As Japan and Uganda continue to strengthen their bilateral relations, the Japanese Ambassador to Uganda His Excellency Sasayama Takuya has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s development and infrastructure projects.
“We will continue to strengthen our cooperation with Uganda, focusing on economic growth, sustainable development and regional integration…”, Ambassador Sasayama Takuya said during the commissioning and handover of medical equipment worth 10 billion Uganda shillings donated by JICA to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital (JRRH) on Friday 13 February,2026.
The ambassador congratulated Uganda for its peaceful and democratic 2026 general elections in which President Yoweri Museveni won with a landslide victory.
He highlighted the shared values and leadership of President Museveni and Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, emphasizing the strong bond between the two sovereign nations.
The current Prime Minister of Japan is Sanae Takaichi, who has been in office since 21st October,2025 becoming the first woman to hold this position and has led the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to a historic victory in the 8th February lower election, securing 316 seats in the 465-member House of Representatives.
Speaking off the cuff, Ambassador Sasayama Takuya outlined Japan’s plans to support Uganda’s railway transport system, the Kampala-Jinja Express Way and other key sectors through JICA.
“Uganda is a strategic regional trading partner in the region and we are committed to working with the East African Community (EAC)member states to drive regional growth and development”, he said.
Ambassador Takuya Sasayama highlighted that Japan’s contributions to Uganda extend beyond mere financial donations, emphasizing a deeper commitment to humanity and the welfare of the Ugandan people.
He further urged the hospital staff to fully leverage the newly provided equipment, viewing it not just as an upgrade in tools, but as a catalyst for professional growth.
The ambassador emphasized that by actively utilizing these advanced resources, medical personnel could significantly enhance their skills and expand their knowledge, ultimately leading to a substantial improvement in the quality of healthcare services delivered to the people of Uganda.
This commitment to continuous learning and advanced medical practice, he noted, would ensure that the investment in new technology directly translates into tangible health benefits for communities across the nation.
Unlike some powerful developed countries, Japan’s foreign policy emphasizes non-interference in internal affairs and in Uganda Japan focuses on cooperation and development partnerships, avoiding involvement in domestic politics.
Japan prioritizes mutual respect, sovereignty and cooperation over internal issues, aligning with Uganda’s development goals.
The JRRH Director Dr Alfred Yayi expressed deep appreciation for Japan’s generous donation, which includes 641 medical equipment valued at 445 Japanese Yen approximately 2,887,348 USD an equivalent of 10Bn/=.
He said the equipment has enhanced diagnostic services, dental care, surgical services and patient monitoring, among others.
Dr Yayi, in a scripted speech, acknowledged the challenges facing the hospital which serves more than 4.5 million people in Busoga and beyond as power outages, limited funding and working space constraints and made recommendations for government support and JICA assistance.
He underscored the transformative impact of the new medical equipment, highlighting specific advancements across various departments.
Dr Yayi noted that previously limited diagnostic capabilities have been significantly enhanced with the introduction of a new digital X-ray machine, four state-of-the-art ultrasound machines, and a gastroendoscopy machine.
Dental services also received a substantial boost with three new dental chairs and a dedicated dental -Xray machine. For surgical procedures, the hospital is now equipped with five anesthesia machines, two modern operating tables, an electrosurgical unit, comprehensive sets of surgical instruments, and upgraded sterilization and laundry machines. Furthermore, patient care is set to improve dramatically with 17 new oxygen concentrators for oxygen supply and 20 patient monitors for enhanced patient observation. Even mortuary services have been upgraded with new refrigerators.
Commenting on these significant additions, the usually reserved Dr. Alfred Yayi expressed profound optimism, stating that the new equipment has boosted the work experience and morale of the clinical staff. He enthusiastically shared that the clinical confidence of doctors, nurses, and technicians has been noticeably enhanced.
Dr. Yayi also informed the excited audience that the hospital’s capacity for training health professionals, a core part of its mandate, has seen remarkable improvement. Crucially, he anticipates a significant reduction in referrals for specialized diagnosis and treatment, signifying a major leap forward in the hospital’s ability to provide comprehensive care directly to the Ugandan people.
Dr Alfred Yayi made several recommendations urging government to establish dedicated power lines through relevant departments and ministries.
He also appealed to JICA to support the construction of a new OPD and Accident and Emergency Unit. Additionally, Dr Yayi advocated for the upgrade of the Nalufenya campus to an independent specialized pediatric hospital.
The NRM Vice chairperson for eastern region/MP-elect Soroti City West Division Hon David Calvin Echodu hailed the donation as part of NRM manifesto, stressing the party’s commitment to healthcare development.
“We shall continue to do more and register achievements in the health sector, a key pillar in our manifesto”, he said.
The event was also attended by the Jinja RCC Richard Gulume Balyainho who projected that Uganda’s population will hit 100 million by 2046 emphasizing the need for a proactive approach on all fronts.
He stressed the importance of modern up-to-date equipment and personnel who continually upgrade their skills.
Gulume also called for a new approach to infrastructure upgrade suggesting a review of Jinja Regional Referral Hospital’s Physical or Master plan, established in the 1930s when the population was much smaller.
The veteran RCC who doubles as the Dean of RDCs in Busoga advocated for storied buildings, noting that while population grows, land remains static.
As a dedicated NRM cadre and leader, Gulume thanked the people of Busoga for voting for NRM and President Museveni.
Dr Joseph Okware represented the Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine who was unable to attend in person. Dr Okware in an address recounted the crucial role played by Dr Diana Atwine in ensuring that Jinja Regional Referral Hospital should benefit from the donation.
Ms. Irene Yoichi the Chief Representative JICA Uganda office also graced the ceremony.
