Health
Wear the white coat with humility
By Carol Kasujja and Zaam Ssali
Medical students at Makerere University have been urged to wear the white coat with humility as they begin their journey in the medical profession.
The call was made during the White Coat Ceremony held on Thursday at the Makerere University College of Health Sciences in Mulago.
The White Coat Ceremony marks the beginning of a new journey in healthcare and symbolises professionalism, compassion and excellence. It represents not only the mastery of medical knowledge but also a promise to always place patients at the centre of care. It is a commitment to listen, advocate, heal, and treat every individual with dignity and respect.
“We would have given you a suit, but the symbol of the white coat reminds you that you are here to work. White signifies purity in service. You are in medical school because you are among the best, and you have some of the best lecturers,” said Bruce Kirenga, the Principal of the College of Health Sciences.
Prof Kirenga lauded the students for their dedication to a path dedicated to preserving lives and urged the students to serve with dedication and protect the image of health workers.
“These days, you can use Artificial Intelligence to generate entire coursework, but when it comes to practice, remember the university has an AI policy and you must use it responsibly. In medicine, you take responsibility for your decisions. AI may make life easier, but you must learn and use your hands. Go where the patients are,” he noted.
Prof Kirenga also reminded the students that a medical career offers different paths, including research, teaching, clinical care, and administration.
“As first-year medical students, support each other. Find peers to share your struggles with, especially those in your year. Get mentors and coaches. It took me 26 years to become a Principal, so find mentors who can guide you,” he advised.
Speaking at the event, Sabrina Kitaka, a senior lecturer at the medical school, urged students to uphold the values expected of someone putting on the white coat by being humble and making sure that they connect with their patients.
“Wearing a white coat is a symbol of your commitment to a profession full of honour. This moment is like a rite of passage, from adolescence into adulthood. Joining this noble profession does not make you more important than other students. Be humble,” Dr Kitaka said.
She also encouraged the students to show kindness and compassion to their patients.
Addressing the students, Dr Idro Richard, the Deputy Principal at the College of Health Sciences, called upon the students to always make sure that they keep patients secrets.
“People will come to you and share secrets they have never shared even with their closest family members, do not share people’s pains. If one of you makes a mistake the public will blame all the fraternity so handle your patients with dignity. Always place yourself in the life of those patients when you are in the ward,” Dr Idro, said.
Dr Idro reminded the students to always think of their safety while on the ward by avoiding open shoes.
“Be smart for your own safety, always wear closed shoes, a needle can fall and hurt your legs when you are wearing open shoes. Maintain the excellence you had when you joined and avoid doing life alone,” Dr Idro said.
He further advised the students to always create time and have fun because it is not all about medicine
“Have an open mind, have some fun and also learn other things like soft skills, write, sell and travel. You are in the best School with the best teachers do not allow mediocrity. Avoid cheating, laziness, drugs and betting,” Dr Idro, noted.
In her speech, Anne Atukunda Ronaldine, the chairperson of the Makerere University Medical Students Association (MUMSA), told the first years that they are privileged to join the College as it celebrates a century of excellence.
“Be your brother’s keeper. You will make it together if you work together as a class. Do not avoid your lectures. Medical school is a lot of work, but it gives back,” Atukunda said.
During the ceremony, the College of Health Sciences safeguarding and inclusion champions encouraged students to speak up and report any form of harassment, abuse, or unsafe situations, noting that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
The champions reminded students that creating a safe learning environment requires respect for one another, responsible behavior, and the courage to raise concerns when something is not right. They also urged the new students to support their peers and make use of the available safeguarding channels whenever they feel unsafe or witness misconduct.
The Champions also called upon their peers to support students with disabilities so that no one is left behind. It was a proud moment for many first-year students to finally see themselves wearing white coats, as it was a dream come true for many. The event concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony and a dinner.
The Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) on July 10, 2026, welcomed senior six science students from Ngora High School and Wiggins Secondary School to an inspiring Career Fair aimed at guiding them on careers in health sciences and introducing them to the wide range of academic programmes offered by the College.
The event brought together students pursuing Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB) and Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics (BCM), providing them with a unique opportunity to interact with the College leadership, tour laboratories and teaching facilities, and learn first-hand about careers in medicine and other health science disciplines.
