Uganda has achieved a historic milestone in medical science after surgeons at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) successfully performed the first-ever awake brain surgery in Uganda and the wider East African region.
The groundbreaking procedure, medically known as an awake craniotomy, was conducted at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) in collaboration with specialists from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus during the 3rd International Neurosurgery Conference held on February 26–27, 2026.
A Complex Surgery with the Patient Awake
The procedure involved a 47-year-old male patient diagnosed with a left parietal glioma, a tumor located in a sensitive part of the brain responsible for movement and sensation.
Unlike conventional brain surgeries where patients are fully unconscious, surgeons kept the patient awake and responsive throughout the operation. This allowed doctors to communicate with him in real time while carefully removing the tumor.
By engaging the patient during the surgery, the medical team was able to map the brain’s functional areas, ensuring that critical abilities such as speech and movement were not permanently damaged.
According to neurosurgeon David Kitya, the approach enables surgeons to remove as much of the tumor as possible while preserving the patient’s quality of life.
“The patient is now fully recovered, walking and speaking normally one week after surgery, which is a testament to the precision of this pioneering technique,” he said.
International Collaboration
The historic surgery was led by a multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons including:
Ryan Ormond, Associate Professor and Director of the Brain Tumor Program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
David Kitya, a leading East African neurosurgeon and President of the Neurosurgical Society of Uganda
Blessing Michael Taremwa, a Uganda-based neurosurgeon specializing in skull base and cerebrovascular surgery
The collaboration brought together international expertise and local medical innovation, demonstrating how partnerships can elevate specialized healthcare services in Africa.
A Turning Point for Neurosurgery in East Africa
Medical experts say the success of the procedure signals a major advancement in neurosurgical care in the region, where access to highly specialized brain surgery has traditionally been limited.
The achievement also highlights the growing role of MUST as a regional center for advanced medical training and research.
Health professionals believe the breakthrough will help expand access to complex neurosurgical procedures across East Africa, while also strengthening Uganda’s position on the global map of medical innovation.
As Professor Kitya noted, the operation proves that cutting-edge medical procedures can be successfully carried out in Africa when local expertise, global partnerships, and modern technology converge.
