Najjuuko Justine Mukisa, sister of Henry Ssuubi Kiyimba, was one of three girls recently supported by the Bravo Shoes Community Support Organization (BSC) to promote the empowerment of girls through skills development and education.
Najjuuko, along with Juliet Namanda from Mpigi and Grace Tushemereirwe from Rubirizi District, was excited to join the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery in Apac District, Northern Uganda.
As a nursing student, Najjuuko is breaking stereotypes and contributing to her family’s legacy. The three girls have committed to extending similar opportunities to others as they pursue their careers as professional health workers in the country.
During Henry Ssuubi Kiyimba’s recent graduation, Brian Yesigye Bravo, the Executive Director of BSC, announced that Najjuuko would join a nursing school after completing her studies at Kalagala High School.
“Where has Justine come, She has been chosen and will join a nursing school in Apac soon,” said Bravo in the middle of his speech at the graduation ceremony in Kiswa Village, Kammengo, Mpigi district.
The three girls were delighted by the opportunity and vowed to carry forward the same spirit to help others in the future. Namanda expressed her gratitude to Bravo Shoes Community Support for selecting her among many deserving students and pledged to make the most of the opportunity. “I promise to stay focused and achieve the best results,” she said.
Odela Filda Monica, the principal of Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery, shared that the school offers training for all levels of nursing, including certificate and diploma programs. Founded in 2008, the school has seen an increasing number of students each year and has consistently performed well in examinations, earning the highest marks recently.
“We are proud of our achievements and grateful for the new students joining us. We encourage continued support in bringing more students, as we are committed to training nurses to ensure Uganda has a sufficient number of qualified healthcare professionals,” she said.
The school has admitted over 400 students as it continues to expand its programs and facilities.
Ekel Martin, one of the directors of the school, shared that the institution was established to empower the local community by making education affordable for parents affected by the war. He explained that the school’s management chose to focus on the Apac District because there were not enough nursing schools in the area.
“We decided to open the school to serve the community, and as businesspeople, we also considered the financial aspect. The income from tuition helps us sustain our families,” he said
Ekel noted that the school has occasionally provided bursaries as a way to give back to society.
“The community has supported us in rebuilding this area, and I want to thank our staff, especially the principal, for fostering team spirit. We are all working towards the future of this place, which is vital to our livelihood. I also appreciate the students, who have shown remarkable discipline; we’ve never experienced any strikes here,” he added.
More than 80% of nurses and midwives in Uganda are women, many of whom face extraordinary challenges that can hinder their ability to perform their jobs effectively.
Ten years ago, the government decided to lower the entry requirements for female students entering the nursing profession to increase their numbers. Female enrollment had declined due to the high entry thresholds previously required.