UPDF, UK Military Deepen Cooperation in Healthcare and Rehabilitation

A medical delegation from the United Kingdom military held a series of engagements with the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) aimed at strengthening collaboration in military healthcare, training and rehabilitation services.

The engagements included visits to the UPDF National Referral Hospital in Mbuya and the Defence Forces Rehabilitation and Vocational Centre in Mubende, where discussions focused on improving medical services for soldiers and expanding cooperation between Uganda and the United Kingdom.

During the visit, the delegation paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Joint Staff, Lieutenant General Jackson Bakasumba, who 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 contribution to regional peacekeeping missions across Africa.

“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, Major General Dr Ambrose Musinguzi, noted that the partnership had already produced positive results, particularly in specialised medical training and mentorship for young health professionals.

He emphasised the long-term goal of transforming the UPDF National Referral Hospital into one of the leading medical facilities in the country 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 Lieutenant Colonel Dr Jeyanathan Jeyanathan, who commended the Ugandan government and the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for supporting the growing partnership between the two countries.

While touring the UPDF National Referral Hospital in Mbuya, the delegation inspected hospital 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 UPDF National Referral Hospital, Colonel Dr John Lusiba, welcomed the delegation’s feedback, saying their recommendations would help strengthen 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 also visited the Defence Forces Rehabilitation and Vocational Centre in Mubende, where they were briefed on the facility’s work in rehabilitating wounded, injured and sick soldiers.

The Deputy Commandant of the centre, Brigadier General Richard Walekula, explained that 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 noted that the centre receives patients referred from UPDF hospitals who require long-term recovery and rehabilitation before returning to active service or transitioning into other productive roles.

He 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 rehabilitation centre.

The engagements were attended by several senior officials, including Brigadier General Geoffrey Karugaba, Uganda’s Defence Advisor to the United Kingdom; Colonel Ronald Nangamba, Chief Executive Officer of the UPDF National Referral Hospital; Edith Buturo, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs; and other senior medical officers.