Germany celebrates role in building Aga Khan University as Uganda campus opens

September 11, 2025 in Business, Companies, Infrastructure by Editor

Germany has celebrated its role in the expansion of higher education in East Africa with the inauguration of two new buildings at the Aga Khan University (AKU) campus in Kampala. The ceremony was presided over by President Yoweri Museveni and Prince Rahim Aga Khan V.

The new facilities will house the Graduate School of Media and Communications (GSMC), designed to train ethical and professional journalists, and the School of Nursing and Midwifery (SONAM), a regional hub for strengthening healthcare systems through advanced training of nurses and midwives.

The development is backed by a €16.8 million grant from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), implemented through KfW Development Bank. German officials described the project as a significant contribution to enhancing education and employment opportunities across the East African Community (EAC).

Officials said the investment comes at a critical time for the region, where demand for skilled health workers is rising and journalism continues to face pressure from technological disruption.

The new campus facilities also address a long-standing gap in student housing, enabling more learners from EAC partner states to access AKU’s high-quality education. University officials added that the campus will foster cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange, supporting the region’s integration and socio-economic growth.

For Germany, the initiative underlines a broader commitment to sustainable development in East Africa, with education positioned as a cornerstone of long-term prosperity.

Germany has worked closely with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) on education, health, and infrastructure projects for decades. The Kampala expansion is expected to deepen that cooperation while providing tangible benefits for students, communities, and economies across the region.