A century of health professions’ education, training, academic research and service at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

The Makerere University College of Health Sciences traces its history to 1924, when Makerere University Medical School was established as a medical training University unit in East and Central Africa; drawing trainees from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and small numbers from Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Subsequently it became a Faculty of Medicine, based at Mulago National Referral Hospital complex. The early qualifications were Licentiates that were recognised by the General Medical Council of the UK. After Independence these qualifications were converted into the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery of the University of East Africa until Makerere was established as an independent University with the Faculty of Medicine and other regional universities in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam had started medical training programs. The new Medical School in Nairobi was facilitated by cohorts of Makerere Students and teachers locating to Nairobi for periods of time to prepare the Kenyatta National Hospital to handle medical students.