Ministry of Health Begins Five-Day Self-Care and Wellbeing Programme at Busitema University

19 October 2026

The Ministry of Health has commenced a five-day programme of self-care and wellbeing engagements at Busitema University today, Monday, 19 October 2026, aimed at strengthening health awareness, promoting self-care practices and improving access to healthcare services among students and the wider University community.

The programme opened at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Busitema Campus, with an engagement attended by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Assoc. Prof. Pakoyo F. Kamba, who represented Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul Waako. Also present were the University Secretary, Dean of Students, members of Top Management, Ministry of Health officials, Guild leaders and selected volunteer student peer supporters.

The opening activities marked the beginning of structured training for student peer supporters and University healthcare personnel, who are expected to play an important role in advancing health awareness and supporting self-care initiatives across the University's campuses.

The engagements form part of the Ministry of Health's efforts to institutionalise self-care interventions across Uganda, with the broader objective of improving population health and wellbeing while advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

In a letter dated 6 October 2026 and addressed to the Vice Chancellor of Busitema University, the Director General of Health Services, Prof. Charles Olaro, outlined the Ministry's intention to collaborate with the University and its student leadership in promoting self-testing, self-management and greater awareness of self-care practices.

Particular attention is being given to sexual and reproductive health among young people, with the Ministry seeking to address what it describes as the triple threat of HIV, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and unintended pregnancy among university students. The initiative seeks to improve awareness of these challenges while equipping students with information to make informed decisions about their health and access appropriate support services.

The programme is being undertaken as part of the Ministry of Health's self-care efforts in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO). It seeks to strengthen the ability of individuals to participate in managing their health while ensuring that appropriate information, guidance and professional healthcare support remain accessible.

University-based health professionals, including nurses, midwives and clinicians, will participate in structured training on self-care and client support. The training is intended to strengthen their capacity to provide integrated, quality self-care services and respond to the health needs of students and other members of the University community.

Student participation is another important component of the programme. The Ministry requested the University to mobilise 20 student peer supporters at each campus to undergo training alongside healthcare personnel. These volunteers are expected to support health awareness activities and share the knowledge gained with fellow students through peer education and other campus-based engagements.

The Students' Guild has welcomed the initiative and expressed appreciation to University management for supporting student-led efforts to advance self-care and mental health awareness. In an update on the commencement of the training, student leadership expressed optimism that the knowledge gained would help participants make a meaningful contribution to the wellbeing of students and the wider University community.

Another area of focus is improving campus-based healthcare delivery channels through student outreach programmes, health days and peer education platforms. The Ministry intends to strengthen these existing structures to make health information and support services more accessible while encouraging greater participation in self-care practices.

According to the programme schedule, activities at Busitema Main Campus will take place on 19 and 20 October, followed by Nagongera Campus on 20 and 21 October. A joint engagement for Kabwangasi and Mbale campuses will be hosted at Mbale Campus on 21 and 22 October, while Pallisa Campus will host the final sessions on 22 and 23 October 2026.

Each campus engagement includes a meeting scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, bringing together University leadership, the University Medical Officer, health facility in-charges, faculty representatives, student leaders and selected peer supporters. The meetings are followed by afternoon training sessions from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., with training continuing the following day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Through these engagements, the Ministry of Health seeks to strengthen collaboration with Busitema University in addressing health challenges affecting young people while building the capacity of campus healthcare providers and student peer supporters to promote self-care and wellbeing.

The programme is scheduled to conclude on Friday, 23 October 2026, with the training expected to provide a foundation for continued health awareness activities, peer education and improved access to self-care support services across the University's campuses.