Medical school in Uganda
Encyclopedia
there are five recognized medical school
s in Uganda
. Two more are expected to open in the next three years.
or Zoology
, Chemistry
and Physics
at A-level standards are requirements for entry into Ugandan medical schools.
The last major examination is the final 5th Year MBChB examination. This is divided into three parts:
The final year clinical examinations in each of the four clinical disciplines are attended by an "External Examiner", often a professor of International or Regional repute, from a foreign medical school. The examiners arrange it so that the excelling students and those who are on the verge of failing are seen by the External Examiner in at least one of the clinical face-to-face encounters. So if you are a candidate and you go before the "External Examiner", it usually means that you are either excelling in your field or you are on the verge of failing that subject.
(MMed) in the particular discipline is available at Makerere University School of Medicine
in the following disciplines: (both medical and surgical disciplines award the MMed)
Makerere University School of Public Health
, located on Mulago Hill
, offers the degree of Master of Public Health
(MPH) following a twenty two (22) month period of study which includes field work.
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy
(PhD
) is awarded following a period of instruction, research and examination (typically three to five years), in select clinical disciplines. A recognized masters degree is required prior to admission into the PhD program.
Medical school
A medical school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine. Degree programs offered at medical schools often include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor/Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, master's degree, or other post-secondary...
s in Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
. Two more are expected to open in the next three years.
Medical schools
The list below is of the five (5) operational medical schools, , and of two others expected to open within the next three (3) years.- Makerere University School of MedicineMakerere University School of MedicineMakerere University School of Medicine , also known as Makerere University Medical School is the school of medicine of Makerere University, Uganda's oldest university. The medical school is the oldest medical school in Eastern Africa, having been part of the Makerere University, since 1924...
- MulagoMulagoMulago is a hill in north-central Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. The hill rises above sea level.-History:Mulago was derived from the Ganda word “omulago”, a type of medicine, kept on this hill, that was used by Kabaka Suuna II for protection against spirits. The landmark on this hill is...
, KampalaKampalaKampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
- Founded in 1924 - Mbarara University School of Medicine - MbararaMbararaMbarara is a town in Western Uganda. It is the main municipal, administrative and commercial center of Mbarara District and the location of the district headquarters. It is also the largest urban centre in Western Uganda.-Location:...
- Founded in 1989 - Gulu University School of MedicineGulu UniversityGulu University , is a university in Uganda. It's one of the five public universities to be established by the Government of Uganda, along with Makerere University, Mbarara University, Kyambogo University and Busitema University...
- GuluGuluGulu is a city in Northern Uganda. It is the commercial and administrative centre of Gulu District. The city is located at 2˚46'48N 32˚18'00E, on the metre gauge railway from Tororo to Pakwach. Gulu is located approximately , by road, north of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city...
- Founded in 2004 - Kampala International University School of Health SciencesKampala International University School of Health SciencesKampala International University School of Health Sciences , is the school of health sciences of Kampala International University, a private Ugandan university. The school provides health sciences education at the diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.-Location:The school's campus is...
- IshakaIshakaIshaka is a town in south-western Uganda. It is one of the municipalities in Bushenyi District.-Location:Ishaka is located in Igara County, Bushenyi District, in Western Uganda. It is located approximately , by road, west of Mbarara, the largest city in the sub-region...
- Founded in 2004 - Uganda Martyrs University School of MedicineUganda Martyrs University School of MedicineUganda Martyrs University School of Medicine , also known as Uganda Martyrs University Medical School , is the school of medicine of Uganda Martyrs University. , the medical school is the newest medical school in Uganda, having been established in 2010...
, NsambyaNsambya-Location:Nsambya is located approximately south-southeast of the central business district of Kampala, along the road to Ggaba, a suburb of the city. The coordinates of Nsambya Hill are: 00 17 57N, 32 35 17E.-Landmarks:The landmarks on Nsambya Hill include:...
, KampalaKampalaKampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
- Founded in 2010 - International Health Sciences University School of MedicineInternational Health Sciences UniversityInternational Health Sciences University is a private non-residential university in Uganda.-Location:IHSU has its main campus at 4686 St. Barnabas Road, Namuwongo, a southeastern section of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. IHSU's campus is located on the top floor of the building that...
- KampalaKampalaKampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
(Planned for 2014) - Muteesa I Royal University School of MedicineMuteesa I Royal University-Location:The university has two campuses. The main campus is located in the city of Masaka, approximately , by road, southwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. The second campus is located on Mengo Hill, the seat of the Buganda Government, within the city of Kampala. The coordinates...
- MasakaMasakaMasaka is a town in Central Uganda, lying west of Lake Victoria. It is the chief town of Masaka District. Besides being the headquarters of Masaka District, the town is the regional headquarters and largest metropolitan area in Lyantonde District, Sembabule District, Lwengo District, Bukomansimbi...
(Planned for 2015)
Admission
Admission to medical school in Uganda requires the candidate to have attained the pre-requisite minimum score on the A-level national examinations leading to the award of the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education or UACE, administered by the Uganda National Examination Board. Proficiency in BiologyBiology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
or Zoology
Zoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
, Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
and Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
at A-level standards are requirements for entry into Ugandan medical schools.
Medical training
Training leading to the award of the degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) lasts five (5) years, if there are no re-takes.- The first year is spent on the Basic Sciences i.e. AnatomyAnatomyAnatomy is a branch of biology and medicine that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy , and plant anatomy...
, PhysiologyPhysiologyPhysiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
and BiochemistryBiochemistryBiochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
. - The second year is devoted to HistologyHistologyHistology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...
, PathologyPathologyPathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
, MicrobiologyMicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
, PharmacologyPharmacologyPharmacology is the branch of medicine and biology concerned with the study of drug action. More specifically, it is the study of the interactions that occur between a living organism and chemicals that affect normal or abnormal biochemical function...
, PsychologyPsychologyPsychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
and Introductory PsychiatryPsychiatryPsychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders. These mental disorders include various affective, behavioural, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities...
. - The third year is spent rotating through the four major clinical disciplines of Internal MedicineInternal medicineInternal medicine is the medical specialty dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases. Physicians specializing in internal medicine are called internists. They are especially skilled in the management of patients who have undifferentiated or multi-system disease processes...
, SurgerySurgerySurgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
, PediatricsPediatricsPediatrics or paediatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. A medical practitioner who specializes in this area is known as a pediatrician or paediatrician...
and Obstetrics and Gynecology. - The fourth year is devoted to Public HealthPublic healthPublic health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
(including community health projects) and the surgical specialties of OtolaryngologyOtolaryngologyOtolaryngology or ENT is the branch of medicine and surgery that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat, and head and neck disorders....
, OrthopedicsOrthopedicsOrthopedics is the study of the musculoskeletal system. The Greek word 'ortho' means straight or correct and 'pedics' comes from the Greek 'pais' meaning children. For many centuries, orthopedists have been involved in the treatment of crippled children...
, UrologyUrologyUrology is the medical and surgical specialty that focuses on the urinary tracts of males and females, and on the reproductive system of males. Medical professionals specializing in the field of urology are called urologists and are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with urological...
, NeurosurgeryNeurosurgeryNeurosurgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders which affect any portion of the nervous system including the brain, spine, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular system.-In the United States:In...
and OphthalmologyOphthalmologyOphthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...
. Clinical PsychiatryPsychiatryPsychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders. These mental disorders include various affective, behavioural, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities...
, Infectious Diseases and Tropical MedicineTropical medicineTropical medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with health problems that occur uniquely, are more widespread, or prove more difficult to control in tropical and subtropical regions....
are also covered. - The fifth year is spent rotating through the four major clinical disciplines, similar to the third year.
Examinations
There is a major examination after the first year. If the candidate does not pass, the candidate will repeat first year. Another major examination is given after second year. A failing candidate will have to repeat second year. After each clinical rotation, the candidate is examined and failing candidates are required to repeat that rotation during the next vacation period.The last major examination is the final 5th Year MBChB examination. This is divided into three parts:
- A written Examination in each of the following disciplines: Internal MedicineInternal medicineInternal medicine is the medical specialty dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases. Physicians specializing in internal medicine are called internists. They are especially skilled in the management of patients who have undifferentiated or multi-system disease processes...
, SurgerySurgerySurgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
, PediatricsPediatricsPediatrics or paediatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. A medical practitioner who specializes in this area is known as a pediatrician or paediatrician...
and Obstetrics and Gynecology - A bedside clinical examination with living patients, involving a "long case" and a series of "short cases" in each of the four specialties.
