Building Bridges: A New Era for Medical Laboratory Students

On May 21, 2025, MUST hosted the Unified Medical Laboratory Students Association, an association that unites all institutions and schools of medical laboratory science in Uganda. The event was graced by Mr. Alfred  Oluk Alfred as the guest of honor, along with the entire board of trustees in attendance.

The association aims at achieving the following:

1. To bring all medical laboratory students’ associations in Uganda together to discuss and recommend measures that promote quality training and learning.
2. To unite all medical laboratory students in Uganda and link them to the outside world for better opportunities, experiences and professional development.
3. To narrow the gap in exposure to learning materials and skills acquaintance among different institutions.
4. To promote academic excellence, professionalism, and ethical conduct among Medical Laboratory Students.
5. To advocate for the welfare and rights of Medical Laboratory Students at all levels of education and training.
6. To nature laboratory students at lower levels of education and groom them into responsible and resourceful laboratory professionals at higher levels of education.
7. To engage in community outreach activities aimed at promoting health awareness and education.
8. To prepare the students for the available and dynamic job market.
9. To encourage and support publication of scientific research as shall best promote advancement of knowledge and productivity.
10. To provide students with opportunities to exercise and develop their leadership, research and innovation skills to prepare them for their future career responsibilities.

This started as an idea during the last year laboratory week that was hosted by MUBLTSA at Makerere University on 19th April 2024. The idea was carried on to the formation of the association as well as the Constitution drafting that was held at Lira Institute of Sciences and Management on 12^th to 14^th September 2024. This was followed by the promulgation and ratification of the drafted constitution at Makerere University on the 21^st and 22^nd February 2025 and on that day the 1st UMLSA U Independent Electoral Commission was Elected for, a date for the 1^st UMLSA U elections was suggested which was the 21^st March 2025 and an annual general meeting was to be held to discuss the best ways to address the challenges faced by students in the field. They also held elections in accordance with the constitution of the association.

The Electoral Commission that was voted for was as follows;

The elections were held at Mbarara University of Science and Technology on 21^st March 2025, and the results were as follows:

These members were sworn in by taking the oath of allegiance, promising to be loyal to the constitution and to serve to the best of their ability.

In his welcome remarks, the Head of the Department of Medical Laboratory at MUST Mr. Simon Rugera welcomed the guests and thanked them for enduring the long distances traveled. He expressed immense pleasure and pride that MUST was hosting the landmark inaugural election of the Unified Medical Laboratory Students Association of Uganda (UMLSA-U). He stated that they were standing at the cusp of a new era, where the collective energy and aspirations of future medical laboratory scientists were about to shape the landscape of their profession. He affirmed that MUST, as a leading institution in medical education, was deeply committed to fostering collaboration and empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals. He conveyed that they were honored to provide the platform for this pivotal moment, where the seeds of unity and progress were being sown. He concluded by expressing his hope that the gathering would be a testament to the power of collaboration, a celebration of their dedication, and a Launchpad for a future where medical laboratory science in Uganda would shine brightly.

They shared words of encouragement with the students and instilled hope for their profession.

In his keynote speech Mr. Gad Mbeera shared the brief history of the association the current situation and the future plans, he shared the aims as:

• Provide a platform for medical laboratory students to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices
• Ensure unity, cooperation and togetherness among all medical laboratory students in all institutions in Uganda and beyond.
• Promote collaboration and teamwork among students, educators, and professionals in the field
• Advocate for the interests, challenges and welfare of medical laboratory students

• Support the development of skills and competencies in medical laboratory science
• Encourage innovation, research and continuous learning among medical laboratory students.
• Foster partnerships with healthcare organizations, universities, and industry stakeholders

The guest of honor, Mr. Alfred Oluk, expressed immense admiration and a profound sense of hope as he addressed the students, referring to them as the young architects of Uganda’s future healthcare. He stated that witnessing the birth of the Unified Medical Laboratory Students Association of Uganda at Mbarara University of Science and Technology was truly inspiring. He emphasized that the students’ collective initiative, dedication to unity, and unwavering commitment to advancing medical laboratory science were a testament to the power of student leadership. He clarified that the students were not merely students but custodians of precision, guardians of diagnostic accuracy, and a vital link in the chain of healthcare delivery. He urged them to remember that their work would touch countless lives, their expertise would shape medical decisions, and their dedication would contribute to a healthier Uganda. He encouraged them to embrace challenges, celebrate triumphs, and always strive for excellence. He concluded by stating that the future of medical laboratory science in their nation rested in their capable hands and promised to address some of the challenges in the profession.