Tag Archives: dentistry

Uganda Christian University School of Medicine students are (left to right) Peter Kabuye, Richard Ogwal, Ayikoru Hilda Diana, Birungi Beatrice, Ampumuza Davis and Ronnie Mwesigwa (UCU Partners photo)

UCU Year One – School of Medicine Student Reflections

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Uganda Christian University School of Medicine students are (left to right) Peter Kabuye, Richard Ogwal, Ayikoru Hilda Diana, Birungi Beatrice, Ampumuza Davis and Ronnie Mwesigwa (UCU Partners photo)
Uganda Christian University School of Medicine students are (left to right) Peter Kabuye, Richard Ogwal, Ayikoru Hilda Diana, Birungi Beatrice, Ampumuza Davis and Ronnie Mwesigwa (UCU Partners photo)

Note: Uganda Christian University (UCU) Partners selected a sample of the UCU School of Medicine inaugural class with feature stories on each in 2018 and the intent for an annual follow up. Here, at the end of two semesters, are edited responses to two questions posed by the Partners team of Brendah Ndagire, Pauline Nyangoma, Douglas Olum, Frank Obonyo, Alex Taremwa and Patty Huston-Holm.

Qn1. What is one new experience?

Mwesigwa Ronnie, surgery and medicine
The new experience I have this semester is the practicals. Also, I am having two more tests before the end of the semester. The lecturer had travelled out of the country, and she just returned. So we are having the tests before we begin our exams the other week (in about two week’s time).

Ampumuza Davis, surgery and medicine
There are plenty of off-putting myths about being a medical student, but in reality, it is enjoyable, interesting and highly rewarding especially in light of what we are working towards. This semester has exposed me so much and ignited me to go beyond the basic lecture material and satisfy my curiosity about what I have been taught especially in anatomy classes. Clearly, I am confident that I will make a crucial difference to my patients.

Beatrice Birungi, surgery and medicine
Towards the end of March, our class had a clinical exposure. It was so amazing to see a mother deliver a baby naturally without going through a caesarian operation. I was very happy because it gave me hope that with skills and commitment, I will save lives of babies and mothers who die in my country due to ill-equipped facilities and poorly trained health workers.

Kabuye Peter, dentistry
Clinical exposure sessions are amazing. We divide ourselves into smaller groups that rotate around the different departments of medicine (medicine, pediatrics, surgery and gynecology and obstetrics) weekly. These sessions enable us to apply our theoretical knowledge.

Richard Ogwal, dentistry
I enjoy clinical exposure (practical sessions) in the hospital wards, the lecturers are friendly and full of words of encouragement, students are cooperative in discussing academic work, and l thank God l am passing the progressive examination tests. Leadership. I have no new roles and responsibilities yet but I am still holding the previous post as the boys’ representative.

Ayikoru Hilda Diana, dentistry
The clinical exposures this semester have been very interesting and helpful in mastering the lectured work. For example, this semester we did embryology and whenever we went to obstetrics and gynecology, the gynecologists showed us the anomalies we learned. One day, we witnessed a mother giving birth to a baby and thereafter studied the placenta. In pediatrics, we were taught how to diagnose on two different occasions. The first time, we were taught about pneumonia and the pediatrician then asked us to try to diagnose and categorize a child who seemed to have the same signs as those of pneumonia. We went through all the procedures from interviewing the parent of the child and looking at the signs he presented. In the end we diagnosed the child with severe pneumonia, which turned out to be wrong. He simply had asthma. On the second occasion, we were taught about diarrhea in infants and repeated the procedure for diagnosis and indeed the child had come to hospital with severe diarrhea with dehydration, but by then she had improved. Without this exposure, I would never have related theory to reality.

Qn2. Other than money, what are two challenges you face now?

Mwesigwa Ronnie, surgery and medicine
My only challenge this semester is the workload. They have introduced us to practicals that we did not have last semester. We have two practicals every week after which we have to write reports. And that means we also have to write two reports every week in addition to the lectures and tests that we may have. That has cut down on the time I would have for reading that would refresh my mind.

Ampumuza Davis, surgery and medicine
I knew being a medical student would involve working harder than I have ever worked in my life, but I didn’t realize how hard that would be. I have a lot other responsibilities alongside my studies that involve looking for school fees and supporting my siblings. Secondly, the school has no sports facilities, gym and much more at the main campus. The school also should work towards acquiring updated textbooks in the library and expand our learning rooms for they are congested.

Beatrice Birungi, surgery and medicine
We have a lot of reading that we barely have time for personal life. This is a challenge because my life is not balanced without the social aspect. However, I am trying to work out my own schedule to ensure that I have a better-balanced life. At the medical school, we still adequate space.  We are 60 in total, and there is no room for reading and in lecture rooms.

Kabuye Peter, dentistry
My first challenge is commuting from home. It is cheaper than staying at the university hostels, but challenges my studies with time on the road. The second challenge is learning space with 60 students in small lecture rooms that are often hot and not air-conditioned.

Richard Ogwal, dentistry
The experience I have had so far has made me realize that medical school is so demanding not only on matters of academic concentration but also on time, scholastic materials and personal requirements. We are still doing mostly medicine-related work as opposed to dentistry, but l am comfortable because there are many similar things that I used to do as a Clinical Officer. With so much academic work, including foundation units, filled with assignments, report writings and recently introduced practical sessions, there’s almost no time for leisure or checking in with my family that expects me to pay tuition for my siblings. It is a stress factor that I am afraid could affect even my performance. We have no facilities for sports that could help lessen the stress.

