As 754 students graduated from Mayanja Memorial Medical Institute on Saturday, November 15, 2025, in disciplines including nursing, midwifery, laboratory sciences, and clinical medicine, they were urged to obtain professional licenses before seeking employment.
‘You are not allowed to practice if your profession council has not given you a license. You may be here celebrating, but when an opportunity comes and you have not been recognized by the professional body, you may not get the job,’ said Peace Busingye Sabiiti, Chairperson of the institute’s Governing Council.
She warned that graduates without licenses could face legal consequences.
‘You can be a graduate, a qualified nurse, but as long as you are not registered by the regulatory body, you are not allowed to use the title ‘nurse’ or ‘midwife.’ When we find you practicing without a license, we can pick you up and take you to the shade where criminals go,’ she said.
Professor Joram Kabakyenga, Acting Managing Director of Mayanja Institute, encouraged graduates to approach their careers with pride, humility, and purpose.
‘As our motto says, empowering to serve, with the training that you have gone through, as evidenced by the certificates attained, you are now empowered to go and serve. Congratulations, and may God bless you,’ he said.
Professor Kabakyenga also praised the institute’s staff for their dedication since the institute’s inception.
‘Today we don’t only celebrate the academic achievements of graduates but also reflect on a remarkable journey of vision, resilience, and unwavering commitment to excellence in health care professional training. The institute was established to produce competent, compassionate, and ethical health workers to serve our communities and strengthen our health care system,’ he said.
Jackline Ninyikiriza, Principal of Mayanja Medical Training Institute, highlighted the institute’s focus on discipline, active teaching, and producing well-trained health professionals. She urged graduates to uphold ethics in their practice.
‘Dear graduates, I implore you to respect patients the way they come, and respect yourselves. Don’t take bribes. Many people are poor; please don’t segregate between the rich and the poor, don’t segregate by culture. Treat all patients equally, treat patients with dignity,’ she said.
The graduation marked not only a milestone for the students but also a reflection of the institute’s commitment to producing skilled and ethical health care professionals ready to serve Uganda’s communities.