The AICS office in Kampala has been inaugurated, marking the 20th office worldwide and the 10th in Africa. Covering Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, the office is led by Head of Mission Teresa Savanella.
Together with the recent opening of the Abidjan office in Côte d’Ivoire, this development is a result of the relaunch of Italian Cooperation in Africa, as established by the Mattei Plan. Uganda has now become a priority country under the new three-year programming document, one of 15 new African countries included in Italy’s Cooperation strategy. The inauguration was part of a system-wide mission led by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), along with CDP and representatives of cooperation partners, including NGOs, international organizations, and universities.
From the new offices in Kampala, AICS Director Marco Riccardo Rusconi visited Lacor Hospital, historically supported by Fondazione Corti ETS and a pioneering institution in northern Uganda’s healthcare sector since the 1950s. An essential reference point for the Acholi population, the hospital has remained operational even during the most challenging periods, from internal conflicts to the Ebola emergency. Lacor serves as a bridge between Italian medical excellence and the Ugandan healthcare system, fostering continuous knowledge transfer, innovation, and expertise.
The field visit also included two healthcare facilities, both supported by Medici con l’Africa CUAMM: Giovanni XXIII Hospital in Aber, Oyam District, where CUAMM has been active since 1965, and St. Kizito Hospital in Matany, Karamoja, supported by CUAMM since its opening in 1970. In northern Uganda, AICS and CUAMM are pooling resources and expertise to strengthen maternal, infant, and neonatal healthcare services. Their model integrates community-based medicine with emergency transport systems to reduce maternal mortality.
In Soroti, AICS launched the EU-delegated “Reforest” project with newly established field offices. The initiative focuses on forest conservation, biodiversity, wildlife corridors, and the development of sustainable supply chains. Aligned with Italian Cooperation priorities, the Agency’s environmental protection efforts aim to support Uganda’s compliance with EU deforestation regulations.
The mission continued with the launch of Phase II of the Karamoja Infrastructure Development Program, a key initiative to expand and enhance healthcare infrastructure across the nine districts of the Karamoja Region. The goal is to achieve long-term, sustainable improvements in the healthcare sector, addressing the region’s specific challenges while creating opportunities for future generations.
With the opening of its new office in Kampala, AICS strengthens its commitment to Uganda, a priority country for Italian Cooperation, by operating in key sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and environmental conservation.
