By Sseruyigo Aaron
Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda has officially launched the Uganda Christian University – School of Medicine at Mengo Hospital in Kampala.
He used the opportunity to also commend the Church-owned education institution for bringing up students with “professionalism and integrity.”
This event follows the accreditation of UCU by the National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) to teach medical programs including; Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBchB) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) in February 2018.
As earlier reported by this website, a total of 62 students make up the pioneer UCU School of Medicine (UCUSoM) classes.
Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda in his remarks thanked the Church for being on the spot light of Education in the country.
He, according to a statement issued by Namirembe Diocese also thanked Mengo Hospital for delivering quality health services for over 120 years and for partnering with Uganda Christian University to start up a school of medicine.
Dr. Rugunda said President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni welcomed the idea of starting a medical school and “is willing to support the cause.”
The 62 students currently admitted include 35 females and 27 males. In attendance was the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda The Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali, Chancellor of Uganda Christian University (UCU) Rev. Canon Dr. John Senyonyi and the Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng.
In 2016, Archbishop Ntagali said that the Church’s getting back Mengo Hospital boosted the idea of the school, with the province giving the facilities that will ensure the school’s taking off.
“We as the church also have many hospitals, clinics and dispensary and thus the medical students will have enough room to do their interns as we extend our services to the people of having a holistic renewal which is both physical and spiritual,” said Ntagali then.
The medical school plan was according to local media reports mooted about 5 years ago by the Church that wanted to train more medical staff to help work in the different church facilities.
IMAGE CREDIT: Namirembe Diocese.
