Georgetown University Assesses Local Efforts to End HIV/AIDS in Uganda

A team from the Georgetown University Medical Center for Global Health Practice and Impact (GHPI) embarked on a mission to Uganda, aimed at evaluating the capacity of local organizations in the fight against HIV/AIDS. 

Their focus centered on assessing the sustainability of programs led by the Uganda Muslim Medical Bureau (UMMB), a national entity known for its pivotal role in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care across hard-to-reach communities. With a network of 76 facilities, UMMB has been instrumental in reaching marginalized populations and delivering essential services.

The Georgetown team, comprising of Samson Haumba, Hugben Byarugaba, Sharon Kibwana, and Dr. Martine Etienne-Mesubi, met with UMMB representatives, including Executive Secretary Mr. Kivumbi Muzamir, HIV/AIDS Prevention and MCHN Technical Advisor Sr. Namakula Joweria, Head Clinical Services/ HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor Dr. Juma Kizito, Finance Manager Mrs. Namayaja Zam, and I.T, Advocacy, and Communication Specialist Mr. Wabusimba Amiri, the meeting took place at old Kampala Hospital Boardroom.

Uganda Muslim Medical Bureau (UMMB) is a national organization established by the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) in 1999 to coordinate activities of Muslim non-profit health institutions. The bureau has a total of 76 Health facilities and two health training institutions across the country that provides healthcare services, including HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment, to communities in Uganda. The organization has a long history of working with local communities & network facilities to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS.

The assessment focused on evaluating UMMB's capacity in terms of program implementation, resource mobilization, stakeholder engagement, and innovation. The team reviewed the organization's strategic plan, program budgets, and performance monitoring and evaluation systems. 'This assessment is critical for us to identify areas where we can strengthen our capacity and improve our effectiveness in combating HIV/AIDS,' said Mr. Muzamir.

The Georgetown team lauded UMMB's strong presence in Uganda, particularly in underserved communities, and praised the organization's commitment to providing comprehensive HIV/AIDS care and prevention services through its 76 network facilities. The team also noted the importance of UMMB's partnerships with other organizations, including the Ministry of Health and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). 'We are encouraged by UMMB's dedication and the progress they have made towards eliminating HIV/AIDS,' said Dr. Etienne-Mesubi.

'We look forward to continuing our collaboration with UMMB to support their efforts and contribute to the global fight against HIV/AIDS.' We are impressed with UMMB's dedication to reaching and serving vulnerable populations,' said Dr. Etienne-Mesubi. 'We believe that their work is essential to achieving the goal of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030.'

The results of the assessment will be shared with UMMB after the assessing returning to their office in Eswatini and this will inform the organization's strategic planning and capacity-building efforts. Uganda Muslim Medical Bureau is eagerly awaiting for the feedback and is optimistic that it will provide valuable insights to enhance their work in Uganda. The organization believes that this collaboration will help UMMB to continue to provide quality HIV/AIDS services to communities in Uganda.

The Georgetown University Medical Center for Global Health Practice and Impact is dedicated to improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations around the world. The GHPI team's visit to Uganda demonstrates their commitment to supporting local organizations and working towards the end of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.