The United States Embassy has expressed interest in strengthening partnerships with communities in the Kigezi sub-region in areas including poverty reduction, healthcare, education and youth innovation.
The US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires in Uganda, Mikael (Mika) Cleverley, made the remarks during his engagement tour of Kabale District, which concluded with a meeting with leaders of Kabale Diocese.
During the visit, Cleverley held discussions with church leaders, health officials, educators and residents on opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the United States and communities in Kigezi.
He said the US was particularly interested in supporting innovative ideas that can create opportunities for young people and strengthen links between education and industry.
Cleverley began his visit on Monday at Kabale University, where he and his delegation participated in an outreach engagement under the theme: “From Kigezi to America: Advancing Internationalization, American Partnerships, and Industry Innovation in the Spirit of Freedom 250.”
The engagement explored opportunities for academic collaboration, student exchange programmes, innovation, industry partnerships and stronger connections between Kigezi and the United States.
On Tuesday, Cleverley commissioned the Kabale Public Library Digital Community ICT Learning Centre in Mwanjari, Kabale Southern Division.
The centre attracts more than 5,000 people each week seeking to acquire digital skills.
Cleverley told residents that the US was interested in supporting young people with innovative ideas, particularly in information and communication technology, banking and the private sector.
He said support could include linking young innovators to capital and other opportunities to develop their ideas.
The centre was supported by America Tower Corporation Uganda.
Poverty reduction
At Kabale Diocese, Cleverley met the Diocesan Apostolic Administrator Rt Rev Callist Rubaramira, the newly appointed Bishop of Kabale Diocese, Msgr Bonaventure Gubazire, and other diocesan officials.
Officials from Our Lady of Good Shepherd Rushoroza Hospital also attended the meeting, which focused on healthcare, poverty reduction and improving the wellbeing of communities in Kigezi.
Bishop Rubaramira said poverty remains one of the major challenges facing communities in the region.
He cited Uganda Bureau of Statistics figures indicating that about 166,300 people in Kigezi live below the national income poverty line, while multidimensional poverty also remains a challenge.
He said Kabale Diocese has been supporting vulnerable families through social programmes, agricultural initiatives and other livelihood projects aimed at helping communities improve their incomes.
He said the diocese’s interventions complement government programmes such as the Parish Development Model.
Bishop Rubaramira also identified land fragmentation and population pressure as major challenges in Kigezi, urging communities to make more productive use of the limited land available.
He thanked the US for its partnership with Kabale Diocese, particularly in supporting efforts to combat diseases and improve livelihoods.
Cleverley commended the diocese for its contribution to improving the welfare of communities and its collaboration with government and other development partners.
Rushoroza seeks support
The meeting also provided an opportunity for Our Lady of Good Health Rushoroza Hospital to highlight its growing healthcare needs.
The hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr Martin Bikorwomuhangi, said increasing demand for services has created a need for expansion and additional resources.
Dr Bikorwomuhangi said the hospital has continued to benefit from support from the US and American people, particularly in HIV, tuberculosis and human resources.
He said the number of outpatients has increased significantly, putting pressure on the hospital’s infrastructure and operational resources.
Dr Bikorwomuhangi said Rushoroza Hospital was ranked the best hospital in the Kigezi region this year, while an earlier Ministry of Health assessment ranked it sixth nationally.
He said the recognition reflects the hospital’s efforts to provide quality healthcare despite increasing demand.
He said the US Embassy visit provided an opportunity to discuss how the existing partnership could be strengthened to improve healthcare services and ensure that residents can access quality medical care within their communities.
Kabale Diocese serves communities in the six Kigezi districts of Kabale, Rukungiri, Kisoro, Kanungu, Rubanda and Rukiga.
