On 4th July 2024, Mbarara University of Science and Technology and Uganda Red Cross Society signed an MoU as a commitment to an important collaborative partnership. Coming down to witnessing the memorable event was high-ranking officials from both institutions, including Secretary General URCS, Robert Kwesiga, and Ag. Vice Chancellor MUST Prof. Celestino Obua, University Secretary Mr. Vincent Kwatampora, and University Legal Officer Timothy Mugumya Esq. The URCS delegation to the conference included Dr. Harriet Kagoya Kibuule, the director of operations, with counsel Grace Mark Tusubira, the policy and advocacy manager.
The understanding among the agencies is that the kind of high-quality, sustainable humanitarian support envisioned in the MoU is in line with the URCS vision of being a strategic ally in saving lives, building resilient communities, and advancing human dignity. In the long term, such a partnership can leverage the unique strengths of the two organizations to address critical community challenges through the application of innovative research and practical responses.
Key Figures:
URCS Secretary General Robert Kwesiga spoke of his excitement for the partnership, emphasizing that it is in line with the core values of the Red Cross. He reasoned that the collaboration will boost health care in the country in a way that will help mitigate health challenges, build capacity, and improve response to emergencies.
Prof. Celestino Obua, Vice Chancellor of Mbarara University of Science and Technology: The collaborative effort was highly acknowledged. He repeated that this MoU is a very great milestone realized. He thanked the partnership, saying it firmly fits in their mission and that of the other institution. Prof. Obua thanked the leadership from the Deans at the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies who worked on the MoU: Dr. Viola Nyakato, Dr. Rogers Bariyo, and Dr. Wendo Mlhagwa.
The Purpose of the Partnership:
- Health Improvement: The collaboration will focus on shared activities in the areas of health challenges, building capacity, and strengthening quick response to emergencies.
- Innovative Strategies: The collaboration will move toward redesigning innovative methods for addressing emerging issues brought about in the health sector and for human resource development.
Impact and the way forward:
This strategic partnering between MUST and URCS marks a great milestone in the address of humanitarian challenges faced by Uganda. It is a two-way partnership integrating MUST’s research capabilities with URCS’s extensive community network and is well-aligned towards driving innovation in building community resilience and increasing improved livelihoods among many Ugandans. “Succeed we Must” is our tagline here at MUST. This epitomizes the university’s quest for this tangible impact on society.
About Uganda Red Cross Society:
The Uganda Red Cross Society is an independent humanitarian organization that works to support the most vulnerable communities within Uganda. The URCS, an active member of the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement, operates under the Fundamental Principles of Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality. For further details, check the link URCS About Us.
