Uganda has one of the largest networks of nursing and midwifery training schools in East Africa, from long-established hospital-based schools in Kampala to comprehensive nursing schools in every region and university departments offering degrees. Nurses and midwives are central to Uganda’s health system, delivering most frontline care in hospitals, health centres and communities.
But with so many institutions, choosing the right one can be confusing. This 2027 guide explains who regulates nursing education in Uganda, the main study routes, well-known schools of nursing and midwifery by region, the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board (UNMEB) examinations, registration with the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council (UNMC), entry requirements, costs, and how to make sure a school is genuine before you pay.
Imagine you have just finished your Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education and want to become a midwife, like the aunt who delivered half the babies in your village. You hear about schools in Kampala, Mbarara, Gulu and Arua, each with different fees and courses. A friend recommends a new private school that promises to admit students with lower grades. Before you decide, you need to know which schools are recognised, which programmes lead to registration, and what life after graduation looks like.
Who regulates nursing education in Uganda?
Several bodies share responsibility for nursing and midwifery training in Uganda:
- The Ministry of Education and Sports, through its Health Education and Training (HET) department, oversees health training institutions and publishes lists of licensed health training institutions. Its July 2025 list included more than 200 health training institutions, more than half of them schools of nursing and midwifery.
- The Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board (UNMEB) conducts national examinations for certificate and diploma nursing and midwifery programmes at health training institutions.
- The Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council (UNMC) regulates the profession under the Nurses and Midwives Act, registering and licensing nurses and midwives, setting standards and handling professional conduct.
- The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) accredits universities and their degree programmes, including Bachelor of Nursing Science and midwifery degrees.
For certificate and diploma courses, check that the school is licensed by the Ministry of Education and Sports and that its students sit UNMEB examinations. For degree courses, check that the university and programme are accredited by NCHE. In all cases, the qualification must lead to registration with UNMC.
Study routes in Uganda
Certificate in Nursing or Midwifery
Certificate programmes, typically lasting around two and a half to three years, train enrolled nurses and enrolled midwives. They are offered by many schools of nursing and midwifery across the country, with students sitting UNMEB examinations.
Diploma in Nursing or Midwifery
Diploma programmes train registered nurses and registered midwives. They are offered both as direct-entry programmes and as extension programmes for certificate holders who want to upgrade. Comprehensive nursing programmes combine general nursing with elements of midwifery and mental health.
Bachelor’s degrees
Universities offer Bachelor of Nursing Science and Bachelor of Midwifery Science programmes, both as direct entry and as completion programmes for diploma holders. Degree holders are well placed for leadership, teaching, research and some international opportunities. In 2025, Aga Khan University announced a direct-entry nursing degree in Uganda, adding to existing university options.
Postgraduate study
Master’s programmes in nursing and midwifery are available at several universities for those interested in advanced practice, education and leadership.
Well-known schools of nursing and midwifery by region
The following are examples of established schools that appear on the Ministry of Education and Sports list of health training institutions. This is not a ranking or a complete list, and status can change, so always confirm current licensing before you apply.
Central region (Kampala and surroundings)
- Mulago School of Nursing and Midwifery.
- Mengo Hospital School of Nursing and Midwifery.
- Lubaga School of Nursing and Midwifery.
- St Francis Hospital Nsambya School of Nursing and Midwifery.
- Masaka School of Comprehensive Nursing and St Joseph’s Nursing and Midwifery School, Kitovu (Masaka area).
Western region
- Kabale School of Comprehensive Nursing and Rugarama School of Nursing (Kabale).
- Schools in Mbarara, including nursing programmes linked to Bishop Stuart University.
- Virika School of Nursing and Midwifery and Mountains of the Moon University nursing department (Fort Portal).
- Kagando School of Nursing and Midwifery (Kasese).
- St Francis Mutolere School of Nursing (Kisoro).
Northern region
- Gulu School of Nursing.
- St Mary’s Lacor School of Nursing and Midwifery (Gulu).
West Nile
- Arua School of Comprehensive Nursing.
- Kuluva School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Eastern region
- Jinja School of Nursing and Midwifery.
- Soroti School of Comprehensive Nursing.
Universities offering nursing degrees
Universities with nursing or midwifery degree programmes include Makerere University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Gulu University, Busitema University, Kabale University, Uganda Christian University, Bishop Stuart University, Mountains of the Moon University, Aga Khan University and others. Confirm each programme’s NCHE accreditation before applying.
How to verify a nursing school in Uganda
- Check the Ministry of Education and Sports list of licensed health training institutions, published by the Health Education and Training department.
- Confirm the school registers students for UNMEB examinations for the programme you want.
- For degree programmes, check NCHE accreditation of the university and the specific programme.
- Ask the school for its licence and evidence of programme approval, and visit the campus.
- Speak to recent graduates about their examination results and registration with UNMC.
- Contact UNMEB or UNMC if you have any doubts.
Uganda’s education authorities have repeatedly urged training institutions to improve facilities such as skills laboratories, and have taken action against schools that fall short of standards. Visiting a school and seeing its facilities for yourself is worthwhile.
Red flags
- The school does not appear on the Ministry’s list of licensed health training institutions.
