Busitema University will join the rest of the country in observing National Cleaning Day on Saturday, 29 August 2026, with students across its campuses expected to take part in activities aimed at promoting cleaner and healthier environments.

In a communication issued on 25 August 2026, the Office of the Dean of Students called upon students to actively participate in the exercise at their respective campuses.

The University's participation forms part of the Government of Uganda's National Cleaning Days initiative, which designates the last Saturday of every month for communities across the country to take part in organised cleaning activities.

The initiative was approved by Cabinet in August 2025 and officially launched on 25 July 2026 under the theme, “A Clean Uganda is Everybody's Responsibility.” It seeks to improve sanitation and public health while encouraging Ugandans to take greater responsibility for the cleanliness of their surroundings.

The inaugural exercise on 25 July marked the beginning of the monthly nationwide programme, with 29^th August 2026 designated as the next National Cleaning Day.

At Busitema University, preparations for the day will involve different levels of student and campus leadership. RCCs and other Guild leaders have been requested to mobilise students, while Wardens will liaise with Deans of Faculties to spearhead activities at the respective campuses.

The exercise presents an opportunity for students to contribute directly to maintaining the environments in which they study and live, while participating in a wider national effort to strengthen a culture of cleanliness and shared responsibility.

Students are therefore encouraged to follow guidance from their respective campus leadership and turn up for the activities on Saturday, 29 August 2026.

Through its participation in National Cleaning Day, Busitema University joins communities and institutions across Uganda in supporting efforts towards cleaner, healthier and more conducive environments.

A research assignment is due, you have been asked to support your arguments with scholarly sources, and a quick internet search is returning hundreds of results. Which ones can you trust? Where can you find the full article? And what happens when the material you need appears to be locked behind a subscription?

For students at Busitema University, the answer may be closer than they think. Busitema University Library provides access to a wide range of electronic resources and research support services designed to help students find credible academic information for assignments, coursework, projects, dissertations and other research activities.

These services extend well beyond the physical library building. Through the Library website, students can discover scholarly articles, journals, e-books, theses and dissertations, research databases, subject guides and other academic resources from a computer or mobile device. Students who encounter difficulties along the way can also seek help virtually through the Library's Ask a Librarian – Chat Reference service, or face-to-face from librarians at their respective campus libraries.

More than books: What can you find through the Library?

The Library's electronic resources bring together scholarly information covering the different disciplines taught at Busitema University. Instead of depending only on general internet searches, students can use these resources to locate academic information that is more suitable for university-level study and research.

Through the E-Resources Portal on the Busitema University Library website, users can access or discover the Library Catalogue, Institutional Repository, Open Access Resources, A–Z Databases, Research4Life databases, statistical databases, Research Guides and subject-specific collections.

Research4Life: scholarly information across disciplines

One of the major electronic resource collections available through the Library is Research4Life, which provides access to a large collection of scholarly journals, e-books and other academic resources. Research4Life is organised into five major subject programmes, making it easier for students to identify resources relevant to their disciplines.

HINARI supports research in health and biomedical sciences. It is particularly useful for students and researchers working in areas such as medicine, nursing and allied health, nutrition, biotechnology, infectious diseases, dentistry, paediatrics, surgery and other health-related disciplines.

AGORA focuses on agriculture and related fields, including agricultural sciences, fisheries, food and nutrition, veterinary science, life sciences and environmental and social sciences related to agriculture.

OARE provides resources in environmental research, including ecology, conservation, environmental engineering, energy, geography, pollution, environmental economics and environmental law.

ARDI provides scholarly material in science, technology, development and innovation and can support students and researchers working in engineering, applied sciences and related technological fields.

GOALI provides access to legal and social science information, covering areas such as law, politics, economics, philosophy, history and the social sciences.

Students who need assistance with Research4Life login details can contact a librarian at their campus or access the resources through MyLOFT.

Search several electronic resources through LibHub

Students do not always have to know the exact database in which an article is located before beginning their search.

The Library's LibHub service allows users to search across the University's online resources using a common search interface. Students can search for journal articles, journals, databases, books and other electronic materials from one place.

This can be particularly useful at the beginning of an assignment or research project when a student has a topic or keywords but is not yet sure which database is most appropriate.

