Discussions highlight diaspora leadership, international partnerships and sustained investment in global health ahead of the March gathering.
Ugandan diaspora health advocate Moses Mulimira has held discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Health Attaché in London and philanthropist Bill Gates as he steps up engagement ahead of the UK Global Health Summit 2027.
According to Mulimira, the separate engagements focused on international health cooperation, the contribution of diaspora professionals and opportunities to strengthen partnerships.
The summit is scheduled for March 15–19, 2027, with activities across Cardiff, London and Edinburgh under the theme, “Unlocking the Health Dividend”. Its programme includes an opening plenary followed by four days of satellite events.
Exploring Saudi cooperation
Mulimira said his meeting with the Saudi Health Attaché provided an opportunity to discuss his global health work and prospects for collaboration around the summit.
“Looking forward to collaborating with the Saudi Arabia Government on the exciting UK Global Health Summit 2027 in London,” he said in his account of the engagement.
In a separate meeting with Gates, Mulimira discussed his diaspora health work and the importance of sustained investment in healthcare.
He also thanked Gates for the Gates Foundation’s $912 million pledge to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for the 2026–2028 funding cycle. The foundation announced the commitment in September 2025.
“We agreed to continue the dialogue on global health, especially at the next UK Global Health Summit 2027 in London,” Mulimira said.
Advancing diaspora participation
Mulimira serves as Diaspora Engagement Advisor at Global Health Partnerships, formerly the Tropical Health and Education Trust. He leads its Experts in Our Midst and Voices diaspora programmes, alongside wider diaspora engagement activities.
The programmes promote recognition of the knowledge and experience that diaspora healthcare professionals contribute to health services and international partnerships.
For Uganda, Mulimira’s work provides a link between healthcare professionals abroad and institutions at home. His background includes co-founding the Uganda Diaspora Health Foundation and involvement in the health partnership connecting East London NHS services with Butabika Hospital.
His latest engagements bring that diaspora perspective into discussions involving diplomatic representatives and international philanthropy.
Building on earlier summits
The 2027 gathering follows earlier events bringing together policymakers, healthcare workers, researchers and diaspora organisations.
According to the organisers, the 2025 UK–Africa Health Summit attracted more than 750 participants over three days. Its outcomes included a policy paper on equitable partnerships and commitments to longer-term cooperation on the health workforce.
The UK Global Health Summit in March 2026 continued that engagement at the Royal College of Physicians in London under the theme, “Shaping Tomorrow’s Health, Together”.
Promotional material for the 2027 event lists the Royal College of Nursing, King’s Global Health Partnerships, the Royal College of Physicians, Public Health Wales and the University of Edinburgh as lead organising partners.
Students for Global Health is also listed as a partner, with additional organisations expected to be announced. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