- It cannot confirm that its students sit UNMEB examinations.
- Entry requirements far below national minimums.
- Promises of guaranteed passes or jobs abroad.
- No skills laboratory or meaningful clinical placements.
- Students being prevented from sitting examinations over fees or administrative disputes.
UNMEB examinations
UNMEB sets and administers national examinations for certificate and diploma nursing and midwifery programmes, including theory papers and practical assessments. Students are registered for examinations through their schools. Results are released by UNMEB, and candidates can access information through UNMEB’s official portal and their schools. Prepare early, practise past papers and clinical procedures, and make sure your registration details are correct. Avoid anyone offering leaked papers or results for money.
Registration with UNMC
After passing UNMEB examinations or completing a degree, graduates must register with the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council before practising. Licences must be renewed periodically. Our UNMC registration, UNMEB exams and licence renewal guide explains requirements, renewal and fees in detail.
In 2026, Uganda’s government announced changes to internship requirements for some health training graduates, so check the latest arrangements with UNMC and the Ministry of Health for your programme.
Entry requirements for 2027
Requirements vary by programme and institution and are updated from time to time. Generally:
- Certificate programmes: Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with passes in relevant subjects, typically including English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Mathematics.
- Diploma programmes (direct entry): UCE plus Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) with relevant science subjects.
- Diploma extension programmes: a certificate in nursing or midwifery and registration with UNMC, often with work experience.
- Degree programmes: UACE with required science subjects and points for direct entry, or a diploma and registration for completion programmes.
Government sponsorship is available for some programmes through the national selection process, and many students are privately sponsored.
Costs
Fees vary between government, private and private not-for-profit (faith-based) schools. When budgeting, include tuition, functional fees, accommodation, uniforms, books, UNMEB examination fees, UNMC registration fees and transport to clinical placements. Faith-based hospital schools often have strong reputations for clinical training. Ask schools about bursaries, payment plans and any bonding arrangements.
How to choose
- Examination performance: ask about UNMEB pass rates in recent years.
- Clinical training: schools attached to busy hospitals usually offer more hands-on experience.
- Facilities: skills labs, libraries, internet and accommodation.
- Tutors: number and qualifications of nurse and midwife educators.
- Cost and location.
- Your goals: certificate, diploma or degree, and whether you plan to upgrade later.
Questions to ask before you pay fees
A school’s name on an official list is essential, but you also want quality training. Before you commit, ask:
- Is this specific programme accredited? A school may be licensed for certificate courses but not for a diploma or degree.
- Are students registered for UNMEB examinations from this school? If the institution cannot present candidates to the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board, its students cannot sit the national exams.
- Where are clinical placements? Ask which hospitals and health centres students use and how often.
- What are recent exam results? Strong schools are open about their students’ performance.
- What facilities are available? Look for skills laboratories, a library, internet access and safe hostels.
- What are the full costs? Request a written breakdown, including examination, registration, uniform and placement fees.
- How are students supported? Ask about mentoring, counselling, remedial classes and help with internships.
Clinical placements and student life
Nursing and midwifery training in Uganda includes substantial practice in hospitals, health centres and communities. Students gain experience in medical and surgical wards, maternity units, paediatrics, mental health and community health. Placements can be demanding, sometimes involving long journeys, night duty and busy wards with limited supplies. They are also where you build confidence and learn from experienced nurses and midwives.
To make the most of placements:
- Keep your procedure book complete and signed.
- Ask questions and volunteer for supervised procedures.
- Learn from midwives and nurses who handle emergencies calmly.
- Treat every patient with respect, privacy and dignity.
- Look after your own health and safety, including infection prevention.
Funding your studies
Options for financing nursing education in Uganda include:
- Higher Education Students’ Financing Board (HESFB): offers loans to eligible students on approved diploma and degree programmes, with health sciences among the priority areas. Check application windows and eligibility on the board’s official website.
- Government sponsorship: a limited number of government-sponsored places exist at public universities and some public health training institutions.
- District and community scholarships: some local governments, religious organisations and NGOs sponsor students, particularly from underserved areas, sometimes in exchange for working in the district after qualifying.
- Family and part-time work: many students combine support from family with work during holidays.
Be cautious of anyone offering “guaranteed” scholarships for a fee. Real scholarships do not require you to pay to apply.
Specialising after qualification
After gaining experience, many Ugandan nurses and midwives upgrade their qualifications or specialise. Options include:
- Upgrading from certificate to diploma, and from diploma to bachelor’s degree.
- Specialist training in areas such as critical care, anaesthesia (for some cadres), paediatrics, mental health, and public health.
- Master’s degrees in nursing, midwifery and public health at universities such as Makerere, Mbarara, Aga Khan and others.
- Leadership, education and research roles.
Working in Uganda after registration
Once you pass the UNMEB examinations and register with the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council (UNMC), employment opportunities include:
- Public service: district local governments, regional referral hospitals and national referral hospitals, often recruiting through the Health Service Commission or district service commissions.
- Private not-for-profit facilities: including hospitals affiliated with faith-based medical bureaus.
- Private hospitals and clinics.
- Non-governmental organisations and research projects.
