Makerere health sciences college marks 100 years, plans lecture theatre expansion
Speaking at the launch of the Centennial Exhibition on December 8, 2025, Associate Professor David Meya, the chairperson of the centennial organising committee, said the milestone is a rare achievement in Africa.
Makerere University College of Health Sciences is celebrating 100 years of training health professionals in Uganda. (Photo by Annabel Oyera)
__________________ Makerere University College of Health Sciences is celebrating 100 years of training health professionals in Uganda. (Photo by Annabel Oyera)
Makerere University College of Health Sciences is celebrating 100 years of training health professionals in Uganda, unveiling plans to expand key teaching facilities to accommodate growing student numbers.
Speaking at the launch of the Centennial Exhibition on December 8, 2025, Associate Professor David Meya, the chairperson of the centennial organising committee, said the milestone is a rare achievement in Africa.
“In 2024, our college reached a century of excellence. Few institutions in Uganda or the continent have existed for 100 years. This centenary is an opportunity to celebrate our legacy and plan for the future,” he said.
Meya highlighted several events held as part of the celebrations, including a scientific lecture, a public dialogue on health-professions training, the first-ever Infectious Diseases Institute science fair under the centennial banner, and a student-led run on Mulago Hill.
The Centennial Exhibition at the Sir Albert Cook Library showcases the college’s achievements over the years. It features documents, patient treatment notes, photographs, and scholarly papers of pioneers like Sir Albert Cook, regarded as the father of modern medicine in Uganda, as well as staff who sustained the institution during periods of political instability.
A major focus of the centenary, Meya said, is alumni engagement. “Our alumni are excelling globally. Engaging them will support scholarships, infrastructure, and training opportunities for current students. Their involvement is crucial for shaping the next 100 years,” he said.
Expansion of the Davis Lecture Theatre
One of the college’s most pressing needs is the Davis Lecture Theatre, the central teaching hall for early-year students. Built to seat 200, it now hosts more than 400 students in joint courses.
“We plan to expand the theatre to accommodate 500 students, install modern audio-visual systems, and include solar power backup. The refurbishment will cost over shillings 700 million, and we are calling on alumni and friends to support this effort,” Meya said.
The broader Rehabilitation and Renovation Project will also improve parking space, construct a dedicated college gate, and feature a centennial monument to be unveiled in March 2025.
Deputy Principal Outlines Vision for the Future
Professor Richard Idro, the deputy principal of the College of Health Sciences, said the centenary reflects both past achievements and a roadmap for the next century.
“Our college has trained doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, midwives, and specialists who now serve across Uganda and the East African region. We have also led groundbreaking research in HIV, cancers, sickle cell disease, and nodding syndrome,” Idro said.
He emphasised that infrastructure, alumni support, and government partnerships are critical to meet the growing demand for medical education. Discussions are ongoing to establish a new Biomedical Training Centre and a second teaching hospital to complement Mulago Hospital.
“Demand for admission is high. Currently, we take only 150 medical students, 50 nurses, and 50 pharmacy students each year, yet we could double these numbers if we had sufficient facilities and laboratories. Expanding the Davis Lecture Theatre is the first major step,” Idro said.
The centennial celebrations, leaders say, are not only a chance to honour the past but also to engage alumni, partners, and the wider community in shaping the future of Uganda’s health workforce.