- An oral examination (also called a "viva"), before two clinical examiners, in each of the four subjects.
The final year clinical examinations in each of the four clinical disciplines are attended by an "External Examiner", often a professor of International or Regional repute, from a foreign medical school. The examiners arrange it so that the excelling students and those who are on the verge of failing are seen by the External Examiner in at least one of the clinical face-to-face encounters. So if you are a candidate and you go before the "External Examiner", it usually means that you are either excelling in your field or you are on the verge of failing that subject.
Internship
After successfully passing the final 5th year examinations, one is awarded the degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). A year of internship in a hospital designated for that purpose, under the supervision of a specialist in that discipline is required before an unrestricted license to practice medicine and surgery is granted by the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council. Six months of the internship must be spent in a medical discipline (either Internal Medicine or Pediatrics) and another six months in a surgical discipline (either Surgery or Obstetrics and Gynecology).Internship hospitals
The following hospitals are designated "Internship Hospitals" in Uganda, provided there is a specialist in the required field willing to supervise the intern at the particular hospital:- Mulago National Referral HospitalMulago HospitalMulago National Referral Hospital, commonly known as Mulago Hospital, is the largest hospital in Uganda. The hospital is located on Mulago Hill in the northern part of the city of Kampala. It is the teaching hospital for Makerere University College of Health Sciences, the oldest medical College in...
- Arua Regional Referral Hospital
- Fort Portal Regional Referral HospitalFort Portal HospitalFort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, commonly known as Fort Portal Hospital is a hospital in the town of Fort Portal, in Kabarole District, in western Uganda...
- Gulu Regional Referral HospitalGulu HospitalGulu Regional Referral Hospital, commonly known as Gulu Hospital is a hospital in Gulu, northern Uganda. It is the referral hospital for the districts of Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo and Pader...
- Hoima Regional Referral HospitalHoima HospitalHoima Regional Referral Hospital, commonly known as Hoima Hospital is a hospital in the town of Hoima, in Hoima District, western Uganda. It is the referral hospital for the districts of Bulisa, Hoima, Kibaale, and Masindi.-Location:...
- Jinja Regional Referral HospitalJinja HospitalJinja Regional Referral Hospital, commonly known as Jinja Hospital, is a hospital in the city of Jinja, eastern Uganda. It is the largest hospital in eastern Uganda, with a bed capacity of 600, although many more patients are admitted, with many sleeping on the floor.-Location:The hospital is...
- Kabale Regional Referral HospitalKabale HospitalKabale Regional Referral Hospital, commonly known as Kabale Hospital is a hospital in the town of Kabale, in Kabale District, in southwestern Uganda. It is the referral hospital for the districts of Kabale, Kanungu, Kisoro and Rukungiri.-Location:...
- Lira Regional Referral HospitalLira HospitalLira Regional Referral Hospital, commonly known as Lira Hospital is a hospital in Lira, northern Uganda. It is the referral hospital for the districts of Amolatar, Apac, Dokolo, Lira and Oyam.-Location:...
- Masaka Regional Referral HospitalMasaka HospitalMasaka Regional Referral Hospital, commonly known as Masaka Hospital is a hospital in the city of Masaka, in south-central Uganda. It is the referral hospital for the districts of Kalangala District, Lyantonde, Masaka and Rakai.-Location:...
- Mbale Regional Referral HospitalMbale HospitalMbale Regional Referral Hospital, commonly known as Mbale Hospital is a hospital in Mbale, eastern Uganda. It is the referral hospital for the districts of Busia, Budaka, Bukwa, Butaleja, Manafwa, Mbale, Pallisa, Sironko and Tororo.-Location:...
- Mbarara National Referral HospitalMbarara HospitalMbarara National Referral Hospital, commonly known as Mbarara Hospital is a hospital in Mbarara, Western Uganda. It is the referral hospital for the entire country and specifically for the districts of Mbarara, Bushenyi, Ntungamo, Kiruhura, Ibanda and Isingiro...
- Mengo HospitalMengo HospitalMengo Hospital, also known as Namirembe Hospital, is a hospital in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda.-Location:The hospital is located on Namirembe Hill, in Lubaga Division, in the northwestern Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest metropolitan area. The travel distance, by road, from the city's...
