In a vibrant and heartfelt ceremony held in Gulu City on Friday, 579 students graduated from St. Mary’s Lacor Hospital Health Training Institute, marking a major milestone in their journey to serve Uganda’s health sector.
Presiding over the Institute’s 6th graduation ceremony was Prof. George L. Openjuru, Vice Chancellor of Gulu University. He praised the longstanding collaboration between Gulu University and Lacor Hospital, calling it a cornerstone of progress in healthcare education and service delivery in Northern Uganda.
“I am truly grateful for the cordial, mutual, and strong relationship between Gulu University and Lacor Hospital. This partnership is vital in advancing healthcare education and services in Northern Uganda and beyond,” said Prof. Openjuru.
He encouraged the new graduates to embrace lifelong learning and hinted at exciting opportunities ahead, including Bachelor’s degree programs in Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Laboratory Sciences—programs Gulu University is committed to supporting in partnership with Lacor Hospital.
A Call to Compassionate Service
In a moving homily, Rev. Fr. Martin Agwee, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Gulu, urged the graduates to carry empathy, love, and compassion into their professional lives.
“A health worker without love and kindness can become a burden to an already vulnerable community,” he said, highlighting the ongoing health challenges in Northern Uganda, including depression, malnutrition, cancer, TB, and HIV/AIDS.
A Word from the Principal
Mrs. Betty Justine Anyiri, the Principal of the Institute, reminded graduates that academic achievements should not be used merely as stepping stones for titles or wealth.
“Uphold discipline, empathy, critical thinking, and integrity,” she advised, reinforcing the values at the heart of healthcare.
Graduation Statistics at a Glance
The ceremony recognized students who completed their training between December 2022 and September 2025. Among the 579 graduates were 374 women and 205 men, trained across a range of vital medical disciplines:
- Diploma in Nursing: 65
- Diploma in Midwifery: 30 (female only)
- Certificate in Nursing: 212
- Certificate in Midwifery: 141 (female only)
- Certificate in Medical Theatre Techniques: 42
- Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology: 25
- Certificate in Medical Laboratory Techniques: 64
The event also took a moment to pay tribute to a graduate who sadly passed away shortly after completing her course—a solemn reminder of the fragility of life and the selflessness required in the medical profession.
Closing Thoughts
This graduation wasn’t just a celebration of academic achievement; it was a reaffirmation of commitment to community, compassion, and the future of healthcare in Uganda. As the graduates step into the field, they carry with them not only technical skills but also the hopes of a region in need of healing hands and caring hearts.
