A total of 836 former students of Hoima School of Nursing and Midwifery celebrated their graduation Wednesday, receiving various qualifications, including diplomas and certificates in Nursing, Midwifery, and Comprehensive Nursing.
During the graduation ceremony, Ketty Lamaro, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Sports, urged the graduates to serve humanity with dignity and adhere to their professional ethics as nurses and midwives to enhance the country’s healthcare system.
She emphasized that as healthcare professionals, the graduates have the government’s support and are privileged to benefit from the salary enhancement for all workers in the health sector. Lamaro also encouraged the graduates to pursue further studies to expand their skills and serve the country more effectively.
Mark Kalanzi, the Principal of Hoima School of Nursing and Midwifery, appealed to the government to allocate more staff to the school. Currently, the school’s staffing level is at only 10%, while enrollment continues to increase each year. Since the school’s establishment in 2010, the government has provided only seven staff members.
Kalanzi urged the government to increase the conditional grant to better support government-sponsored students, as the current funding is insufficient. He also highlighted the need for additional accommodation, a library, and a larger computer lab to accommodate the growing student population. Kalanzi encouraged the graduates to be exemplary ambassadors of the medical profession and uphold a positive image of the healthcare field wherever they are deployed.
Christine Nimwesigwa, the Registrar of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council, emphasized the importance of getting registered and licensed with the council. This registration is vital for working effectively across the country, and unregistered practitioners will not be recognized. She urged the graduates to respect the people they serve.
Dr. Henry Wamani, the Chairperson of the governing council of Hoima School of Nursing and Midwifery, stressed that the graduates have entered a unique profession that demands high levels of integrity, discipline, and research. He noted that the country greatly values its services.
Dr. Safina Kisu Musene, the Commissioner of Business, Technical, Vocational Education, and Training in the Ministry of Education and Sports, assured that the government would soon allocate more staff to the school. She also cautioned the graduates against leading a reckless lifestyle as they carry out their duties. Two graduates, Irene Ntegeka and Martha Adongo, attributed their success to dedicated staff, hard work, and teamwork. Hoima School of Nursing and Midwifery was established in 2010.
