboration over the subsequent 5 years.
According to Popp, the settlement is among the many largest bilateral well being partnerships within the area and can give attention to combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and strengthening world well being safety.
“It is a testament to the work that we’re doing together. This agreement is going to protect Americans and Ugandans alike by preventing disease outbreaks, strengthening surveillance, and building resilient health systems,” Popp mentioned.
The ambassador additionally highlighted the continued problem of HIV in Western Uganda, noting that analysis establishments like MUST play an important function in advancing remedy and prevention methods.
“We see MUST as a hub of excellence, not just for Uganda, but for East Africa and beyond. Your graduates are the scientists, doctors, and innovators who will shape the future,” he instructed college students.
Popp inspired college students to pursue formidable objectives past native boundaries.
“Your degree from MUST is a passport and a stepping stone to achieving great impact in the world. Dream big and create what we have not yet imagined,” he mentioned.
Meanwhile, Dr. Medard Twinamatsiko Katonera, Director of Innovation and Technology Transfer at MUST, mentioned the college is working to translate analysis into real-world options however nonetheless faces challenges, notably in funding commercialization of improvements.
“One of the critical challenges is funding. We still have limited resources to take these products to the market so that they can impact society,” he defined.
Dr. Twinamatsiko mentioned the college has established MUST Holdings Company Limited, a industrial arm aimed toward serving to college students and researchers rework their prototypes into viable companies.
He added that the college has strengthened mental property safety by non-disclosure agreements and joint submitting of patents to safeguard improvements.
As a part of his go to to the area, Ambassador Popp additionally visited St. Theresa Mitala Maria Primary School to take part in Uganda’s twelfth National “Drop Everything and Read” (D.E.A.R) Day.
Accompanied by U.S. Peace Corps volunteers, he emphasised the significance of literacy in nationwide improvement.
“As America celebrates 250 years of independence, one of the greatest lessons from our history is that education and reading empower people to build strong, free, and prosperous nations,” he mentioned.
Founded in 1989 with solely 43 medical college students, Mbarara University of Science and Technology has since grown into considered one of Uganda’s main science establishments, now internet hosting over 6,600 college students and greater than 600 workers.