Making a difference in Uganda

A Ugandan’s life expectancy is among the lowest in the world. Despite increasing investment in healthcare, one in every 200 births ends the mother's life, around one million people are living with HIV and although malaria accounts for 14 per cent of all deaths, less than 10 per cent of children under the age of five sleep under insecticide-treated nets. 

At the same time, the burden of non-communicable diseases such as cancer and heart disease is placing more pressure on an already vastly under-resourced healthcare system. 

Rob Moodie, Professor of Public Health at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, believes one of the most powerful ways the University of Melbourne can contribute to the development of Uganda and other African countries is by arming young African leaders and professionals with the tools they need to make a difference: knowledge, the confidence and will to succeed, global networks, mentorship. And the most effective way of providing young people with these tools, according to Professor Moodie, is through education.

Earlier this year, the University of Melbourne held its first ever alumni gathering in Uganda, bringing together over twenty young Ugandans who have recently completed postgraduate studies in Melbourne. Among them were medical doctors who had trained in public health, as well as lawyers who had come to the University of Melbourne to complete a Master of Laws, with most specialising in energy and resources law. 

Held in Kampala, the gathering was hosted by Professor Moodie and attended by Patrick Bitature, the Honorary Australian Consul in Uganda; Patrick Barugahare, the Australia Awards Alumni Ambassador to Uganda; and Aggrey Kagonyera, Chairman of the Australia Alumni Association of Uganda.

All of the graduates had completed their studies with the support of the Australia Awards scholarships: prestigious international scholarships and fellowships funded by the Australian Government that aim to contribute to the long-term development needs of Australia's partner countries. 

Professor Moodie says that by investing in skills and knowledge, Australia is playing a vital role in helping to build Uganda’s human resource capacity. 

“Along with gaining new skills and perspectives, the common theme we hear about from our Uganda graduates is the confidence and energy they have gained through their time in Melbourne,” says Professor Moodie. 

“Although some have come up against challenges, they have all been keen to ‘bust through,’ as there is so much to be done in Uganda.”

Dr Ann Akiteng studied a Master of Public Health at the University of Melbourne after training as a medical doctor in Uganda. Upon her return, Dr Akiteng joined the Uganda Ministry of Health. Based in the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) prevention and control program, she has spearheaded the development of Uganda’s national NCDs policy, strategic plan, screening guidelines and healthcare worker training materials. 

Earlier this year, Dr Akiteng represented Uganda at the World Health Organization’s formal meeting in Geneva to develop the framework for the Global Co-ordination Mechanisms on Prevention and Control of NCDs. Mortality from NCDs is on the rise in Uganda, and the burden on households due to ill-health and loss of income is significant. 

Dr Akiteng says that her degree from Melbourne prepared her to excel in the field she was most passionate about: health, and more broadly, NCDs. 

“I went in to the Master of Public Health with limited knowledge and skills but came out fully equipped. That feeling alone gave me a lot of confidence and a sense of authority in the field of public health. It means that whatever I am doing now is impacting the health of Ugandans in so many different ways,” she says.

“My sincere gratitude goes to the Australian government for the scholarship and to the University of Melbourne for the dedicated staff who impart knowledge and skills to us; and to the special teachers and mentors who go the extra mile to ensure that we make the best out of our education, careers and life.

“It is the best investment they can offer to Africa.”

Master of Public Health: 

http://pgh.unimelb.edu.au/future/coursework/public_health 

Australia Awards: 

http://www.australiaawards.gov.au/