Celebrating 100 Years of Makerere University College of Health Sciences: A Century of Impact, Excellence, and Legacy
This year marks a monumental milestone for the College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, fondly remembered by many of us as the Makerere Medical School. One hundred years! A full century since its establishment as a center of excellence for training health professionals who have shaped the face of medicine and public health across Uganda, Africa, and the world.
Let’s be honest, a hundred years of consistent excellence is no small count. From its humble beginnings in 1924, this institution has evolved into a regional and global leader in health professions education, biomedical research, and community impact. The Medical School has been, and remains, the heartbeat of health sciences training in the region. Its alumni can be found in every corner of the globe, in hospitals, laboratories, classrooms, ministries, and even on global health stages, all carrying with them the indelible mark of Makerere.
For those of us privileged to walk those corridors, Makerere Medical School was far more than just a place of learning. It was an experience; intense, transformative, and unforgettable. The lecture halls that tested our endurance, the laboratories that sharpened our precision, the Albert Cook Library that fed our curiosity, and the wards that shaped our compassion, all left permanent prints on our hearts and minds.
We lived every moment of the Medical School. We laughed, we struggled, we questioned our sanity during exam seasons, but we emerged stronger, wiser, and deeply bonded by a shared pursuit: service to humanity through the art and science of healing. Those memories are priceless, and this centennial is our moment to relive them.
As the College rolls out activities to commemorate this remarkable 100-year journey, from this week through the end of the year, I call upon all alumni to reconnect, reflect, and celebrate. Participate where you can. Attend the events. Share your stories. Let us remind ourselves that we are part of something truly historic.
Personally, I look forward to taking part in the Centennial Run on Sunday, October 26th, a symbolic stride through time that honors the footsteps of those who trained, taught, and healed before us. I also plan to share a few reflective pieces down memory lane; those small but unforgettable experiences that made medical school not just a training ground, but a defining chapter of life itself.
To the College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, congratulations on a century of excellence, integrity, and service! You have trained generations who continue to uphold the spirit of “We Build for the Future.” Here’s to the next hundred years of innovation, inspiration, and impact.
Happy Centennial, MakCHS— our pride.