20 Best Private Nursing and Midwifery Training Institutions in Uganda

Uganda is home to well over a hundred registered private nursing and midwifery training institutions, ranging from century-old mission hospital schools to modern university-affiliated colleges. Choosing where to train matters, it shapes your clinical exposure, your professional network, and how smoothly you register with the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council (UNMC) after graduation.

This guide profiles 20 best private nursing and midwifery training institutions in Uganda, covering their background, typical programmes, and standard duration, so you can compare your options with confidence.

Table of Contents

1. Overview of Uganda’s Nursing Training Structure
2. The 20 Best Private Nursing and Midwifery Training Institutions in Uganda
   • 1. Mengo School of Nursing and Midwifery — Kampala
   • 2. Nsambya School of Nursing and Midwifery — Kampala
   • 3. Rubaga School of Nursing and Midwifery — Kampala
   • 4. Lacor School of Nursing — Gulu City
   • 5. Kuluva School of Nursing — Arua City
   • 6. Kagando School of Nursing and Midwifery — Kasese District
   • 7. Kampala International University (Western Campus) — Ishaka
   • 8. Kampala University — Kampala
   • 9. Kisiizi School of Nursing and Midwifery — Ibanda/Rukungiri Area
   • 10. Kiwoko School of Nursing — Luweero District
   • 11. Villa Maria School of Nursing — Kalungu District
   • 12. Virika School of Nursing — Kabarole District
   • 13. Mildmay Uganda School of Nursing and Midwifery — Wakiso District
   • 14. Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery — Kampala
   • 15. Islamic University in Uganda — Mbale District
   • 16. Bugema University School of Health Sciences — Luweero District
   • 17. Kibuli Muslim Hospital Health Training Schools — Kampala
   • 18. Ishaka Adventist School of Nursing — Ishaka District
   • 19. Nkumba University Institute of Nursing and Midwifery — Wakiso District
   • 20. Mityana Institute of Nursing and Midwifery — Mityana District
3. How to Verify a School Before You Apply
4. Nursing Education in Uganda: The Bigger Picture
5. Nurses’ Salary in Uganda
6. Nurses’ Responsibilities in Uganda
7. FAQs About Private Nursing and Midwifery Training in Uganda
8. Conclusion

Overview of Uganda’s Nursing Training Structure

Before comparing individual schools, it helps to understand the national framework nearly all of them operate within, regulated by UNMC and assessed by the Uganda Health Professions Assessment Board (UHPAB, formerly UNMEB):

• Certificate in Nursing or Midwifery — 2 years, leading to Enrolled Nurse/Midwife status, typically open to O-Level (UCE) candidates with science passes.
• Diploma in Nursing or Midwifery Sciences — 3 years, leading to Registered Nurse/Midwife status, typically open to A-Level (UACE) candidates with a principal pass in Biology.
• Diploma (Upgrading/Extension) — around 1.5 years, for already-certified nurses or midwives with at least two years of practice seeking to upgrade to Diploma level.
• Bachelor of Nursing Science — 4 years, run by universities rather than standalone nursing schools.

Individual institutions may not run every level, so always confirm current offerings directly with the school.

The 20 Best Private Nursing and Midwifery Training Institutions in Uganda

1. Mengo School of Nursing and Midwifery — Kampala

Founded in 1919 by Catherine Cook, wife of Mengo Hospital founder Dr. Albert Cook, this is the oldest nursing and midwifery school in Uganda and East Africa. It runs Certificate and Diploma programmes in Nursing and Midwifery (2 and 3 years respectively), plus an upgrading Diploma route (around 1.5 years) for already-certified nurses.

2. Nsambya School of Nursing and Midwifery — Kampala

Based at St. Francis Hospital Nsambya, one of Kampala’s oldest Catholic mission hospitals, this school is among the city’s most respected faith-based nurse-training institutions, offering UNMC-accredited Certificate and Diploma programmes in Nursing and Midwifery.

3. Rubaga School of Nursing and Midwifery — Kampala

Attached to Rubaga Hospital, a long-established Catholic mission hospital in Kampala, this school trains nurses and midwives through the standard Certificate and Diploma pathway, with clinical placement at Rubaga Hospital itself.

4. Lacor School of Nursing — Gulu City

Founded in 1973 at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor, established by the Comboni Missionaries under the Catholic Archdiocese of Gulu, Lacor is one of Northern Uganda’s most respected training centres — the hospital gained international recognition for its response to the 2000 Ebola outbreak, led by the late Dr. Matthew Lukwiya. The school runs Certificate and Diploma programmes in Nursing and Midwifery.

5. Kuluva School of Nursing — Arua City

Run at Kuluva Hospital, historically linked to the Africa Inland Church, this West Nile institution trains nurses through the standard Certificate and Diploma structure, serving a region with significant healthcare need.

