Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union

Mrs Janet Obuni

I am the President of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union. It was a challenge to form this Union. There were many forces against its formation. We as vision bearers have stood our ground until we got registered as a union with the Ministry of Labour. We have also secured partnership at international level and now we are working on many programmes which include; education of our members, production of educational materials and we are already planning to build our own union Headquarters.

Many years ago we were not allowed to join University to further our career as nurses. The reason was that nursing work is simple and practical and did not need a degree to perform it. We were never satisfied with such reasoning. We continued the struggle by lobbying through government until we were given a slot in Makerere University for a degree in Nursing. Now nurses can pursue a degree in Nursing at University level.

Ms Joyce Lucy Atim

I work as a nurse in Mbale Regional Referral Hospital and I have worked for 25 years now in various capacities as a medical personnel. I started working as an enrolled Midwife and later upgraded as a registered Nurse an now I hold a Bachelors Degree in nursing which I obtained in 2008 and in the same year I was promoted to senior nursing Officer and now area manager Pediatrics Department. Hard work and commitment pays.

My advise to fellow nurses is that never settle for less always aim higher and do your best in whatever you have been assigned to do.

Entebbe Hospital

Ms Irene Mpamulungi

I work here in Entebbe General Hospital as the Human Resources Manager. Entebbe General Hospital is a District Hospital. It was not an easy task coming up to the level where I am today. I first worked as a volunteer in this hospital for 2 years right from the time I left school. During the years of my voluntary work I did District interviews for the post of human resources Manager. I was the only woman among many men. People were very skeptical about a woman being a Personnel officer especially when competing with men who had worked in the same field for a long time. The male counterparts who sat the same interviews with me were later posted to other hospitals in the district but the Entebbe Human Resource post remained vacant for a long time. The hospital bosses thought they did not need a Human Resources Manager at that time and definitely not a woman for that matter. They needed a man in that position. However my work was exemplary and eventually they appointed me to take the post of Human Resource manager in February 2010. This is my seventh month in the post.

My advice to women is that; never worry about the negative criticism or comments people make about you. Those are their opinions. Stand on the right cause, be focused and do your best and you will see success roll onto your life.

Ms Kagoya Monica

I am a Theater Assistant in Entebbe General Hospital. I was trained as a Theatre Assistant at the National Referral Hospital Mulago.

My advice to young women is that commitment and hard work pays.