Kampala, Uganda | 24 June 2026
Healthy Heart Foundation (HHF) and Rotary Uganda today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening cardiovascular health awareness, disease prevention, early detection, wellness promotion, pediatric cardiac care, and health systems strengthening across Uganda.
The MOU was signed during a ceremony held at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Kampala, attended by Rotary leaders from Districts 9213 and 9214, members of Healthy Heart Foundation, healthcare professionals, development partners, and invited guests.
The partnership brings together Rotary Uganda’s extensive community reach and service network with Healthy Heart Foundation’s technical expertise in cardiovascular disease prevention, awareness, screening, treatment support, and community health education.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ms. Rita Namyalo Waggwa, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Healthy Heart Foundation, emphasized the urgent need for collective action against the growing burden of heart disease in Uganda.
“Cardiovascular disease continues to affect thousands of Ugandans, many of whom are unaware of their risk until it is too late. This partnership represents a shared commitment to save lives through prevention, early detection, treatment support, and community empowerment. Together, we can reach more communities, strengthen health systems, and ensure that more Ugandans have access to life-saving information and care.”
Over the years, Rotary Clubs across Uganda have made significant contributions to healthcare through initiatives such as Rotary Family Health Days, the Rotary Cancer Run, blood donation campaigns, maternal and child health programs, the Little Hearts Project, Rotary Smiles for Children, and support to the Uganda Heart Institute through the provision of medical equipment and other resources.
The new partnership will focus on several key areas, including:
- Community health outreach and screening programs
- Cardiovascular disease awareness and prevention
- Hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and stroke risk screening
- CPR and First Aid training
- Wellness promotion and healthy lifestyle education
- Cardiac Squad Programs in schools, universities, Interact Clubs, and Rotaract Clubs
- Support for vulnerable children requiring heart surgery and post-surgical care
- Research, innovation, and digital health initiatives
- Strategic advocacy and resource mobilization
A key highlight of the collaboration is the shared vision of supporting the development and operationalization of a Rotary Pediatric Cardiac Centre at St. Francis Hospital Nsambya. The proposed centre aims to strengthen Uganda’s capacity to diagnose, manage, and surgically treat congenital and pediatric heart disease locally, reducing dependence on overseas referrals and shortening waiting times for children requiring life-saving surgery.
The partnership comes at a time when non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases, are becoming a major public health concern in Uganda. Heart disease and stroke continue to claim lives, often without warning, underscoring the importance of awareness, routine screening, and early intervention.
During the ceremony, participants reflected on the loss of members of the Rotary family and other Ugandans who succumbed to heart disease, highlighting the need for every Ugandan to know their numbers—including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and other key indicators of heart health.
Since its establishment in 2020, Healthy Heart Foundation has reached thousands of people through community screening programs, heart health awareness campaigns, CPR and First Aid training, school health initiatives, and support for children requiring heart surgery.
The organization remains committed to its vision:
“A Uganda where no life is lost to preventable heart disease.”
As the partnership begins, both organizations expressed confidence that the collaboration will create lasting impact by improving access to preventive healthcare, strengthening community awareness, supporting vulnerable children, and advancing cardiovascular health outcomes across Uganda.
About Healthy Heart Foundation
Healthy Heart Foundation is a Ugandan non-profit organization dedicated to reducing cardiovascular disease and other non-communicable diseases through awareness, prevention, early detection, treatment support, wellness promotion, and community empowerment.
About Rotary Uganda
Rotary Uganda comprises Rotary Districts 9213 and 9214 and is part of Rotary International, a global network of people of action committed to creating lasting change in communities through service initiatives focused on health, education, economic empowerment, peacebuilding, and community development.
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