The United States and Uganda have deepened their health and economic cooperation, with Washington committing up to $1.7 billion (about Shs6.3 trillion) to a new five-year health partnership valued at $2.3 billion (about Shs8.5 trillion).
The new Uganda-US Health Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is expected to change how the two countries deliver health assistance, with greater emphasis on government leadership, domestic financing, performance and integration of health programmes.
US Chargé d’Affaires Mikael Cleverley said the arrangement would bring together programmes that have traditionally operated separately, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and pandemic preparedness.
“What’s different about this new way of doing work on the health side is that it involves a type of partnership with the Ugandan government that hasn’t existed before inasmuch as we will be providing direct leadership with the Ugandan government on the programmes,” Cleverley said.
Under the agreement, the United States will provide up to $1.7 billion, while the Ugandan government will contribute more than $570 million (about Shs2.1 trillion) in new domestic health spending.
Cleverley said the Ugandan government would take on greater responsibility for managing the programmes from one year to the next.
“It involves co-investment from the Ugandan government. It involves performance-based support. And then it integrates various aspects of our health assistance, which previously had been siloed,” he said.
A joint health steering committee, co-led by Cleverley and the Minister of Health, will provide strategic direction for the partnership.
The agreement supports government-led responses to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and pandemic diseases, while strengthening Uganda’s health systems and emergency preparedness.
The US Embassy said its health cooperation with Uganda has contributed to stopping more than 600 disease outbreaks over the past two decades.
The United States also remains Uganda’s largest contributor to humanitarian assistance, although Washington said it was shifting to new delivery mechanisms aimed at improving the efficiency, accountability and lifesaving impact of emergency assistance.
US investment push
Cleverley also said Washington was seeking to attract more American investment into Uganda, particularly in sectors identified under the government’s agro-industrialisation, tourism, minerals and science and technology priorities.
He pointed to recent investments and commercial agreements involving American companies as evidence of growing interest in Uganda.
On September 1, SpaceX’s Starlink launched its Low Earth Orbit satellite internet service in Uganda after obtaining a five-year provisional licence from the government.
On June 10, Uganda Airlines and Boeing signed a $2.37 billion agreement for 10 aircraft, described by the embassy as the largest single commercial deal in the history of the US-Uganda bilateral relationship.
The official opening of the Kampala Marriott Hotel and Executive Apartments in Nsambya was also cited as evidence of growing investor confidence in Uganda’s tourism and hospitality sector.
Cleverley said the embassy was working with several American companies on additional investment opportunities in Uganda worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
“We want the types of investments that create opportunities here, that add value, that advance the tenfold growth strategy of the government, that can target some of the growth sectors as well,” he said.
He said the embassy’s role was to help American companies understand the Ugandan market and provide mechanisms to reduce investment risks.
‘Relationship at its best’
Cleverley described the current US-Uganda relationship as being at its strongest point, saying Washington had instructed its representatives to broaden cooperation with Uganda.
“We have political will on both sides to do more together,” he said.
He identified commercial diplomacy as a major priority, alongside health and security cooperation.
“We’re at a great point right now. It’s the best the relationship has been, as far as I’m concerned, and now we’re just going to take it to the next level,” Cleverley said.
He said Washington was also interested in working with Uganda on peace and security, including regional and wider international security efforts.
250 years of US independence
Cleverley made the remarks on September 24 during the US Embassy’s celebration of 250 years of American independence.
The event, which was delayed from July because of mass gatherings and health guidance during Uganda’s Ebola outbreak, brought together officials and other guests to mark the anniversary.
Cleverley said the occasion was an opportunity to celebrate the courage, resilience, innovation and determination that had shaped the United States and its relationships around the world.
“We celebrate today those remarkable people who laid the foundation for our country,” he said.
He described what he called the “American Edge” as qualities including innovation, philanthropy, pragmatism, transparency, industry and creativity, which he said the US brings to its partnerships.
More than a century of ties
The embassy said US-Uganda relations have been strengthened by more than a century of exchanges, beginning in 1909 when former US president Theodore Roosevelt travelled to Uganda as part of a scientific expedition.
Today, more than 6,000 Ugandans who have participated in US exchange programmes are contributing to the country’s economic, social and civic development, according to the embassy.
The American Center, which opened in Kampala in January, also receives thousands of Ugandans seeking opportunities to learn, connect and engage with American culture and institutions.
The embassy said sports diplomacy was becoming another pillar of the relationship, with Uganda’s Ghetto Kids performing alongside Colombian singer Shakira at the FIFA World Cup final.
Uganda is also scheduled to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations next year, which the embassy said would provide further opportunities for sports and cultural engagement.
The embassy said the 250th anniversary was not only a commemoration of American history but also an opportunity to deepen cooperation with Uganda.
“Freedom 250 is more than a commemoration of America’s past; it is a commitment to building the future with trusted nations such as Uganda,” the embassy said.
