By Christine Mirembe
Uganda Christian University (UCU) has launched its 2025 Easter Semester Health Awareness Week, focusing on promoting healthy habits among students and staff. The event, which kicked off on March 2, 2025, is running under the theme ‘Healthy Habits, Happy Campus.’
This semester’s initiative aims at enhancing the well-being of the university community, and has ssen students and staff converge at the Guild Square to access the health services provided during this week. A series of health-related activities, including blood donation, free HIV testing, optical services, and cancer screening, are being offered. The services are being provided in partnership with Marie Stopes, a leading non-governmental organization specialising in sexual and reproductive health.
In addition, Cafe Pora, a popular eatery in Mukono, has teamed up with UCU to raise awareness on nutrition. The cafe’s team is educating students on the importance of healthy eating habits and demonstrating how to prepare nutritious meals such as smoothies.
Speaking to The Standard, Franklin, an engineering student at UCU, emphasised the significance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. “Anything about health comes first. A healthy body and mind equals a better life,” he said.
However, participation in this semester’s health week has been lower than expected. The university’s health minister, Ashura Nalubega, attributed this to the low student population on campus at this time of the semester. She explained that many students are off semester, and the January intake brings in only a few freshers.
Despite this, Nalubega encouraged all students present to take advantage of the free services being offered. “I encourage all students around to participate in the activities this health week because they are free of charge,” she said. “This is an opportunity because the same services offered freely during this period are paid for out there.”
UCU’s Health Awareness Week is expected to run throughout the week, with organisers urging more students to engage in the activities and prioritise their well-being.
