Alumni event in Uganda: celebrating decades of collaboration and academic exchanges
Makerere University in Uganda and Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have been collaborating for nearly 25 years. On November 11th 2024 they celebrated their successful partnership during an alumni event at Makerere University's College of Health Sciences in Kampala, Uganda. The event highlighted their achievements, including a joint doctoral program that has supported nearly 50 Makerere doctoral students, many earning double degrees, and the publication of over 500 peer-reviewed articles.
Sustained collaboration
The President of Karolinska Institutet, Annika Östman Wernerson, visited Makerere University in November 2024. Together with Makerere University and the leadership of the College of Health Sciences, she hosted an alumni event on 11th November to celebrate alumni and the collaboration between KI and Makerere through the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Health. She praised this partnership as a “remarkable example of sustained collaboration,” noting achievements and extensive participation in transformative academic exchanges by over 200 students and 150 educators.
"Alumni embody the goals and efforts of a university; in many ways you are the very images of what we teach. How high you climb that ladder can only be limited by the strength of your fellow alumni community".
Strong partnership
Swedish Ambassador Maria Håkansson emphasized the strong and ongoing partnership between Sweden and Uganda, particularly in areas of sustainable development and health. She highlighted key initiatives like the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Health, a collaborative effort between Makerere and KI aimed at developing capacity and mobilising actions to drive the agenda for sustainable health.
Makerere University and Karolinska Institutet signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2003 to support doctoral education.
The collaboration later expanded to include faculty and student exchanges. This partnership has also led to the creation of an active alumni network comprising health professionals and researchers.
Collaborative research and training
Rhoda Wanyenze, Dean of the School of Public Health, delivered an inspiring speech that captivated the audience with her insights and passion for sustainable health. As both a distinguished speaker and a skilled moderator, she guided the discussions with great expertise, ensuring a dynamic and engaging flow of ideas. Her leadership and deep knowledge of the field added immense value to the event, highlighting the importance of collaboration in advancing healthcare and scientific research.
Over 200 students and 150 teachers have participated in exchanges through this collaboration, taking part in the following educational programs:
Dentistry, Medicine, Midwifery, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Public Health Sciences, and Speech and Language Pathology.
Collaboration with Uganda
The partnership between Makerere University and Karolinska Institutet has been a transformative force in advancing Uganda's health sector.
By providing Swedish-funded scholarships to over 700 Ugandan scientists, this collaboration has significantly elevated research capacity, fostered innovation, and cultivated a new generation of leaders in medical and scientific fields.
Advancing medical education
The collaboration, largely supported by the Sida Research Training Partnership Program (2001-2022), has produced nearly 50 PhD graduates and more than 500 peer-reviewed articles. Annette Nakimuli, Dean of the School of Medicine, emphasized the alignment of this milestone with the school’s centennial celebrations, recognizing KI’s significant role in advancing medical education.
"As an exchange student, I had the privilege of benefiting from this partnership, and it has been a life-changing experience. Thank you for your efforts in fostering global partnerships and creating opportunities for students like me".
Improving healthcare practices
The partnership’s impact extends to healthcare practice, with professionals like Sarah Muwanguzi from Naguru Hospital citing improved midwifery practices as a direct result of collaborative research and MIDWIZE innovation and leadership program. This longstanding partnership reflects a shared vision for advancing science, education, and health across Uganda.
Building a better future together
With Sweden’s renewed 25-year commitment to strengthening Uganda’s medical and scientific workforce, the partnership promises to drive sustainable improvements in healthcare, increase scientific contributions, and address critical health challenges in the region.
Through joint initiatives, such as the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Health, this partnership will continue to build capacity, cultivate innovation, and expand contributions to global health solutions. The renewed commitment underscores Sweden’s dedication to sustainable development, supporting training programs, academic exchanges, and research collaborations that are essential to improving health infrastructure.