Ayikoru Hilda Diana, dentistry
There’s so much to do in such a little time in medical school. I have to attend lectures the whole day, find time to write reports, assignments and do personal study. It’s really hard to fit all these in. One week, I had three very long reports to write for biochemistry and physiology practical. I also had two essays to write and a test. I learned not to procrastinate anything, from personal study to assignments because they eventually pile up and become very hard to complete. I also changed my strategies of studying. I discuss more with my classmates to improve understanding. It also is important to actively participate in lectures and labs. For example, dissection for anatomy opens up your mind about a particular topic and saves you some time as you read. The other problem I’ve faced is having enough time for family, friends and fun. Most people assume that I’m always busy and find it unnecessary to invite and inform me, which causes me to feel alone. Going out refreshes my brain. I also ensure that I go to church on Sundays so as to interact with people and my family after the service.

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Those interested in helping students like these become part of the solution to Uganda’s health care system or providing other support to UCU can contact UCU Partners Executive Director Mark Bartels at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org or go to https://www.ugandapartners.org/donate/.

For more of these stories and experiences, visit https://www.ugandapartners.org.

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Student Profile: Three days away from dropping out… then, God stepped in

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Ogwal in an interview with Uganda Partners at the Medical School premises

(NOTE:  In September 2018, Uganda Christian University launched a School of Medicine with 60 students. To “put a face” on Uganda’s future doctors and dentists, some of these students, including this one, were interviewed at the completion of the first semester.)

By Alex Taremwa
When he applied (one day before the deadline) to be enrolled in dentistry as part of the pioneer Uganda Christian University (UCU) School of Medicine, Richard Ogwal, who turns 36 in February, did not know where the $1,900 (Shs7million) for tuition was going to come from.

He arrived from his rural district of Agago in Northern Uganda with just $270 (Shs1million) that was not even enough to cover his hostel fees. The father of two and the firstborn of an extended family of 17 children from four wives said that he counted on the Government Loans’ Scheme and the State House Scholarship to meet his tuition.

However, his bubble burst midway through the first semester when the list of successful candidates for the Government Loans’ Scheme was pinned on the notice board.  Ogwal’s name was not in it.

When he inquired from the Medical School Head, Dr. Ned Kanyesigye, about the absence of his name, Ogwal was told that the government could not include UCU Medical School courses among those covered by the Scheme for 2018 because the School started in mid-year – not the full year. Around the same time, Ogwal received a warning letter that he would be thrown out of the hostel if he did not register fully.  A few days later, another letter arrived – this time from the Academics Office warning him that he would not be allowed to take the forthcoming examinations if he wasn’t fully paid up.

“I almost ran mad,” Ogwal said. “Not only was I stuck, but I also was very frustrated. I kept calling Dr. Ned, David Mugawe (the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Development and External Relations) and literally everyone who cared to listen about my problems. They said they would pray for me.”

The fast
A strong and prayerful Christian, Ogwal turned to God. At the same time, he phoned his parents back home and instructed them to sell off a piece of land he had acquired. But the plan hit a snag when the buyer pulled out at the last minute.

Ogwal’s hopes diminished.

With family members, he engaged in a three-day fast that lengthened to five days.

“Things were tough,” Ogwal, now a hostel captain, said. “The siblings that I pay for needed money, my family needed money, I needed money, and I was running out of time. My friends up to now tell me that I am the most courageous person because I remained firm.”

Two days after the family’s five-day fast, Ogwal got a breakthrough. He received a phone call inviting him to Uganda’s Parliament to sign off on the State House Scholarship. He recalled that day:

“This time, I actually ran mad! I could not believe it. I ran out of the gate and took a boda-boda (motorcycle) to Parliament, handed in my passport photo and academic papers and the money –and all the Shs7 million was processed to the university’s account.”

By the time he returned from Parliament, UCU’s Financial Aid Manager, Walter Washika, had already notified the School of Medicine to clear Ogwal for exams and fully register him – a pure work of God.

Ogwal during the interview with Uganda Partners at the Medical School premises.
Ogwal during the interview with Uganda Partners at the Medical School premises.

The Bachelors in Dental Science student now speaks confidently about the future that awaits him. In the midst of his studies, he says that he wants to start a charity organisation that will help less-privileged children like him getter a better education and livelihood. Unlike at his home where he and his siblings only had one meal a day, he wants to give children the chance for more nutrition and a better life, especially in war-torn areas like his home district where the Lords’ Resistance Army (LRA) once forced his family to live in an Internally Displaced Camp (IDP).

Ogwal says in addition to his studies, he hopes to inspire fellow students about the Grace of God through prayer and fellowship.

“I am the first in my village to study Dentistry,” he said “My people expect a lot of me and I have to live up to that standard so that I can inspire the next generation.”

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More information about the Uganda Christian University School of Medicine can be obtained at https://www.ugandapartners.org/priority-projects.  To support students, books and facilities at the medical school, contact Mark Bartels, executive director, UCU Partners, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org or https://www.ugandapartners.org/donate/.

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