The Aga Khan University (AKU) in Uganda recently held a significant outreach event at its new Nakawa Campus, ahead of its official launch later in the year. Religious leaders from different faiths came together to tour the new campus and learn more about AKU's impact in the country and the region. The leaders included Sheikh Muhammad Ali Wasswa, Second Deputy Mufti of Uganda and Imam at Makerere University Business School, Nakawa; Reverend Emmanuel Kalagala, Archdeacon of the Church of the Resurrection Bugolobi; and Mr Mukesh Shukra from the Hindu community. Also present were diplomats, University staff, alumni, development partners, and local stakeholders.
This new campus represents a substantial step forward in AKU's long-term vision for Uganda and the broader East African region. AKU President Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin emphasized that the Nakawa campus is a crucial element in fulfilling the overarching mission initiated by the Founding Chancellor His Highness the Aga Khan IV: to ensure Ugandans have access to quality education and healthcare within their own country. This enduring vision is now being championed by the Chancellor His Highness the Aga Khan V and Pro-Chancellor Princess Zahra Aga Khan.
The new Nakawa campus is poised to significantly advance contextually relevant education, deliver world-class healthcare, and drive impactful research. It directly aligns with AKU's global vision and mission, as well as Uganda's national development agenda.
Dr Shahabuddin emphasised the immense potential the new campus brings, highlighting its role in cultivating skilled professionals who will contribute directly to Uganda's growth and beyond. "We can build beautiful structures and invest in cutting-edge technologies, but the real value of a university lies in its alumni," he stated, commending the alumni for their contributions in academics, research, and community service.
Nakibobeka Moureen, BSc Nursing, Class of 2024 expressed her enthusiasm for the new facilities: "This campus speaks to me. It represents a wave of opportunities for students to grow academically and in research. With its world-class infrastructure and modern equipment, I believe it will shape Uganda's next generation of skilled professionals."
Similarly, Anthony Magemeso, an alumnus and student preceptor, described the campus opening as a “magnificent start" that brings renewed energy to the University's mission.
Later this year, AKU will welcome the first cohort of the new four-year Bachelor of Nursing Science – Direct Entry programme. At full capacity, the campus will be home to 100 faculty and staff and 700 students – 164 of whom will be living full-time on campus in the new student housing building.
A highly anticipated addition to the campus is the upcoming Aga Khan University Hospital, which promises to revolutionize healthcare delivery in Uganda. This cutting-edge facility will not only serve as a premier training ground for AKU students but will also substantially boost the country's healthcare capacity. Once operational, the Aga Khan University Hospital will provide international-quality care in nearly two dozen specialties – from cardiology to oncology, from neurology to obstetrics and gynaecology. It will also form a vital node in the Aga Khan Development Network's health system in East Africa, which already serves more than 1.8 million patients each year.
The University Leadership extended its gratitude to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the Government of Uganda for fostering an enabling environment for its growth. Appreciation was also extended to the Uganda and global communities, donors, volunteers, and the alumni network for their continued support.
