BUGWERI DISTRICT — The Acting Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Dr. JC Muyingo, has commended nursing and midwifery training institutions for their contribution to strengthening Uganda’s healthcare workforce, noting that the training of competent health professionals remains essential to improving healthcare delivery and the well-being of communities across the country.
Dr. Muyingo made the remarks during the fourth graduation ceremony of Leura School of Nursing and Midwifery in Bugweri District, where hundreds of students received diplomas and certificates in nursing and midwifery-related programmes.
The ceremony marked a significant milestone for the graduates, their families and the institution, which continues to contribute to the development of skilled health workers equipped with the knowledge and practical competencies required to serve in Uganda’s healthcare sector.
Addressing the graduates, Dr. Muyingo congratulated them on successfully completing their studies and urged them to translate their academic achievements into meaningful service to humanity.
He emphasised that graduating from a health training institution comes with a responsibility to protect lives, uphold professional ethics and provide quality care to patients regardless of their backgrounds.
The Minister encouraged the graduates to put the knowledge and practical skills acquired during their training into practice, reminding them that nursing and midwifery are essential professions in the healthcare system.
He noted that health workers play a critical role in caring for mothers, newborns, children and other patients, both in health facilities and within communities. Their competence, commitment and professionalism are therefore important to improving health outcomes and strengthening public confidence in healthcare services.
Dr. Muyingo further urged the graduates to observe the professional standards governing their respective disciplines, respect patients’ rights, maintain confidentiality and demonstrate compassion in their daily work.
He stressed that patients entrust health workers with their lives and personal information, making integrity, discipline and responsible conduct indispensable qualities for everyone entering the profession.
The Minister also recognised the sacrifices made by parents and guardians to educate their children, commending them for investing in the future of their families and the country.
He observed that educating a health professional benefits not only the individual graduate but also the wider community, which stands to gain from improved access to skilled healthcare services.
Dr. Muyingo encouraged parents to continue supporting education and professional development, noting that their contribution complements the Government’s efforts to build a skilled workforce capable of supporting Uganda’s development.
He also appreciated the Government under the leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for its continued focus on education and the development of health training institutions.
According to the Minister, institutions such as Leura School of Nursing and Midwifery provide opportunities for students to acquire specialised knowledge and practical skills needed to strengthen healthcare delivery.
He noted that the continued training of nurses and midwives contributes to building the human resource capacity required to respond to the country’s healthcare needs, particularly through the provision of competent professionals who can serve in different health facilities and communities.
The fourth graduation ceremony therefore reflected the importance of continued investment in health education as part of broader efforts to improve the quality of healthcare services in Uganda.
The event was presided over by the Bishop of Central Busoga Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Patrick Wakula, who led the opening prayers and delivered a sermon centred on service, responsibility and the importance of using professional knowledge to help others.
In his message, Bishop Wakula commended parents and guardians for the sacrifices they had made to ensure their children received an education.
He urged the graduates to use their newly acquired skills to treat patients and care for those in need, reminding them that their professional calling should be guided by compassion, humility and a commitment to saving lives.
The Bishop encouraged the graduates to recognise the human responsibility that accompanies their qualifications and to remain dedicated to serving communities with professionalism and care.
Following the opening prayers, Dr. Muyingo, who was the chief guest, participated in the planting of a commemorative tree before officially opening a building named the Dr. C.J. Lukabyo Block.
The opening of the building marked an important development in the institution’s infrastructure and its efforts to strengthen the environment in which students receive professional training.
The development also formed part of the institution’s broader aspirations to expand its operations and improve its capacity to train health professionals.
Speaking during the ceremony, Leura School of Nursing and Midwifery Director Sulaiman Lule revealed that the institution’s long-term ambition is to develop into a university.
He, however, highlighted challenges associated with students who combine employment with their studies, explaining that work commitments sometimes interfere with their academic preparation and examination performance.
Lule’s remarks highlighted the importance of balancing employment and academic responsibilities to ensure that students have sufficient time to study, develop practical competencies and prepare adequately for examinations.
The institution’s ambition to grow into a university also points to its aspirations for further development, although its future growth will depend on meeting the applicable regulatory, academic and institutional requirements.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Tina Nakimera, who represented the Commissioner responsible for health training, Hajjat Dr. Safinah Kisu Mussene, urged the graduates to honour their professional oaths and put the ethical principles acquired during training into practice.
Nakimera emphasised the importance of following the laws, regulations and professional standards governing health practice.
She reminded the graduates to protect patients’ confidentiality, maintain professional discipline and ensure that the care they provide meets the required standards.
She stressed that professional qualifications must be accompanied by responsible conduct, explaining that the trust patients place in health workers depends on their ability to demonstrate competence, discretion and respect.
Her message reinforced the importance of preparing graduates not only to perform their professional duties but also to uphold the ethical obligations that come with working in the healthcare sector.
Bugweri District Woman Representative Hajjat Wandera Sadala also commended Parliament for appropriating and approving resources to support the development of education and healthcare services.
She highlighted the importance of continued investment in the two sectors, noting their contribution to human development and the country’s social and economic progress.
The ceremony attracted parents and guardians, continuing students, institutional administrators, local leaders and other invited guests who joined the graduates in celebrating the achievement.
The event also provided an opportunity to recognise academic excellence, with outstanding students receiving gifts and awards in appreciation of their performance.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the graduates’ taking of their professional oaths, marking their transition from students to qualified health professionals expected to apply their training in practical healthcare settings.
The oaths served as a reminder of the responsibilities they are assuming as they prepare to enter professional practice, particularly the obligation to respect patients, protect confidential information and adhere to the standards of their respective professions.
For the graduates, the fourth graduation ceremony represented the culmination of years of learning, sacrifice and determination. It also marked the beginning of a new chapter in which they are expected to use their knowledge and skills to contribute to the health and well-being of the communities they serve.
For Leura School of Nursing and Midwifery, the ceremony demonstrated its continuing role in training nurses and midwives while pursuing its ambition to expand its institutional capacity.
As Uganda continues to strengthen its healthcare system, the training of competent, ethical and compassionate health professionals remains an important part of improving service delivery.
