OUTGOING JAPAN AMBASSADOR BIDS FAREWELL TO ACHEST
The outgoing Ambassador of Japan Kazauki Kameda paid a courtesy visit to the African
ACHEST ED Prof F. Omaswa shows his Hideyo Noguchi Africa award to the Japanese Ambassador his Excellency Kazuaki Kameda Center for Global Health and Social Transformation (ACHEST), to bid farewell as he ends his four-year tenure in Uganda.
In a brief address to the ACHEST staff members on October 15, 2020, the Ambassador said one of the highlights during his stay in Uganda was meeting the ACHEST Executive Director Prof. Francis Omaswa, who is the 2019 Laureate for the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize by The Government of Japan.
The Prize aims to honor individuals or organizations with outstanding achievements in the fields of medical research and medical services to combat infectious and other diseases in Africa, thus contributing to the health and welfare of the African people and of all humankind.
Ambassador Kameda also stressed that the Japan Government was committed to improving healthcare in Uganda and efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage. Through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan has supported infrastructure development and health service improvement at all the 14 regional referral hospitals in Uganda.
On his part, Prof. Omaswa thanked the Government of Japan for the support and collaboration over the years, including giving ACHEST the opportunity to undertake research on maternal mortality in Fort Portal, Mbarara, and Hoima hospitals. The research conducted in November 2019 shows the magnitude of the problem and where support is needed for quality health services. 
ACHEST staff pose for a photo with Japanese Ambassador his Exellency Kazuaki KamedaOn a personal note, Prof Omaswa fondly reminisced that the ambassador had been particularly helpful in his preparations and travel arrangements to receive the Hideyo Noguchi Award in Tokyo, in August 2019.
“As an NGO, we have had a close relationship with Japan and Ambassador Kameda and we are grateful that he has been here to facilitate the relationship. That is why we say THANK YOU,” remarked Prof. Omaswa
Compiled by Carol Natukunda, Communications Specialist, ACHEST