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.
Agriculture & Environment
Makerere Hosts Inaugural Falling Walls Lab Competition as Innovators Pitch Solutions to National Challenges
Students and researchers from Makerere University and other institutions pitched 12 innovations addressing challenges in healthcare, clean energy, agriculture, waste management and community resilience during the inaugural Falling Walls Lab Kampala, held at the School of Public Health Auditorium, Makerere University.
The competition brought together emerging innovators to present solutions to practical challenges through a three minute pitch, followed by questions from a panel of judges.
Modelled on the Falling Walls format that originated in Berlin, the event required each participant to identify a “wall” a problem or barrier, and demonstrate how their innovation seeks to break it down.
Mudhasi wins with newborn jaundice screening device
Andrew Mudhasi of Makerere University emerged as the overall winner with a score of 90 per cent for a low cost medical device designed to improve newborn jaundice screening across different skin tones.
Mudhasi explained that the device uses optical sensor technology and a skin tone targeting algorithm to provide a rapid reading, with the aim of helping nurses and clinicians identify jaundice more efficiently.
During questions from the jury, Mudhasi said the device had not yet been tested on actual babies but had undergone laboratory testing using simulated skin tones.
He reported an accuracy rate of 94 per cent when the device was compared with laboratory spectrophotometers.
The innovation is intended initially for use in clinics and hospitals, with Mudhasi saying the team is also considering a version that could eventually allow mothers to screen babies at home.
Mudhasi’s innovation has previously received recognition at the African Business Concept Challenge and the iF Design Student Award, according to his presentation.
Rhonda’s innovation tackles diaper waste
Rhoda John of the University of Nairobi emerged in second place with 89.6 per cent for an innovation addressing the problem of used diaper waste.
Under the theme “Breaking the wall of diaper waste and drug soils,” Rhonda explained that her team extracts sodium polyacrylate, the absorbent polymer found in diapers, and replaces the sodium with potassium.
The resulting potassium based superabsorbent material is designed to act as a “water battery” in soil by absorbing and retaining water for plants during dry periods.
John said testing showed a 99 per cent increase in germination and a 23 per cent increase in drought resistance.
The innovation also seeks to reduce the amount of used diapers ending up in landfills and the environmental effects associated with their decomposition.
During the question and answer session, John explained that her team was working with government environmental officials in Nairobi on a pilot collection system to address the challenge of gathering used diapers at scale.
Mahera takes third place with herbal peptic ulcer treatment
Stuart Mahera of Makerere University finished third with 86.2 per cent for a herbal formulation targeting peptic ulcers.
Presenting under the theme “Breaking the wall of Nature and Modern Medicine,” Mahera argued that conventional treatment for peptic ulcers can involve multiple medicines and may be associated with side effects and antimicrobial resistance.
His proposed formulation, MARAC capsules, is intended as a monotherapy, combining properties required for peptic-ulcer treatment in a single capsule.
Mahera said his team had carried out quality control work, including characterisation and dose quantification, and had conducted preclinical trials on laboratory mice.
He also told the jury that an application had been submitted to the National Drug Authority as the team awaits the next stage of the regulatory process.
According to Mahera, the proposed seven day treatment would cost about Shs21,000, compared with the existing 14 day treatment approach.
Innovators present solutions to practical challenges
The remaining presentations covered a wide range of challenges.
Esther Nakungu of Utamu University presented Agri-Track, a digital record keeping solution intended to improve visibility, accountability and management of farm operations and financial information.
Dr. Jimmy Chachiga, a Makerere University participant, presented a solar photovoltaic cooker with a heat storage system designed to provide a cleaner and more reliable cooking option during both sunny and non sunny periods.
His presentation focused on reducing dependence on biomass fuels and addressing the challenges associated with intermittent solar energy.
Abdul Noor Luttamaguzi, a PhD student and senior government fisheries officer, presented a mobile application aimed at helping fish farmers and extension officers report, track and manage disease outbreaks.
Henry Duke Tamale presented a herbal cream targeting antibiotic resistant biofilm infections associated with diabetic foot ulcers.
Marvin Seruwu proposed adapting existing near infrared brain monitoring technology to help detect extra-axial brain bleeds in health facilities where access to CT and MRI equipment is limited.
His proposal seeks to repurpose existing technology towards a diagnostic need that could be particularly important in settings where advanced imaging facilities are not readily available.
Kennedy Kisame presented a poultry alert and diagnosis system combining satellite weather information with computer vision disease detection. The proposed system could be accessed through a smartphone application, SMS or USSD, making it potentially usable by farmers with limited internet access.
Frank Atwiine proposed a solar powered mobile diagnostic van designed to bring ultrasound and other diagnostic services closer to rural communities.
Johnson Makmot, a software and blockchain developer, presented a platform that combines GPS tracking and blockchain-based tokens to incentivise and verify plastic-waste collection in Kampala.
Dr. Nelson Ndugu, from a partner university, presented an artificial intelligence tool designed to translate agricultural research publications into local Ugandan languages and generate voice notes for radio-based extension delivery.
The final presentation came from Dr. Juliet Akola, a Ugandan post doctoral researcher at Mangosuthu University of Technology in South Africa.
Akola presented a community digital resilience initiative focused on mapping risks in Kampala’s informal settlements, including flooding, fire, poor sanitation, waste management and inadequate infrastructure.
Her proposal seeks to combine local community knowledge with geographical information systems and link identified risks to action plans involving municipalities and other stakeholders.
Nawangwe calls for more investment in innovation
Closing the event, Prof. Nawangwe congratulated all the participants and described their presentations as an important beginning for Makerere University, Uganda and the wider region.
Drawing on his experience attending the Falling Walls conference in Berlin, the Vice Chancellor said initiatives of this nature are important because innovation will play a major role in determining the future of countries.
He encouraged participants to make their pitches more precise by clearly identifying the problem they are addressing, explaining their proposed solution and demonstrating what they have already achieved.
Prof. Nawangwe also welcomed the participation of innovators from other universities and countries, noting that the Kampala event had attracted participants beyond Makerere.
He thanked the Africa Office of the Falling Walls Foundation for its role in bringing the initiative to Makerere and encouraged continued support for innovation.
The Vice Chancellor further linked innovation to Uganda’s growing youth population and the need to develop home-grown solutions to address challenges such as youth unemployment.
The inaugural Falling Walls Lab Kampala ultimately provided a platform for innovators to move ideas beyond the classroom and laboratory and demonstrate how research, technology and creativity can be applied to challenges affecting communities.
| Position | Winner | Institution | Score |
| 1st | Andrew Mudhasi | Makerere University | 90% |
| 2nd | Rhoda John | University of Nairobi | 89.6% |
| 3rd | Stuart Mahera | Makerere University | 86.2% |
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