A good search should not necessarily begin with a full research question. Students can start with the main concepts or keywords from their topic and refine their search as they discover new terminology and relevant literature.

Find Busitema University research through the Institutional Repository

Students can also learn from research already produced within Busitema University. The University's Institutional Repository provides access to institutional scholarly output, including research associated with students, academic staff and other members of the University community.

This is an important starting point for students who want to understand research that has already been conducted in their area of interest, identify potential gaps for further investigation or explore previous scholarly work from Busitema University. The Library also provides access to institutional research collections through its digital discovery platforms.

Use B-DEALS to discover theses and dissertations

The Library's B-DEALS — Busitema University's Digital Environment for Access to Learning and Scholarship brings together research output, including students' theses and dissertations.

Where an item is not openly available in full text, students may be able to request access to a digital copy or seek assistance through the Library's Document Delivery Services.

For a student beginning a research project or dissertation, previous theses and dissertations can be useful for understanding how similar topics have been approached, identifying research methods and discovering references that can lead to additional sources.

They should, however, be used as research guides rather than copied or treated as substitutes for conducting one's own literature search.

Find books through the Library Catalogue

Electronic research does not make the Library's print collection any less important.

The Busitema University Library Catalogue allows students to search the University's print and electronic collections. Searches can be conducted using information such as the title of a resource, author's name, subject, ISBN, keyword or call number.

Because Busitema University operates libraries across several campuses, the catalogue can also help students identify where a particular resource is located and whether it is available. This can save time before visiting the Library and can also help researchers discover other books on the same subject.

Not sure where to begin? Use the Research Guides

Sometimes the challenge is not the absence of information, but having too much information and not knowing where to begin.

Busitema University Library's Research Guides are prepared by librarians to guide students through the research process. Guides can be organised by subject, course, topic, librarian or library and can direct users towards relevant journals, databases, reference resources, websites and other scholarly information.

A student conducting research in engineering, agriculture, education, health sciences, natural resources or another discipline can therefore begin with a guide relevant to that field instead of searching the entire internet without direction.

The guides are particularly useful for students who are beginning academic research and are still learning which databases and information sources are recognised within their disciplines.

Accessing e-resources while on campus

Students connected to Busitema University's network can access many Library electronic resources through the Library website.

Some subscribed resources recognise users through the University's network, while others may require institutional authentication or login credentials.

Students are therefore encouraged to begin from the Busitema University Library website rather than searching for subscription databases independently on the open web. Beginning from the Library portal helps users follow the University's recognised access routes to subscribed resources.

Where login details are required, students can contact their Campus Librarian for assistance.

Away from campus? The Library can still come with you

Leaving campus does not mean leaving the Library's electronic resources behind.

Busitema University Library provides remote access through MyLOFT — My Library on Fingertips.

MyLOFT is an authentication platform that enables authorised Busitema University users to access subscribed scholarly resources even when they are using a private internet connection away from the University network.

Students can begin the MyLOFT registration process through the Library website. During registration, users are required to select Busitema University and provide the requested account information. The Library recommends the use of a Busitema University email address.

Once properly registered and authenticated, MyLOFT can provide a convenient route to electronic resources whether a student is studying from campus, home or another location.

For students who experience difficulties setting up or using MyLOFT, support is available from Library staff.

Finding information is only part of research

Having access to thousands of journals and books does not automatically make research easy.

Students may still face questions such as:

• Which database should I use for my topic?

• Why am I getting too many or too few search results?

• How can I find recent peer-reviewed articles?

• How do I know whether a source is credible?

• How can I access the full text of an article?

• Where should I begin my literature review?

• How do I properly acknowledge the sources I have used?

• Which referencing style should I use?

• How can I organise the articles and references I have collected?

These are exactly the kinds of challenges for which Library research support exists.

Ask a Librarian: research help wherever you are

Students do not have to struggle with a research problem until their next physical visit to the Library.

Busitema University Library provides Ask a Librarian, its Chat Reference service, through the Library website.

The service gives students an opportunity to seek assistance from Library staff virtually when they have questions about research, information resources or using Library services.

