In a monumental leap for African medicine, MUST and MRRH have successfully conducted the first-ever Awake Craniotomy in Uganda and the wider East African region.
The ground-breaking procedure took place during the 3rd International Neurosurgery Conference (February 26th–27th, 2026). This historic milestone was achieved through a strategic partnership with the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) and the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA).
The procedure involved a 47-year-old male patient with a Left Parietal Glioma a tumor located in a sensitive region of the brain responsible for motor skills and sensation. To ensure the tumor was removed without causing permanent paralysis or speech loss, the surgical team kept the patient fully conscious throughout the operation.
By interacting with the patient in real-time, the surgeons could “map” the brain’s functional boundaries. This allowed them to achieve maximum tumor resection while preserving the patient’s quality of life. One-week post-surgery, the patient is fully recovered, walking, and speaking a testament to the precision of this pioneering technique. Said Prof. Kitya.
This historic “first” was co-led by the best neurosurgeons:
Ryan Ormond, MD, PhD (CU Anschutz): An Associate Professor and Director of the Brain Tumor Program in Colorado. A graduate of the University of Washington and University of Bonn, Dr. Ormond is a global authority on neurosurgical oncology and intraoperative mapping.
David Kitya (MUST/MRRH): A senior figure in East African neurosurgery, President of the Neurosurgical Society of Uganda (NSU), and the academic visionary who recently launched the Master of Medicine in Neurosurgery at MUST.
Blessing Michael Taremwa is a Uganda-based neurosurgeon specializing in skull base and cerebrovascular surgery at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital and Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
He is known for performing advanced neurosurgical procedures and working to increase access to specialized care.
Joseph Kiwanuka served as the lead anesthesiologist and a critical pillar of the neurosurgical team during this landmark engagement. In specialized procedures like the Awake Craniotomy, the role of the anesthesiologist shifts from traditional sedation to a complex “conscious sedation” model, where the patient must be kept pain-free and calm yet fully awake to interact with the surgeons during brain mapping
This achievement is a definitive signal that Uganda has entered the global stage of surgical innovation. By talking to the brain while repairing it, MUST has not only saved a life but has redefined what is possible in East African healthcare.
“Today, we have proven that the frontiers of science have no borders. By bringing the world’s most advanced surgical techniques to Mbarara, we are not just witnessing history; we are writing it. We remain steadfast in our mission to innovate and serve because, for the health of our nation, Succeed we MUST'”
In her remarks, Vice Chancellor Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika celebrated the MUST-CU Anschutz partnership as a historic leap for regional healthcare, highlighted by the successful execution of the region’s first-ever awake craniotomy. She emphasized that this collaboration transcends surgery, embedding a sustainable legacy through the mentorship of local residents and the donation of advanced neuro-navigation technology. By providing elite-level medical care to vulnerable community members who otherwise could not afford it, the initiative fulfills MUST’s core mission of social equity while significantly elevating its “Global Innovation Brand” as a pioneer in specialized science and technology.
“At Mbarara University of Science and Technology, we believe that Science provides the blueprint, Technology provides the tools, and Partnership provides the pulse that brings innovation to life. By merging global expertise with local ingenuity, we are not just advancing medicine; we are proving that the most complex frontiers of the human brain can be conquered when we bridge the gap between borders, ensuring that the future of neurosurgical excellence belongs to every community we serve.”
For more information, click here to watch the surgery. Caution: This stream contains graphic footage of an open surgery. Discretion is advised as we share this monumental leap for African medicine.
