By Ambrose Kweronda
www.mknewslink.com
In Kabale—
The United States Ambassador to Uganda, Mikael Cleverley, who serves as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, has encouraged Kabale University to strengthen partnerships with American universities and take advantage of educational exchange opportunities supported by the U.S. Embassy.
Cleverley made the remarks on 28th Sept.2026 during an outreach engagement at Kabale University, where students and university officials discussed challenges affecting students and opportunities for strengthening international partnerships, innovation and industry collaboration which held at Faculty of education Multipurpose conference hall .
He said the U.S. Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Section promotes people-to-people diplomacy, sports diplomacy, educational exchanges and partnerships between universities.
Cleverley said such partnerships can create opportunities for Kabale University, including the expansion of its Law Faculty and the establishment of mutually beneficial academic exchange programmes.
He revealed that more than 6,000 Ugandans have participated in U.S. exchange programmes and are now alumni of various American initiatives.
He said the programmes include the Young African Leaders Initiative, commonly known as YALI, Fulbright and several other exchange programmes.
According to Cleverley, participants return with new ideas, professional networks and skills that they can use to contribute to the development of their communities and the country.
He also encouraged Kabale University students and staff to make use of the American Center in Kampala, which provides free internet services and educational guidance.
Turning to innovation, Cleverley said successful innovation ecosystems require strong universities with talented students and professors who conduct practical research and develop solutions to societal challenges.
He identified private-sector involvement as another important component, saying universities need to work closely with businesses to access financing and commercialize research and innovations.
Cleverley said cooperation between universities and the private sector can also encourage students and professors to establish businesses based on their research and innovations.
He encouraged Kabale University to continue developing its innovation ecosystem by strengthening partnerships among the university, the private sector and government.
He said the university can attract international attention by showcasing its research and innovations to the rest of the world.
Kabale District Resident District Commissioner, Rtd. Maj. Godfrey Katamba, acknowledged the U.S. Government’s support for educational exchange programmes, including the Fulbright Programme, which brings American scholars, expertise and resources to institutions such as Kabale University.
He said the partnership goes beyond financial support, noting that it helps build lasting bridges for knowledge exchange, health cooperation and mutual understanding between Uganda and the United States.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Kabale University, Prof. Johnny Mugisha, said the university aims to strengthen partnerships with universities in the United States to promote research, education, and community development.
Prof. Mugisha said such partnerships would enable Kabale University to collaborate with American universities in conducting research, improving education, and contributing to the development of communities surrounding the university.