Bienvenida: Cuban Ambassador to Uganda at MUST
Geared towards augmenting the partnership between the Republic of Cuba and the Republic of Uganda/MUST, the new Ambassador of Cuba to Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya H.E Dr. Tania Perez Xiques visited MUST on April 13, 2022. Cuba has had a close partnership with MUST since its inception in 1989. H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda requested the then President of Cuba H.E Fidel Castro to support Uganda in her cause to promote Science and Technology. Castro supported Uganda/MUST by sending Cuban Professors to work and skill human Resource in Uganda. These worked closely with the then Vice Chancellor Prof. F.I.B Kayanja to start Faculty of Medicine with four Cuban Professors. Since then, Cuba has continued to send Professors in different departments under Faculty of Medicine.
Prof. Celestino Obua, the Vice Chancellor of MUST welcomed the Ambassador H.E Dr. Tania Perez and appreciated the strong ties that have provided MUST with expertise in different disciplines in Medicine in the last 33 years. “MUST owes a lot to Cuba since it supported its establishment. The first cohorts of students that were taught are now in senor positions in and out of the country notwithstanding in senior teaching positions. The new Cuban professors working with these staff are enjoying the shade of the tree that was planted long ago”.
The current Cuban staff at MUST are; Prof. Carlos Manuel Cabrera Dreque, Prof. Yarine Farardo Tornes and Prof. Silvia Lopez Miranda.
H.E Dr. Tania Perez Xiques explained that sending their Professors to MUST is the main project that Cuba has in Uganda and they looked forward to the expansion of this partnership. This visit is one of the key activities in celebrating the bilateral ties between Uganda and Cuba that have existed for 48 years. She encouraged MUST to send a paper noting the current state of the partnership and highlight areas of engagement that can expand the partnership. This will be presented to the President of Uganda for discussion. She appreciated the warm environment that MUST has always accorded to the Cuban Professors.
The Ambassador was accompanied by her husband, Eng. Saul Silverio Swaby Wilson. These later toured Kihumuro Campus, the City campus, and Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital which is the teaching hospital of MUST.
Reminiscing upon the times when he was in school, Dr. Joseph Ngonzi the Dean of Faculty of Medicine and an alumnus of MUST said that the Cuban Professors were the best teachers and continue to be. This seen in their dedication and diligence to serve. He further described them as the unstoppable persons. Prof. Nixon Kamukama, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs thanked Cuba for sending committed staff who work tirelessly to support MUST in training students with great hands-on skills.
The visit has revitalized the ties between MUST and Cuba and provided more opportunities for advancement of the partnership.