Photos: Uganda Christian University Launches Medical School

This photo shows Journalists trying to capture the historical moment the Official Launch of UCU Medical School).

Journalists trying to capture the historical moment the Official Launch of UCU Medical School.

Uganda Christian University launched the UCU School of Medicine (UCUSoM) on Friday September 14^th, 2018 at the Archbishop’s Gardens in Namirembe.

The launch followed the accreditation of her medical programs by the National Council for Higher Education at the beginning of 2018 and the admission of her pioneer Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBchB) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students in August 2018.

The new school is run in conjunction with Mengo Hospital which doubles as the university teaching hospital.

The function was presided over by Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda.

A total of 62 students make up the pioneer Uganda Christian University School of Medicine (UCUSoM) classes. They are 35 female and 27 male students.

They joined the university on August 20, 2018 and started classes a week later on August 28, 2018 following successful orientation sessions.

According to information from the office of the academic registrar, majority of the students (53) are doing Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) while nine students are doing Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS). Some 56 students are admitted on direct entry category while six had diplomas in Nursing or Allied Health professions at distinction levels.

They joined UCU, following the accreditation of UCU to teach MBChB and BDS in February 2018, bringing to an end UCU’s quest to start teaching medical programs.

The Guest of Honor Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda assisted by the Chancellor UCU laying the foundation stone at the UCUSoM Complex.

Most of the students (55) are Ugandans. The rest of the students are from Eritrea (1), Tanzania (1), Kenya (1), South Sudan (2) and Nigeria (2), signifying the rich diversity and aspiration of UCU to be the ‘Centre of Excellence in the Heart of Africa’.

The 62 students were chosen from over 700 applicants who aspired to be enrolled on the new courses.

In attendance was the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and Chancellor Uganda Christian University, The Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali, UCU Vice Chancellor Rev. Canon Dr. John Senyonyi among other dignitaries.

Below are photos of what happened at the launch

The Prime Minister planting a Tree at the UCUSoM Complex.

UCUSoM Dignitaries arrive at the UCUSoM Official Launch Venue (Archbishop’s Gardens).

The Prime Minister and the Minister of Health (centre) pose for a with UCU’s VC (round collar), Chancellor and Other Dignitaries and students at the UCUSoM Complex.

The Prime Minister (left) after handing over a beautiful auctioned artistic portrait to the University’s VC. The portrait was presented by the Department of Industrial & Fine Art.

UCUSoM Pioneer students having a glimpse at the pictorial board during the launch.

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Philimon Badagawa

Philimon Badagawa is a multimedia journalist with skills in news gathering, packaging, editing and online publishing. He has knowledge in data visualization, can design and manage websites. He previously worked as a journalist with Observer media and authored several articles and stories. He does research, video & audio recording, editing and production for online publication. He Participated in The New Dawn photography campaign aimed at rebranding Northern Uganda-USAID/NUTI Project (2010). Philimon is in love with photography, writing, reading, sharing new ideas and interacting with reasonable people for skills development. He was recognized for excelling in Journalism during the Uganda Journalism Awards by ACME in 2015. (philebadagawa@gmail.com, +256 774 607 886)