- Moroto Regional Referral HospitalMoroto HospitalMoroto Regional Referral Hospital, commonly known as Moroto Hospital is a hospital in the town of Moroto, in northeastern Uganda. It is the referral hospital for the districts of Abim, Kaabong, Kotido, Moroto and Nakapiripirit.-Location:...
- Mubende Regional Referral HospitalMubende HospitalMubende Regional Referral Hospital, commonly known as Mubende Hospital is a hospital in the town of Mubende, in Central Uganda. It is the referral hospital for the districts of Mubende, Mityana, Kiboga, and parts of Mpigi District.-Location:...
- St. Francis Hospital Nsambya
- Soroti Regional Referral HospitalSoroti HospitalSoroti Regional Referral Hospital, commonly known as Soroti Hospital is a hospital in the town of Soroti, in Soroti District, in eastern Uganda...
Postgraduate training
Specialization training, lasting three years, (provided there are no re-takes), leading to the award of the degree of Master of MedicineMaster of Medicine
Master of Medicine is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by medical schools to medical doctors following a period of instruction and examination. The degree is awarded by both surgical and medical subspecialties and usually includes a dissertation component involving original research...
(MMed) in the particular discipline is available at Makerere University School of Medicine
Makerere University School of Medicine
Makerere University School of Medicine , also known as Makerere University Medical School is the school of medicine of Makerere University, Uganda's oldest university. The medical school is the oldest medical school in Eastern Africa, having been part of the Makerere University, since 1924...
in the following disciplines: (both medical and surgical disciplines award the MMed)
- Anesthesiology
- Family MedicineFamily medicineFamily medicine is a medical specialty devoted to comprehensive health care for people of all ages. It is a division of primary care that provides continuing and comprehensive health care for the individual and family across all ages, sexes, diseases, and parts of the body...
- HematologyHematologyHematology, also spelled haematology , is the branch of biology physiology, internal medicine, pathology, clinical laboratory work, and pediatrics that is concerned with the study of blood, the blood-forming organs, and blood diseases...
- Internal MedicineInternal medicineInternal medicine is the medical specialty dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases. Physicians specializing in internal medicine are called internists. They are especially skilled in the management of patients who have undifferentiated or multi-system disease processes...
- Medical OncologyOncologyOncology is a branch of medicine that deals with cancer...
- MicrobiologyMicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
- NeurosurgeryNeurosurgeryNeurosurgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders which affect any portion of the nervous system including the brain, spine, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular system.-In the United States:In...
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- OphthalmologyOphthalmologyOphthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...
- OtolaryngologyOtolaryngologyOtolaryngology or ENT is the branch of medicine and surgery that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat, and head and neck disorders....
- PathologyPathologyPathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
- PediatricsPediatricsPediatrics or paediatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. A medical practitioner who specializes in this area is known as a pediatrician or paediatrician...
- PsychiatryPsychiatryPsychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders. These mental disorders include various affective, behavioural, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities...
- SurgerySurgerySurgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
- Surgical OncologySurgical oncologySurgical oncology is the branch of surgery which focuses on the surgical management of cancer.The specialty of surgical oncology has evolved in steps similar to medical oncology, which grew out of hematology, and radiation oncology, which grew out of radiology...
- UrologyUrologyUrology is the medical and surgical specialty that focuses on the urinary tracts of males and females, and on the reproductive system of males. Medical professionals specializing in the field of urology are called urologists and are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with urological...
Makerere University School of Public Health
Makerere University School of Public Health
Makerere University School of Public Health is one of the schools that constitute the Makerere University College of Health Sciences...
, located on Mulago Hill
Mulago
Mulago is a hill in north-central Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. The hill rises above sea level.-History:Mulago was derived from the Ganda word “omulago”, a type of medicine, kept on this hill, that was used by Kabaka Suuna II for protection against spirits. The landmark on this hill is...
, offers the degree of Master of Public Health
Master of Public Health
The Master of Public Health and the Doctor of Public Health are multi-disciplinary professional degrees awarded for studies in areas related to public health....
(MPH) following a twenty two (22) month period of study which includes field work.
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
(PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
) is awarded following a period of instruction, research and examination (typically three to five years), in select clinical disciplines. A recognized masters degree is required prior to admission into the PhD program.