Over 220 Graduate From Bwindi Hospital’s Nursing and Clinical Schools

On Saturday May, 10, 2022, Uganda Nursing School Bwindi (UNSB) and Uganda College of Health Sciences Bwindi (UCHSB), training institutions started by Bwindi Community Hospital, celebrated their 4th and 2nd graduation ceremonies, respectively.

This joint graduation ceremony took place at the institutions’ sports grounds in Buhoma, Kanungu, and saw over 220 students graduate with certificates and diplomas in Nursing, Midwifery, and Clinical Medicine and Community Health.

The graduation ceremony was graced by the presence of several international partners of the hospital, including the Kellermann Foundation, led by Executive Director Laura N. Corley, the Isle of Man government, Westport Rotary Club district 7980, Rotary Club of Rushen, and Western Man Charitable Trust, among others.

For this graduation ceremony, 211 students were awarded diplomas and certificates in Nursing and Midwifery. Of these, 65.9% were females and 34.1% were males. 27% of these received diplomas, while 73% received certificates. 24.2% were midwives and 75.8 % nurses.

15 students graduated with Diplomas in Clinical Medicine and Community Health.

The guest of honor at this event was the Member of Parliament for Kinkiizi West constituency, Hon. James Kaberuka who represented the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Annet Anita Among.

In his speech, Hon. Kaberuka recognized the great work that has been done by Bwindi Community Hospital in transforming the health of the Bwindi region.

“I want to express my gratitude to the diocese of Kinkiizi for the vision and the decision to establish this institution. It is not only an academic achievement, [but also] an act of compassion, foresight, and service to humanity. Establishing such an institution in this hard to reach, underserved area was not only bold but deeply meaningful in a region where infrastructure is still a challenge. UNSB has become a beacon of hope and a symbol of what is possible when people are not even aware of possibilities,” he emphasized.

Dr. Charlotte Aguti Ongom, the Executive Director of Bwindi Community Hospital, took the opportunity to share about some upcoming changes to the schools: “We are proud to announce that our training institutions are transitioning to form the African University of Science and Management. This exciting development will allow us to offer degree-level programs and to increase our impact in Uganda and beyond.” She invited all the graduates to consider returning to continue their studies and further their qualifications: “The doors of AUSM will always be open to you.”

Laura, N. Corley, the Executive Director of the Kellermann Foundation, appreciated UNSB for continuing to prepare nurses of the highest standard. She noted that because of the unwavering dedication of the leadership, faculty, and students at UNSB, the healing hands of nursing graduates will reach those whose suffering has been the greatest.

Dr. Scott Kellermann, the hospital founder, reminded the congregation that by working together as nurses, midwives, clinical officers, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the Ugandan government, Batwa and Bakiga, they would make a difference

On this day, the hospital commissioned the Dental and Vision building that is going to be significant in scaling up dental and eye services in the region.

By Elizabeth Namara