Welcoming the students, the College Principal, Prof. Bruce Kirenga, described the College of Health Sciences as one of Africa’s oldest and most distinguished medical schools, with a legacy spanning more than a century.
“We started in 1924, making us one of the oldest medical schools on the continent. You have made the right decision to visit Makerere, and we are delighted to welcome you,” he said.
Prof. Kirenga commended the school administrators and teachers for organizing the visit, noting that exposing learners to university environments early helps them make informed career choices. He explained that the College introduced the Open Day concept after receiving numerous requests from schools seeking career guidance visits.
He congratulated the students for choosing science subjects, describing science as the foundation for solving society’s most pressing challenges.
“You have already made one of the most important decisions by choosing to become scientists. Even more importantly, you have chosen life sciences—a field dedicated to preserving and improving life,” he remarked.
The Principal emphasized that careers in life sciences extend far beyond medicine, encouraging students to remain open-minded as they consider their future.
“Everything that has life requires professionals to keep it healthy—from human beings and animals to crops and the environment. The opportunities are immense, including agriculture, veterinary medicine, biomedical sciences, public health and many other emerging fields.”
He also advised students not to limit themselves to only one academic programme during university applications, recalling instances where highly qualified students narrowly missed admission because they selected only one course.
“Remain open to the opportunities available. Medicine is an excellent profession, but there are many other programmes that are equally rewarding and are shaping the future of healthcare and scientific innovation,” he said.
Prof. Kirenga further encouraged the students to embrace lifelong learning, reminding them that scientific knowledge remains valuable regardless of the career path they eventually pursue.
Addressing the students, the Dean of the School of Medicine, Prof. Annette Nakimuli, acknowledged the growing competition for admission into medical programmes and urged learners to work hard while keeping an open mind about the diverse opportunities available within health sciences.
She explained that admission into the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) programme has become increasingly competitive due to the rising number of high-performing applicants.
“This year we witnessed unprecedented competition for government sponsorship, with many applicants scoring triple A at Advanced Level and outstanding grades at Ordinary Level. That tells you that you must prepare yourselves to excel academically,” she said.
Prof. Nakimuli noted that while many students aspire to become medical doctors, the health sector today offers numerous innovative programmes that are equally important.
“There are many programmes that parents, teachers and students are still not familiar with. Biomedical Engineering, for example, is one of the exciting fields driving the future of healthcare, yet many students overlook it because they focus only on medicine.”
She encouraged students to explore emerging disciplines that combine medicine, engineering, technology and research, noting that the future of healthcare increasingly depends on multidisciplinary professionals.
The Dean also introduced students to the structure of the School of Medicine, explaining that it comprises twelve academic departments and two specialised units covering a broad spectrum of clinical disciplines, including Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Family Medicine, Anaesthesia and Critical Care, among others.
She explained that students are trained by specialists across these disciplines to become competent general practitioners before pursuing further specialization.
Prof. Erisa Mwaka, the Chair of the Department of Human Anatomy, shared with the students about the School of Biomedical Sciences (SBS). He said the school is one of the four schools that make up the Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS). As the foundation of medical education, the School provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the biological and molecular sciences that underpin modern healthcare, disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
The School comprises several departments, including:
- Human Anatomy
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Pathology
- Microbiology
- Medical Illustration
The School offers undergraduate programmes such as the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences, which equips students with strong laboratory, research and analytical skills, and the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering, an interdisciplinary programme that integrates engineering, medicine and technology to develop innovative healthcare solutions.
At postgraduate level, the School offers a wide range of master’s and doctoral programmes, including Human Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, Bioinformatics, Immunology and Clinical Microbiology, Health Bioethics, Medical Illustration, Pathology and other biomedical specializations that prepare graduates for careers in research, academia, diagnostics, biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry. The school also offers a wide range of diploma courses.
Throughout the Career Fair, students interacted with faculty members, toured laboratories and learning facilities, and received guidance on university admission, academic programmes and career prospects within the health sciences.
The Career Fair forms part of the College’s broader outreach programme aimed at nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals by exposing learners to university life and equipping them with the information needed to make informed academic and career decisions.
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