A student may use Chat Reference when they need guidance identifying an appropriate database, improving search terms, locating a book or journal article, navigating an electronic resource or deciding where to begin searching for information on a particular topic.

The value of Chat Reference is its convenience. A student working on an assignment away from the Library can still reach out for professional guidance rather than abandoning a search when difficulties arise.

The Ask a Librarian service is integrated into the Library's online research-support environment, making virtual reference assistance part of the wider Library experience.

Research help is also available face-to-face

Students who prefer in-person assistance are encouraged to visit their respective campus libraries and speak with Library staff.

Campus Librarians provide professional research assistance and can help users locate information materials for coursework and research.

Students who are not sure where to begin can also request research consultations. These consultations can provide more focused assistance for a specific assignment, research proposal, dissertation or other academic project.

Face-to-face support may be particularly valuable when a research question requires a longer discussion, when a student needs help developing a search strategy or when several databases and information sources need to be explored.

The Library's reference desks also provide a physical point where users can ask questions about finding resources and navigating Library collections and services.

Other ways to reach the Library virtually

Chat Reference is not the only virtual channel available for research assistance. Students can also send research questions through the Library's electronic communication channels. The Library's Information and Reference Services page lists email support alongside Chat Reference and other forms of virtual assistance.

For general Library enquiries, students can reach Busitema University Library through library@busitema.ac.ug

The Library also continues to provide research support through its website, research guides, online databases and other digital services.

Get help with citations and managing your references

Good research does not end when you find the right article. Students must also keep track of their sources and properly acknowledge the work of other authors.

Busitema University Library provides guidance on citation and scholarly writing, including support for reference-management tools such as Zotero and Mendeley.

These tools can help researchers organise references collected during a literature search, store bibliographic information and manage citations while preparing academic work.

The Library also provides guidance relating to commonly used citation styles, including APA, MLA and Chicago.

Students should always follow the citation style required by their faculty, department, lecturer, supervisor or academic programme.

Strengthen your research skills through information literacy support

The Library's role is not simply to give students access to information; it also helps students develop the skills required to find, evaluate and use that information effectively.

Through information literacy instruction, Library workshops, research guides and other user-education activities, students can learn how to formulate research questions, develop search strategies, evaluate sources and use information ethically.

These skills become increasingly important as students progress from ordinary coursework to research proposals, final-year projects and postgraduate research.

When you cannot find what you need, ask

One of the most important research habits a student can develop is knowing when to seek assistance. If a search is producing irrelevant results, a resource will not open, an article appears unavailable, or you simply do not know where to begin, do not assume the information does not exist.

Talk to a librarian.

Visit your Campus Library for face-to-face assistance, consult the Research Guides, use MyLOFT when accessing subscribed resources remotely, or open the Ask a Librarian – Chat Reference

Visit the Busitema University Library website, explore the E-resources available to you and, whenever your research reaches a difficult point, remember: you can Ask a Librarian, and Tools/handouts to help you through the research process.

Busitema University has begun preparations for the fourth edition of the Ultimate University Quiz with a clear ambition to improve on its third-place finish in the previous edition, as students gain direct exposure to some of Uganda’s leading institutions and potential career opportunities.

The preparations received a boost when representatives from Vision Group and its partners visited Busitema University for a student engagement ahead of the national competition. The engagement, held at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Conference Hall, brought together newly reported first-year students and introduced them to the competition, its expectations and the opportunities it offers beyond the quiz itself.

Busitema University was the first university visited by the organisers as part of the pre-quiz engagements.

Organised by Vision Group (New Vision) in partnership with the Bank of Uganda, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and Turkish Airlines, the Ultimate University Quiz brings together 27 chartered universities to compete in a contest designed to test students’ knowledge across a wide range of disciplines and current affairs.

The competition presents an opportunity for Busitema University to build on last year’s performance, when its team finished third among participating institutions.

Vision Group Programme Coordinator Max Adii told students that success in the competition would require preparation beyond the confines of their academic programmes. He encouraged participants to broaden their knowledge across banking, the economy, sports, aviation, taxation, ICT, data protection, legal affairs, environment, science, technology and innovation, literature, current affairs and other areas likely to feature in the competition.

