KCCA ED PRAISES AGHA KHAN UNIVERSITY SPECTACULAR HEALTH AND EDUCATION HUB IN KAMPALA

The Executive Director of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Dorothy Kisaka, has commended the Aga Khan University (AKU) for its transformative project, which is set to revolutionize education and healthcare in Uganda.

Kisaka on Friday paid a visit to the Aga Khan University’s site where Amin Mawji OBE, the Diplomatic Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network in Uganda, received her.

After a short brief about the project, Kisaka embarked on a guided tour of the 60-acre site, where the AKU is constructing a health and education hub set to become a future center of excellence in Kampala.

During the visit, the KCCA Director of Egineering and Technical Services, Eng Justus Akankwasa and the Deputy Director of Medical Services Dr Sarah Zalwango accompanied Kisaka.

The guests explored key components of the development, including the construction of the medical center building, student housing, and the academic facility.

Kisaka expressed her enthusiasm for the transformative project of the construction of a hospital and University t its expansive campus in Nakawa in Kampala.

Expressing her excitement about the development, Dorothy Kisaka remarked, "We are looking forward to this happening so that we don't have to fly again to Nairobi for health care services." The project is particularly significant for Uganda, as it marks a substantial step towards reducing the need for citizens to seek healthcare abroad.

The entire initiative has garnered support from various quarters, with funding provided by His Highness the Aga Khan, generous donors, and the Government of Germany's BMZ and KfW. The East African Community has also played a pivotal role in supporting the project.

Mawji shared that the goal is to establish a hub that not only provides top-notch education but also serves as a beacon of health, incorporating an international school linked to the university.

Mawji expressed gratitude to President Yoweri Museveni for his generosity in providing the 60-acre land for the project.

The project is also poised to integrate a university, primary and secondary schools, and a state-of-the-art medical center.

The entire initiative is a significant investment by AKU in East Africa, aiming to expand the University's School of Nursing and Midwifery and train specialists in fields such as internal medicine and surgery.

Salim Lakhanic, the Project Lead at Aga Khan University, highlighted that the hospital, a crucial component of the development, will include a seven-storey University Centre and a nine-storey student housing building.

The academic facility, constructed by Arab Contractors, will be the university's main center, featuring an amphitheater, auditorium, cafeterias, classrooms, and a library. Additionally, a 184-capacity student housing building equipped with modern amenities is in progress, promising a comfortable and conducive living environment for students.

The hospital, set to start with 100 beds, will offer specialized care in nearly two dozen medical specialties, all powered by solar energy in pursuit of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.

Lakhanic also mentioned that the hospital's first phase will include facilities such as medical centers, x-ray labs, endoscopy, triage, and dental care.

The AKU has been actively contributing to Uganda's development for 23 years, graduating thousands of professionals in nursing, medicine, education, and journalism.