MUST Hands Over Site for Landmark College of Health Sciences Project to NEC

Mbarara, 27 April 2026 — Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) has officially handed over the construction site for its highly anticipated College of Health Sciences to National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), marking a major milestone in the institution’s expansion and Uganda’s broader health sector development agenda.

The multi-billion project, located in Mbarara City, is set to transform MUST into a premier hub for medical education and research in the region. Once completed, the College of Health Sciences will comprise a modern Administration Block and specialized schools including Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory Sciences, Medicine and Dentistry, Nursing, Public Health, and Pharmacy. The development will also feature a state-of-the-art 500-seat auditorium and a Wellness Centre designed to support both academic and community health needs.

The project was formally launched by Yoweri Museveni, who laid its foundation stone on December 1, 2025, underscoring the government’s commitment to strengthening health training infrastructure across the country.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, MUST Council Chairman Dr. Warren Namara described the project as a “landmark investment” aligned with the President’s vision of expanding access to quality health education. He noted that NEC’s selection was guided by a presidential directive prioritizing the involvement of the national defense-linked construction arm in delivering critical public infrastructure.

Dr. Namara pointed to NEC’s proven track record, particularly its successful completion of MUST’s Faculty of Computing and Informatics complex, as evidence of the corporation’s technical competence and reliability.

Representing NEC’s Managing Director Lt. Gen. James Mugira, Maj. Gen. Innocent Oula reaffirmed the contractor’s commitment to delivering the project on time and to the highest standards. He emphasized NEC’s strict adherence to quality assurance protocols and a zero-tolerance stance on corruption throughout the construction process.

Maj. Gen. Oula further highlighted NEC’s extensive experience in executing similar large-scale academic infrastructure projects across the country, including works at Makerere University, Gulu University, Busitema University, Lira University, Soroti University, and Moroto University, positioning the corporation as a key player in Uganda’s education infrastructure development.

MUST Vice Chancellor Pauline Byakika described the upcoming College of Health Sciences as a transformative center of excellence that will significantly boost the university’s capacity to train highly skilled health professionals. She stressed that the facility will not only enhance teaching and research but also contribute to addressing Uganda’s growing demand for qualified healthcare workers.

Prof. Byakika expressed confidence in NEC’s ability to deliver the project successfully, citing its experience and previous performance. She added that the new college will strengthen MUST’s reputation as a leading science and technology institution and deepen its contribution to national development.

The construction of the College of Health Sciences comes at a time when Uganda is prioritizing investment in human capital development, particularly in the health sector. With increasing demand for medical services and training, the project is expected to play a pivotal role in producing the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and public health specialists.

Once completed, the facility is anticipated to not only serve Uganda but also attract students and researchers from across the region, positioning MUST as a center of academic excellence in East Africa.