{"id":136347,"date":"2026-03-16T13:04:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T13:04:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/136347\/"},"modified":"2026-03-16T13:04:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T13:04:11","slug":"remarks-by-ambassador-william-w-popp-for-must-visit-march-05-2026-as-prepared","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/136347\/","title":{"rendered":"Remarks by Ambassador William W. Popp for MUST Visit – March 05, 2026 | As Prepared"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mbarara University of Science and Technology<\/p>\n

\"\"Vice Chancellor, distinguished faculty members, honored guests, and most importantly\u2014students of Mbarara University of Science and Technology\u2014thank you for welcoming me to your campus today. This is my first visit to MUST, and I must say, the energy and excellence I feel here are inspiring.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been looking forward to this visit because MUST represents something vital: a commitment to science, to innovation, and to building the future through education. These are values that the United States shares deeply, and they\u2019re values that connect us across continents and cultures.<\/p>\n

Today, I want to talk with you about innovation, about the skills that will shape tomorrow\u2019s world, and about why the partnership between the United States and Uganda\u2014and specifically with this university\u2014matters so much for our shared future.<\/p>\n

This year, 2026, holds special significance for the United States. We\u2019re commemorating Freedom250 \u2014 the 250th anniversary of our nation\u2019s founding. As we mark this milestone, we\u2019re reflecting not just on our history, but on the spirit of innovation and determination that has defined the American experience.<\/p>\n

From our earliest days, Americans have been dreamers and builders. We\u2019ve believed that with curiosity, hard work, and a willingness to take risks, we can solve problems and create a better future.<\/p>\n

\"\"Think about Thomas Edison, working through thousands of failed experiments before perfecting the light bulb\u2014literally bringing light to the world. Or the Wright brothers, two bicycle mechanics who believed humans could fly, and on a cold December morning in 1903, proved it.<\/p>\n

In 1969, when Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon, he carried the dreams of millions who had dared to imagine the impossible. And we didn\u2019t stop there. We went to the moon, and now we are on the doorstep of Mars. Our satellites have flown millions of miles across the galaxy and peered into the very pillars of creation where stardust and gases collide to create the solar systems of tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Today, American innovation continues\u2014advancing artificial intelligence, making space more accessible through NASA and SpaceX, developing breakthrough biotechnology, renewable energy, and quantum computing.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s what\u2019s important: these innovations may have been born in America, but they have impacted the world. They have inspired researchers everywhere \u2014including right here in Mbarara.<\/p>\n

\"\"America has thrived in its great democratic experiment these 250 years because our founders recognized that government for the people and by the people ought to promote the innovation and creation of its citizens instead of throttle it. We take risks to allow our entrepreneurs to thrive. And we excel most when we unleash the creative talents of all our people.<\/p>\n

America today stands on the shoulders of giants. Our forebears have laid the foundation for growth and partnership at home and abroad\u2014including right here in Uganda.<\/p>\n

Which brings me to why I\u2019m so excited to be here today.<\/p>\n

The relationship between the United States and MUST is more than just a talking point\u2014it\u2019s a living, breathing collaboration that\u2019s advancing science and improving lives.<\/p>\n

Through the U.S. National Institutes of Health, we\u2019re investing in high-impact research right here in Mbarara. Your faculty and researchers are working on critical projects in public health, infectious diseases, and medical technology. Your scientists are contributing to global knowledge, developing solutions to challenges that affect people everywhere, and building Uganda\u2019s capacity as a center of scientific excellence.<\/p>\n

These collaborations do something powerful: they combine American resources and expertise with Ugandan knowledge, context, and innovation. The result is research that\u2019s more relevant, more impactful, and more sustainable, and the work that happens here makes Ugandans, and Americans safer.<\/p>\n

For more than six decades, the United States government has partnered with Ugandans to advance global health security.<\/p>\n

\"\"In September, we launched the America First Global Health Strategy\u00a0which outlines a comprehensive vision to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous while saving millions of lives, stopping the spread of diseases globally, and moving countries away from dependency on foreign assistance.\u00a0 Then in December we signed a\u00a0five-year, $2.3 billion Health MOU\u00a0with Uganda which\u00a0strengthens U.S. support for lifesaving programs across the country.<\/p>\n

It is important for you \u2013 and every Ugandan \u2013 to know that the Government of Uganda is stepping up by committing to increase domestic health spending by over $500 million over five years\u2014demonstrating\u00a0national ownership and shared responsibility.<\/p>\n

This MOU means protecting Americans and Ugandans alike by preventing disease outbreaks, strengthening surveillance, and building resilient health systems that can respond to HIV, TB, malaria, Ebola, and other future health threats.<\/p>\n

In order to achieve these goals, we need skilled expertise on the ground in Uganda, and that is where MUST is a key player.<\/p>\n

We see MUST as a hub of excellence\u2014not just for Uganda, but for East Africa and beyond. Your graduates are the scientists, doctors, engineers, and innovators who shape the future of this region and the world.<\/p>\n

Let me speak directly to the students here today.<\/p>\n

You are preparing for a world that will offer you opportunities beyond anything your parents could have imagined.<\/p>\n

\"\"The workforce of tomorrow needs strong foundations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. But you\u2019ll also need adaptability and lifelong learning. You\u2019ll need creativity and problem-solving abilities. And critically, you\u2019ll need ethical judgment\u2014scientists and engineers who ask not just \u201cCan we do this?\u201d but \u201cShould we do this?\u201d<\/p>\n

The good news? The demand for people with these skills is exploding. Artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, renewable energy, biotechnology\u2014these fields are hungry for talented professionals. Your MUST degree is your passport to these opportunities.<\/p>\n

One more thing about the digital future: as you work in AI, biotechnology, and data science, remember that how data moves across borders matters. The United States supports trusted cross-border data flows and frameworks like the Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules Forum that protect data while enabling the international research partnerships we have right here at MUST. Your ability to collaborate globally, to access and contribute to worldwide datasets securely\u2014that will be essential to your success as scientists and innovators.<\/p>\n

So, here\u2019s my challenge to you:<\/p>\n

\"\"Dream big. Don\u2019t limit yourself by what seems possible today. What will you create that we can\u2019t yet imagine?<\/p>\n

Embrace challenges and contribute to the global technological landscape. You\u2019re not just students in Mbarara\u2014you\u2019re future leaders in a connected world.<\/p>\n

And explore opportunities for collaboration with the United States. These relationships will enrich your education and expand your opportunities.<\/p>\n

As I look around this room, I see the future. Your generation has the potential to shape a brighter, more connected, more prosperous future for Uganda, for the United States, and for the world.<\/p>\n

The strong relationship between our countries is an investment in that future. We\u2019re committed to supporting your success because your success is our shared success.<\/p>\n

Thank you for welcoming me to your campus today. Thank you for your dedication to learning, to science, and to innovation. Thank you for being partners with the United States in building a better future.<\/p>\n

Keep studying. Keep questioning. Keep innovating. The world needs what you have to offer.<\/p>\n

Thank you very much.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Mbarara University of Science and Technology Vice Chancellor, distinguished faculty members, honored guests, and most importantly\u2014students of Mbarara…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":136348,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[58],"tags":[744,67373,1143,73790,16679,73791,31435,153],"class_list":["post-136347","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-uganda","tag-america-first","tag-america-first-global-health-strategy","tag-education","tag-must-mbarara","tag-remarks","tag-speeches","tag-u-s-uganda","tag-uganda"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@africa\/116238998856724252","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/136347","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=136347"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/136347\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/136348"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=136347"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=136347"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=136347"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}