The stakes are also significant. The winning university is set to receive Shs25 million, while the individual winner will receive a laptop and Shs1 million. The first runners-up will receive Shs15 million, laptops and Shs500,000, while the third runners-up will receive Shs400,000 alongside other prizes. The coach of the victorious team will also receive an air ticket from Turkish Airlines to a destination of their choice.

For students, however, the engagement offered more than an introduction to the competition. Representatives of the partner institutions used the opportunity to connect with students and share information about their organisations, professional opportunities and areas of interest relevant to the quiz.

Team leads Jonah Waiswa from the Bank of Uganda, Collin Agaba from the Uganda Communications Commission and Godwin Akiza from the Uganda Revenue Authority made presentations about their respective institutions. Their presentations touched on areas including internship opportunities, public awareness and the use of emerging platforms such as TikTok to engage younger audiences.

The interaction provided students with an opportunity to learn directly from professionals working in key national institutions while gaining insights that could prove useful both in the quiz and in their future careers.

Representing the Dean of Students and University Management, David Owino, the Administrative Guild Assistant and coach of the Busitema University team, welcomed the organisers and participants. He emphasised the importance of starting preparations early, particularly given the breadth of knowledge required for the competition.

Owino noted that the University's performance in the previous edition demonstrates its potential to compete at the highest level and that early preparation can give the team an advantage as it seeks to go beyond last year's third-place finish.

The University's student leadership also welcomed the engagement. The 17^th Guild President, Onesmus Kamara, thanked the University for creating opportunities that expose students to organisations and professionals beyond the campus.

He described such engagements as important platforms for networking, noting that the relationships students build through them can contribute to their personal development as well as the broader advancement of the institution.

The University's preparations are also benefiting from the experience of students who participated in last year's competition. Bong Alex from the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sikoria Aggrey Joshua from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, who were members of the team that secured third place, attended the engagement and encouraged fellow students to take part.

Sikoria, who also serves as the Resident Campus Commissioner for Busitema Campus, played a role in mobilising students for the engagement and shared his experience with those preparing for the forthcoming competition.

With students drawn from different academic backgrounds, the University is now looking to build a team capable of combining disciplinary knowledge with awareness of national and global developments.

The fourth Ultimate University Quiz therefore offers Busitema University more than another opportunity to compete. It provides a platform for students to demonstrate their intellectual breadth, engage directly with influential national institutions, explore professional opportunities and raise the University's profile through academic competition.

Having already secured a place among the country's leading university quiz teams, Busitema University is now setting its sights on turning last year's third-place finish into an even stronger performance in the fourth edition.

BUSITEMA UNIVERSITY
Pursuing Excellence

17 August, 2026

FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

NEWSLETTER

Professionalism is key in medical school. Emphasizing the professional stadard of the health sector: Students were urged to maintain a sharp appearence at all times. Male students were advised to wear formal attire with necktie for academic sessions while female students were guided to adhere to decent, professional dress standards.

Security briefing: A joint team led by the Faculty Head of Security together with officers from the Uganda Police Force briefed the new cohort on safety protocols and University expectations. Students were advised to prioritise their security by remaining cautious with late-night travel, securing personal property and adhering to campus regulations.

FRESHERS ORIENTATION AND INDUCTION

A new chapter begins at FHS: Cohort 2026 is welcomed into medical school

From the 10th to 14th of August, 2026, the Faculty of Health sciences at Busitema University proudly welcomed its newest cohort of future healthcare professionals. The cohort comprises of Pharmacy, Nursing, Anesthesia and Medicine & surgery students.

The orientation week was led by the Faculty Dean, Prof. Dan Kibuule, together with other administrators, distinguished lecturers, student guild leaders led by the Guild President, association leaders and senior student mentors. Together they officially ushered the freshers into the rigorous, rewarding world of medical training.

A MESSAGE FROM THE FACULTY DEAN

The Faculty Dean, Prof. Dan Kibuule warmly welcomed the new cohort of freshers, setting an inspiring tone for the academic journey ahead. He assured students that choosing Busitema University is a decision they will be proud of.

The Dean delivered a powerful reminder that time is our most precious resource - once lost, it can never be regained.