6. Kagando School of Nursing and Midwifery — Kasese District

Based at Kagando Hospital under the Anglican Diocese of Kasese in the Rwenzori sub-region, this school offers Certificate and Diploma training in Nursing and Midwifery, with clinical placement at Kagando Hospital.

7. Kampala International University (Western Campus) — Ishaka

KIU’s Western Campus in Ishaka runs nursing programmes up to degree level, offering a pathway from Diploma through to Bachelor of Nursing Science for students seeking university-level qualifications alongside standard clinical registration routes.

8. Kampala University — Kampala

A private university offering nursing and midwifery training with both diploma and degree-level pathways, drawing students from across and beyond Uganda.

9. Kisiizi School of Nursing and Midwifery — Ibanda/Rukungiri Area

Attached to Kisiizi Hospital, a Church of Uganda facility known nationally for its hydroelectric power plant built beside the Kisiizi Falls, this school trains nurses and midwives through the standard Certificate and Diploma routes.

10. Kiwoko School of Nursing — Luweero District

Based at Kiwoko Hospital, a Church of Uganda mission hospital, this school offers Certificate and Diploma training in Nursing and Midwifery to students in the central region.

11. Villa Maria School of Nursing — Kalungu District

Located at Villa Maria Hospital, one of the older Catholic mission hospitals in the Masaka sub-region, this school trains nurses and midwives through the standard national Certificate and Diploma structure.

12. Virika School of Nursing — Kabarole District

Attached to Virika Hospital in Fort Portal, a Catholic mission hospital serving the Rwenzori region, this school offers Certificate and Diploma programmes in Nursing and Midwifery.

13. Mildmay Uganda School of Nursing and Midwifery — Wakiso District

Part of Mildmay Institute of Health Sciences, this institution offers Diploma in Nursing, including an extension/upgrading route for already-registered nurses with at least two years of practice, with a clear progression pathway toward a Degree in Nursing and beyond.

14. Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery — Kampala

Part of the internationally recognised Aga Khan University network, this Kampala-based school offers nursing and midwifery training aligned with international academic standards, alongside pathways into the wider Aga Khan Development Network’s health institutions.

15. Islamic University in Uganda — Mbale District

A university with a nursing training arm offering diploma and degree-level nursing programmes, serving students in Eastern Uganda and beyond.

16. Bugema University School of Health Sciences — Luweero District

A Seventh-day Adventist university offering nursing training from diploma through to degree level, combining clinical training with the university’s broader health sciences programmes.

17. Kibuli Muslim Hospital Health Training Schools — Kampala

Based at Kibuli Hospital, a long-established Muslim-founded hospital in Kampala, this institution trains nurses and midwives through the standard Certificate and Diploma pathway.

18. Ishaka Adventist School of Nursing — Ishaka District

A Seventh-day Adventist-affiliated institution offering Certificate and Diploma training in Nursing and Midwifery in the Bushenyi/Ishaka area of Western Uganda.

19. Nkumba University Institute of Nursing and Midwifery — Wakiso District

Nkumba University’s nursing institute offers diploma and degree-track training, giving students access to a broader university environment alongside their clinical nursing education.

20. Mityana Institute of Nursing and Midwifery — Mityana District

A private institution offering standard Certificate and Diploma programmes in Nursing and Midwifery, serving students in the Mityana area of Central Uganda.

READ ALSO: Best Nursing Schools in Uganda with full accreditation

How to Verify a School Before You Apply

Given how many private nursing schools operate in Uganda, due diligence matters. Before applying:

1. Confirm UNMC and UHPAB registration. Only graduates of properly accredited programmes can register as Enrolled or Registered Nurses/Midwives.
2. Ask about clinical placement. Strong schools are attached to functioning hospitals where you’ll get real ward experience, not just classroom instruction.
3. Check current entry requirements and fees directly with the school, since these can change between intakes.
4. Ask about pass rates on UHPAB’s national licensing examinations, where available.

Nursing Education in Uganda: The Bigger Picture

Nursing education in Uganda operates under a nationally regulated framework rather than being left entirely to individual schools. Two bodies matter most:

• The Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council (UNMC) — regulates registration and licensing, deciding who can legally practise as an Enrolled or Registered Nurse or Midwife.
• The Uganda Health Professions Assessment Board (UHPAB) — formed in 2025 through the merger of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board (UNMEB) and the Uganda Allied Health Examinations Board (UAHEB) — conducts standardised examinations and awards Certificates and Diplomas in Nursing and Midwifery.

Entry into nursing education generally follows two tracks: O-Level (UCE) leavers with science passes enter Certificate programmes, while A-Level (UACE) candidates with a principal pass in Biology enter Diploma programmes directly. Certificate holders can later upgrade to Diploma level after gaining clinical experience, and Diploma holders can progress into university Bachelor of Nursing Science programmes — a pathway increasingly supported by institutions like Kampala International University, Bugema University, Nkumba University, and the Islamic University in Uganda.

