The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, on Monday officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a UGX 180 billion College of Health Sciences building at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST).
Representing President Yoweri Museveni, Tayebwa said the government remains committed to establishing and strengthening public universities with specialized training in fields critical to Uganda’s development agenda. He applauded MUST for its significant contribution to producing medical professionals and advancing research.
“So, we would want you to focus, and the moment you remain focused, then we shall also be focused on supporting you, and we are even going to support you more because during COVID, the Lung Institute did great for us,” Tayebwa said. He revealed that the government has already secured UGX 31 billion as part of the funding for the project and underscored the importance of universities offering transformative programs that prioritize quality over quantity for sustainable national growth.
Professor Jack H. Pen-Mogi Nyeko, the Chancellor of MUST, commended President Museveni for opening up the education sector to private partnership, which has enabled the establishment of 262 universities and other degree-awarding institutions across the country. He noted that while increased access to education is commendable, the growing number of graduates—approximately 200,000 annually—has created a job market strain which now requires strategic focus.
Dr. Joseph Ngozi, the Head of the Faculty of Health Sciences, said the Faculty of Medicine currently has 25 departments with distinct specialties. He noted that the new College of Health Sciences will comprise six schools—Medicine and Dentistry, Biomedical Sciences, Medical Laboratory Science, Public Health, and Nursing. He confirmed that part of the funding had already been received and that construction would commence immediately.
He further explained that the college will be led by a principal, deputized by a deputy principal, while each school will have a dean, deputy dean, and departmental heads. MUST Guild President, Lucky Ariho Rwabuturumba, welcomed the development, saying the current structures are dilapidated and inadequate for producing quality health professionals. “I believe this investment will drive the university to increase the number of courses offered by the faculty,” he said.
During the university’s recent 34th graduation ceremony, Minister of Agriculture Frank Tumwebaze, delivering a message from First Lady and Minister of Education Janet Museveni, announced an additional UGX 25 billion government investment for the establishment of the College of Health Sciences. He reaffirmed the government’s ambition to position MUST as a regional hub of scientific excellence.
The contract for the construction has been awarded to the National Housing and Construction Corporation and is expected to be completed within three years. The Board Chairperson, Hon. Sylvester Wanjuzi Wasieba, pledged to deliver quality work on schedule. Engineer Kaijuka Kenneth, the corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, said the new college will sit on 7.8 acres and will include internal and external works such as sewer systems, power installations, and gas lines, confirming readiness to commence operations.
Once completed, the College of Health Sciences will become the first fully-fledged college established by MUST since its founding 36 years ago.
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