He proudly affirmed that Busitema produces the most skilled and dedicated doctors in Uganda. In his speech, the Dean also provided an insightful overview of the University’s diverse faculties, leaving the freshers equiped, motivated and ready to make the most of the opportunities ahead.

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Faculty of Health Sciences - Busitema University

@bufhs

Website:
https://fhs.busitema.ac.ug

17 August, 2026

FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

NEWSLETTER

Celebrating a major milestone in academic infrastructure at FHS kabwangasi

On Friday August 14th, a major milestone was achieved as the newly constructed physiology laboratory was officially handed over to the Faculty of Health Sciences at Kabwangasi Campus .The event was led by the Dean , Prof. Dan Kibuule accompanied by department Heads , academic staff and project engineers .

Project Engineer guarantees modern facilities ready for use

The project engineer assured faculty members that the new facility boasts modern equipment designed to provide medical students with immersive , hands-on clinical and practical experience . He further stated that the lab is fully prepared to empower students with essential practical skills .

NEW LAUNDRY HOUSE HANDED OVER AT GIRLS' HOSTEL

Hostel infrastructure upgrade : The faculty also received the newly completed laundry facility at the girls’ hostel , Kabwangasi campus . Beyond enhancing campus sanitation , this facility significantly improves daily convenience for resident students - giving them a dedicated and hygienic space for laudary .Offers safe, sheltered washing spaces and modern flush toilets .
The faculty members, led by the project engineer inspected the facility.

The event was graced by distinguished academic staff , including Prof. Jehu Iputo , Prof. Odoi Adome, and several faculty lecturers .

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Faculty of Health Sciences - Busitema University

@bufhs

Website:
https://fhs.busitema.ac.ug

The Directorate of Information and Communication Technology Services (DICTS) at Busitema University has successfully implemented a modern, sustainable power backup system to ensure uninterrupted operation of the university’s server infrastructure.

This new power solution integrates solar energy, lithium battery storage, and grid (hydro) electricity into a seamless and intelligent system designed to guarantee reliability, efficiency, and resilience.

How the System Works

The setup consists of 38 solar panels that harness clean energy during the day. This solar power directly supports the server room operations while simultaneously charging a high-capacity lithium battery system.

At night, the system automatically switches to grid (hydro) power as the primary source of electricity. In the event of a grid power outage, the lithium battery—charged during the day—instantly takes over, ensuring continuous power supply to critical systems.

All transitions between power sources are managed by a smart inverter, which enables automatic, seamless switching without any interruption to services.

Key Benefits

• Uninterrupted Services: Ensures continuous availability of university digital systems and services.
• Energy Efficiency: Maximizes the use of solar energy, reducing dependence on grid power.
• Sustainability: Promotes green energy adoption and reduces the university’s carbon footprint.
• Reliability: Provides a robust backup mechanism in case of power outages.
• Automation: Eliminates manual intervention through intelligent power switching.

Supporting the University’s Digital Mission

This initiative reflects DICTS’ commitment to strengthening the university’s ICT infrastructure and supporting teaching, learning, research, and administrative functions through reliable technology services.

By adopting this hybrid power solution, Busitema University continues to demonstrate leadership in leveraging innovative and sustainable technologies to enhance institutional efficiency and service delivery.

In an effort to ensure a smooth transition into university life, first-year students at various campuses received a comprehensive orientation on University systems. The orientation, held on between 7th of September to 15 of September 2023, provided newcomers with valuable insights into the array of systems and resources available to them throughout their academic journey.

The orientation covered a wide range of essential topics, including:

• The Admission System
• Students Portal System
• Varous websites including the main University Site
• Introduction to eduroam internet

Among others

The orientation sessions were led by experienced faculty and staff members who were available to answer questions and provide guidance. Attendees were also given access to online resources and handouts for future reference.

Busitema Universoty, Directorate of ICT remains committed to supporting the success of its students and believes that a strong understanding of campus systems is crucial for a successful academic journey. This comprehensive orientation serves as a crucial first step in helping first-year students make the most of their university experience

To register for institutional mail, please fill in the following forms. Forms are to be filled according to respective faculties. Click here to access forms

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