Nurses’ Salary in Uganda

Nurses’ pays in Uganda varies significantly depending on sector (government, private, or NGO/faith-based), qualification level, cadre, and years of experience, so any figure should be read as a general guide rather than a fixed number.

Government sector (public service salary scales): Based on published government pay scale data, a Nurse on Scale 5 with five or more years of experience has earned in the range of roughly UGX 360,000 to UGX 2,280,000 per month, while a Nurse Mentor (Scale 6) has earned between approximately UGX 1,400,000 and UGX 3,750,000 per month. More senior roles, such as Head Nurse (Scale 11), have reported monthly pay between roughly UGX 3,460,000 and UGX 5,080,000.

Broader market data (2026): Wage data covering the nursing profession as a whole puts typical monthly pay between about UGX 949,000 and UGX 3,380,000, with entry-level nurses generally earning between UGX 949,000 and UGX 2,460,000 per month, rising toward UGX 1,090,000–2,820,000 after five years of service.

Private hospitals in Kampala: Reported figures suggest Enrolled Nurses in Kampala often earn in the range of roughly UGX 600,000–840,000 per month, with Registered Nurses generally earning more, though private-sector pay varies widely by employer and can be considerably higher at well-resourced private or international hospitals.

Nurses’ Responsibilities in Uganda

Regardless of which private nursing school a nurse trains at, day-to-day responsibilities tend to follow a broadly similar pattern once qualified, shaped by both clinical duties and the realities of Uganda’s healthcare system:

• Direct patient care — administering medication, monitoring vital signs, wound care, and supporting patients through treatment and recovery.
• Maternal and child health — for midwives especially, providing antenatal care, supporting labour and delivery, and postnatal care for mother and baby up to 28 days after birth.
• Health education and promotion — planning and participating in health education programmes for patients, families, and communities, including prevention of ill-health and disease.
• Supervision and coordination — particularly for more senior nurses, supervising and coordinating the work of other nursing, health, and personal care workers.
• Documentation and reporting — maintaining accurate patient records, handovers, and statistics, a responsibility repeatedly emphasised across Uganda’s clinical training curricula.
• Research and quality improvement — for advanced practitioners, conducting or contributing to research on nursing practices and procedures, and sharing findings through reports or scientific papers.
• Working within a resource-constrained system — Uganda’s health system relies heavily on not-for-profit and mission-run facilities, meaning many nurses take on broader responsibilities than they might in more resource-rich settings, often stepping into public health and community outreach roles alongside clinical duties.

READ ALSO: Career Progression in Nursing

FAQs About Private Nursing and Midwifery Training in Uganda

1. How long does nursing training take in Uganda? A Certificate in Nursing or Midwifery typically takes 2 years, while a Diploma takes 3 years. An upgrading Diploma for already-certified nurses generally takes around 1.5 years, and a university Bachelor of Nursing Science takes about 4 years.

2. Which is the oldest nursing school in Uganda? Mengo School of Nursing and Midwifery in Kampala, founded in 1919, is recognised as the oldest nursing and midwifery school in both Uganda and East Africa.

3. Do private nursing schools in Uganda require A-Level qualifications? It depends on the programme. Certificate programmes typically accept O-Level (UCE) candidates with science passes, while Diploma programmes generally require A-Level (UACE) with a principal pass in Biology.

4. Which body regulates nursing training institutions in Uganda? The Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council (UNMC) regulates registration, while the Uganda Health Professions Assessment Board (UHPAB), formed from the merger of UNMEB and UAHEB, conducts examinations and awards certificates and diplomas.

5. Can I upgrade from a Certificate to a Diploma later? Yes. Many institutions, including Mengo and Mildmay, offer upgrading Diploma programmes for nurses who already hold a Certificate and have at least two years of clinical experience.

6. How much do nurses earn in Uganda? Pay varies widely by sector and experience. Government nurses on standard pay scales have earned roughly UGX 360,000–2,280,000 per month depending on scale and seniority, while broader market data for 2026 puts typical nursing pay between about UGX 949,000 and UGX 3,380,000 per month.

7. What are the main responsibilities of a nurse in Uganda? Core responsibilities include direct patient care, maternal and child health (for midwives), health education, supervising junior staff, maintaining patient records, and for many nurses in Uganda’s mission-run and rural facilities, broader public health and community outreach work.

Conclusion

best private nursing and midwifery training institutions in Uganda span more than a century of healthcare history, from Mengo’s pioneering 1919 midwifery classes to modern university-affiliated nursing degrees. Whether you’re drawn to a historic mission hospital school, a faith-based training center, or a university nursing programme, the fundamentals stay the same: confirm UNMC and UHPAB accreditation, understand the programme length and entry requirements, and choose a school with genuine clinical placement opportunities. The right training institution can shape not just your qualification, but the kind of nurse or midwife you become.