Keep your practising licence renewed, collect continuing professional development evidence, and watch official recruitment announcements. Never pay anyone to secure a job.
Thinking about working abroad?
Ugandan nurses and midwives work in many countries. If you plan to work abroad later:
- Choose an accredited programme and keep all transcripts and certificates.
- Gain at least one or two years of post-registration experience.
- Prepare for English tests such as IELTS or OET where required.
- Understand ethical recruitment rules. Some countries restrict active recruitment from countries on the World Health Organization’s health workforce support and safeguards list, so check how this applies to Uganda and to the agency you use.
See our guide to the best countries to work as a nurse.
Common myths
- “All schools advertised on radio are accredited.” Not true. Verify every school.
- “Private schools are not recognised.” Accredited private schools present students for the same national examinations.
- “You cannot progress from a certificate.” Upgrade pathways exist, though requirements apply.
- “Registration happens automatically after the exam.” You must apply to UNMC to be registered and licensed.
Doing well in UNMEB examinations
The Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board sets national theory and practical examinations for certificate and diploma programmes. Students who perform well tend to share some habits:
- They keep up with course work every semester instead of cramming before exams.
- They practise procedures repeatedly in the skills laboratory until each step is automatic.
- They study in small groups and explain topics to each other.
- They give extra attention to areas where mistakes are dangerous, such as drug calculations, maternal and newborn emergencies and infection prevention.
- They follow official UNMEB communication on timetables, registration and results.
If you need to resit a paper, use your results to focus on weaker areas and ask your tutors for targeted help.
A note for parents and sponsors
Many parents and guardians make big sacrifices to pay for nursing and midwifery training. Before paying fees, visit the school, speak to current students and check accreditation yourself. A school with good placements and experienced tutors may cost more, but it gives a far better chance of passing national examinations and finding work. Avoid institutions that pressure you to pay quickly or that cannot show official documents. During the course, encouragement and practical support, such as quiet study time and help with transport for placements, can make a real difference.
Uganda’s nursing workforce in context
Uganda’s health system relies heavily on nurses and midwives, particularly in health centres and rural districts, where they are often the main health workers available. Demand is especially high for midwives, mental health nurses and nurses with critical care skills. For students, this means meaningful work and a chance to make a direct difference to communities. Choosing an accredited school is the first step towards a career that serves both your ambitions and your country’s health needs.
Your 2027 enrolment checklist
- Confirm your UCE or UACE results meet the entry requirements for your chosen programme.
- Check that the school and the specific programme are accredited and that students are presented for UNMEB examinations.
- Visit the campus and speak to current students.
- Request a written breakdown of all fees and pay only into official accounts.
- Apply early for HESFB loans, district scholarships or sponsorship.
- Keep copies of your admission letter, receipts and registration documents.
- Plan for placements, including transport and accommodation costs.
Certificate, diploma or degree: which should you choose?
Your choice of programme shapes your early career. A certificate is the quickest and most affordable route into practice and suits students who want to start working sooner, often in health centres and community settings. A diploma takes longer but leads to broader responsibilities, more opportunities for promotion and easier progression to further study. A bachelor’s degree takes the longest and costs the most, but it opens doors to leadership, teaching, research and international registration, where many regulators prefer degree-level education.
Think about your finances, your entry grades, how soon you need to earn, and where you want to be in ten years. Many successful nurses and midwives start with a certificate or diploma, work for several years, and then upgrade while earning. There is no single right answer, only the route that fits your circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
How many nursing schools are there in Uganda?
The Ministry of Education and Sports’ July 2025 list of health training institutions included more than 200 institutions, of which more than half were schools of nursing and midwifery. Numbers change as schools are licensed, merged or closed.
Which is the oldest nursing school in Uganda?
Mengo Hospital School of Nursing and Midwifery and Mulago School of Nursing and Midwifery are among the oldest and best-known nursing schools in Uganda, both in Kampala.
Can I upgrade from a certificate to a diploma?
Yes. Many schools offer diploma extension programmes for registered certificate holders. Degree completion programmes are also available for diploma holders.
Who conducts nursing examinations in Uganda?
UNMEB conducts national examinations for certificate and diploma programmes. Universities examine their own degree students.
Do I need to register with UNMC after my exams?
Yes. You must register with the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council before practising as a nurse or midwife.
But what if I cannot afford the schools I want?
Consider government-sponsored places, faith-based schools with lower fees, bursaries from local governments, churches and non-governmental organisations, and starting with a certificate programme closer to home before upgrading later while working. Never choose an unlicensed school just because it is cheaper: a qualification that does not lead to registration is the most expensive choice of all.
Your next step: Shortlist three schools for 2027, confirm each is on the Ministry of Education and Sports list of licensed health training institutions (or NCHE-accredited for degrees), and ask each for its recent UNMEB pass rate before you apply.
Related: UNMC registration and UNMEB exams guide · How to choose a nursing school
Sources: Ministry of Education and Sports, Uganda (List of Health Training Institutions, July 2025; Health Education and Training department), Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board, Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council, National Council for Higher Education, Aga Khan University. Status changes; always confirm with the relevant authority.
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