15 September, 2026

Busitema University has officially launched the China-Uganda Pharmacy Luban Workshop Training Programme, with the first cohort of 36 pharmacy students beginning training under the initiative.

The virtual launch, held on 15 September 2026, brought together the leadership of Busitema University and Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College in China, alongside academic staff and students. The programme is part of the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two institutions in 2023 to establish the China-Uganda Pharmacy Luban Workshop as a training base for pharmaceutical scientists in Uganda and the wider East African region. 

The programme gives Bachelor of Pharmacy students at Busitema University an opportunity to undertake additional training in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology alongside their university studies. Training will run for two years through a combination of online and physical sessions delivered by experts from China, covering six selected courses. Admission is competitive, with students selected through interviews conducted by Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College. 

Supported by the Chinese Government through Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College under the Belt and Road Initiative, the programme is expected to train at least 26 Bachelor of Pharmacy students each year over a five-year period. Students who successfully complete the required courses will receive an additional certificate in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology from Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College. 

The programme also creates an opportunity for further international exposure. At the end of each training cycle, the top five students will be granted fellowships to spend one year in China, where they will gain additional knowledge and practical experience in a pharmaceutical company. 

Speaking during the official launch, Busitema University Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul Waako thanked the leadership of Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College for sharing educational resources with the University. He said the collaboration strengthens the internationalisation of education and will equip pharmacy graduates with additional competencies and skills that can contribute to pharmaceutical human capital development in the region. 

Prof. Waako encouraged the students selected for the inaugural cohort to make full use of the opportunity and work hard to complete the programme requirements. He noted that the training gives them an opportunity to leave Busitema University with an additional qualification alongside their bachelor's degree. 

Mr. Liu Yongsheng, Secretary of the CPC Committee and President of Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, reflected on the cooperation between the two universities and expressed confidence that continued collaboration would strengthen pharmacy education and educational exchange between Uganda and China. He said the two institutions looked forward to improving the quality and effectiveness of their joint programmes and achieving greater outcomes from the partnership. 

Prof. Dan Kibuule, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Busitema University, welcomed the collaboration and pledged his support towards the success of the programme. He encouraged academic staff to support the students and adapt quickly to the digital teaching and learning platforms that will be used to coordinate the training. 

Busitema University's delegation at the launch also included Prof. Kamba Pakoyo, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Prof. Richard Odoi Adome, Head of the Department of Pharmacy and Dr. Samuel Baker Obakiro, Head of the Department of Pharmacology. Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College was represented by senior officials from its academic affairs, international cooperation and pharmacy units. 

The official launch moves the partnership into direct training for students, opening access to additional pharmaceutical knowledge, international expertise and practical exposure. For the first cohort of 36 students, it marks the beginning of an opportunity to build on their Bachelor of Pharmacy studies with skills and experiences drawn from cooperation between the two institutions.

For further information about the China-Uganda Pharmacy Luban Workshop Training Programme, contact Dr. Samuel Baker Obakiro, Programme Coordinator, at sobakiro@fhs.busitema.ac.ug or sobakiro@gmail.com