Bishop Callist Rubaramira, Apostolic Administrator of Kabale Diocese has urged administrators of healthcare institutions to strengthen training in geriatric nursing to help prevent avoidable deaths among elderly people. The Bishop made the appeal on Friday, 7 August 2026, while presiding over the fifth graduation ceremony of Karoli Lwanga Institute of Health Sciences Nyakibale in Rukungiri District, where 532 students completed their studies.
Bishop Rubaramira attributed some premature deaths among elderly people to a shortage of healthcare workers trained in geriatric care. He said specialized geriatric nurses are needed to provide essential services, including massage, medical guidance, screening and timely referral of patients.
The Bishop particularly commended Karoli Lwanga Institute of Health Sciences for introducing a geriatric nursing course and called for its expansion to train more specialized healthcare providers to meet the needs of the growing elderly population.
He also congratulated the institute’s Principal, Sr. Birungi Florence, and her team on the institution’s transition from a school of Nursing and Midwifery to a Health Sciences Institute. He encouraged the governing council to introduce additional health-related programs, including degree courses.
Of the 532 candidates, 89 graduated in Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery (extension), 179 graduated in Certificate in Nursing, 194 graduates with Certificate in Midwifery, 29 graduated with Certificate in Pharmacy, 12 graduated with Certificate in Theatre Techniques while 10 graduated with Certificate in Geriatric Nursing (pioneer students).
Bishop Rubaramira encouraged certificate graduates to pursue diploma and, eventually, degree-level studies to further strengthen their professional competence and service to patients.
‘Every role is vital’
While delivering the homily during Mass, Bishop Rubaramira called for cooperation and teamwork among healthcare workers and other staff serving at Karoli Lwanga Hospital and the Institute of Health Sciences.
Reflecting on the teaching of St Paul, he reminded the graduates and staff that every form of work contributes to the common mission.
“The gate man, the cleaner, the tutor, the nurse or doctor are all equally important for the good of Karoli Lwanga Institute and Hospital,” the Bishop said, stressing that no one working in the institutions should consider his or her role insignificant.
He expressed appreciation to healthcare workers and all employees of the institute for the services they provide to patients and students.
Institute marks 55 years of service
Sr. Birungi Florence, Principal of Karoli Lwanga Institute of Health Sciences, thanked God for the institute’s achievements and welcomed the opportunity to celebrate its fifth graduation ceremony.
She thanked Bishop Rubaramira for presiding over the ceremony and congratulated the graduates on completing their studies. She also expressed gratitude to parents for choosing the institute and supporting their children throughout their education.
The Principal said the 532 graduates had successfully completed their studies over the past three years, from 2023 to 2025, in different programs.
She recalled that the institute was founded in 1971 by the Franciscan Sisters of Breda from the Netherlands as a School of Nursing and Midwifery, with just 12 student nurses. Fifty-five years later, the institution has an enrolment of 562 students.
Among the achievements recorded over the years, Sr. Birungi highlighted the completion of accreditation processes, acquisition of an administrative double-cabin vehicle, installation of a closed-circuit television system, construction of sports grounds for students, strengthened collaboration with Karoli Lwanga Hospital and construction of a grotto dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Despite these achievements, she said the institute continues to face challenges, including tutor turnover and inadequate infrastructure, particularly lecture halls and accommodation.
She appealed to stakeholders to support the institute in addressing these challenges.
Among its future plans, the institute intends to improve its infrastructure, including the construction of a four-storey block, introduce additional diploma programmes and eventually transform into a College of Health Sciences capable of awarding its own diplomas and certificates.
‘Called to love and serve’
Addressing the graduates, Sr. Birungi reminded them that the institute had equipped them with the knowledge and skills needed to serve in an increasingly competitive global healthcare environment.
“Go and become our ambassadors, bearing in mind that you are called to love and serve,” she said.
Dr. Lema Felix Adriko, Chief Executive Officer of Nyakibale Hospital, congratulated the institute on its transition to a Health Sciences Institute and highlighted the longstanding cooperation between the hospital and the training institution.
He noted that students receive both classroom instruction and practical experience at the hospital, including learning at the bedside of patients.
“You did not learn from textbooks alone, but also at the bedside of patients. You have kept our hospital running. Now you go into the field. May God bless the work of your hands,” Dr. Lema told the graduates.
He urged them to maintain professional discipline, embrace teamwork and uphold the standards of Nyakibale Hospital wherever they serve. He encouraged them to ensure that patients recognize a difference in the quality of care they provide and, above all, to entrust their work to God.
Graduates urged to keep learning
The Chairman of the Board of Governors, Fr. Dr. Deusdedit Musinguzi, encouraged the graduates to apply what they had learned as they enter the professional world.
He reminded them that the healthcare sector is constantly changing and urged them not to settle for the bare minimum but to continue seeking professional growth.
“Ensure that you are up-to-date through upgrading, enriching your knowledge and skills through all your interactions. This is the surest way that will ensure your efficiency in healing the sick and transforming lives,” Fr. Musinguzi said.
He congratulated the Principal, her team and the Board of Governors on the milestone and invited them to look to the future with hope and renewed commitment.
“On this fifth graduation day, may we look back with gratitude, consider the present with satisfaction and look to the future with hope, and let us recommit ourselves to make today better than yesterday through dedicated service,” he said.
Graduates, including Judith Tukamushaba, Christine Arindwamukama and Nicholas, expressed gratitude to God for enabling them to complete their studies. They said they were ready to join the workforce and make a difference, guided by their profession’s motto: “Called to love and serve.”
New facilities opened
During the ceremony, Bishop Rubaramira also opened a new Medical Ward Complex built in memory of the Franciscan Sisters of Breda, the founders of the institute. The complex houses male and female medical wards as well as a pediatric ward.
The Bishop also opened a Laboratory Complex Block and a Grotto dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The developments mark another step in the efforts oto strengthen healthcare services and the formation of healthcare professionals at Karoli Lwanga Hospital and Karoli Lwanga Institute of Health Sciences Nyakibale.
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Congratulations, it was a great occasion and marked the remarkable progress of the institutional set and service delivery.