Govt launches first national journal of nursing and midwifery

NJERU - The Government has launched a journal of nursing and midwifery, marking a historic milestone for the nursing and midwifery profession in Uganda.

It was unveiled at Nile Hotel in Njeru Municipality on Friday (May 29), senior government officials, health leaders and nursing professionals in attendance.

The launch underlines the growing recognition of nurses and midwives as the backbone of Uganda’s health system.

Dr Alfred Yayi, a senior executive consultant at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, represented health ministry permanent secretary Dr Diana Atwine as the chief guest.

“Uganda has approximately 120,000 registered nurses and midwives, making them by far the largest category of health professionals. They are the backbone of the health system and the first point of contact for the majority of Ugandans,” said Yayi.

He said that while nurses manage obstetric emergencies, run immunization programmes, counsel HIV patients, and staff hospital wards, their vast clinical knowledge has rarely been documented in formal academic records.

The Uganda Journal of Nursing and Midwifery aims to change that.

“The journal will serve as a critical bridge between practice and evidence. It will document clinical observations, programme evaluations, and research findings to influence both practice and policy,” added Yayi.

“The Ministry of Health has expressed strong support for the initiative and urged health workers to actively contribute.”

Yayi said the journal has given nurses and midwives a voice and that they should seize the opportunity.

Dr. Elizabeth Namukombe Ekong, the chairperson of the governing council of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council (UNMC), described the journal as essential for advancing the profession in the digital era.

She thanked the council members and secretariat for their vision and called on all medical professionals, not just nurses and midwives, to contribute.

Dr. Alfred Yayi (R) the Senior Executive Consultant of Jinja Regional Referral Hospital launching the Nurses and Midwives Journal at Nile Hotel in Njeru Municipality on May 29th as the Commissioner Health and Education Training Hajati Dr. Safina Musene (L) and board members of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council look on. (Credit: Donald Kiirya)

Hajati Safinah Museene, the commissioner for health and education training at the Ministry of Education and Sports and a nurse educator herself, congratulated the council, describing the launch as a significant achievement for Uganda.

She urged participants to submit their research for publication, noting that the sky is no longer the limit.

Christine Nimwesiga, the registrar of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council, explained the rationale behind the journal.

Many nurses and midwives complete research at diploma, bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels, but their findings often remain locked in libraries or examination offices.

“We have seen a lot of evidence accumulated, but we felt this journal will help disseminate the results, not only to nurses and midwives, but also to other health professionals,” said Nimwesiga.

The journal will be published biannually, with the next issue scheduled for November.

The council plans to conduct webinars, capacity-building sessions for nursing leaders, and use existing structures at national, regional, district, and facility levels to encourage contributions.

A registration system will notify users of new issues, with special efforts to reach practitioners in rural areas.

The initiative aligns with the council’s mandate on continuous professional development and complements its earlier digital efforts, including online registration and licensure.

The launch is expected to foster a culture of research, documentation, and evidence-based practice, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for all Ugandans.