By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
BUSHENYI
Medical students at Kampala International University (KIU) have raised a red flag over what they describe as a deepening mental health crisis driven by harsh training conditions, high tuition fees and uncertainty surrounding their future.
The alarm was sounded during a meeting of the Federation of Uganda Medical Students’ Associations (FUMSA) at KIU’s Western Campus, where students spoke of mounting pressure that they say is pushing some of their colleagues to drug abuse and suicidal tendencies.
Students painted a grim picture of life in medical school, citing long hours in class and overwhelming academic demands.
“From long times in classes, students say they face these challenges and they have caused a lot of mental health issues within the medical school students,” said Isaac Bwambale, a medical student.
Joseph Kaziimba highlighted the daily struggle to survive on campus, saying financial and social pressures are taking a toll.
“We are suffering issues with survival here at campus. It is not easy, and this is affecting us,” he said.
Deborah Nyakato Amahoro attributed the crisis to the heavy academic workload, noting that many students grapple with anxiety.
“You can have anxiety because there is so much to handle at one point,” she said.
Beyond academics, students decried the high cost of medical education at KIU. Bwambale revealed that he pays about sh6.5 million per semester—more than double what some counterparts pay in other universities—excluding additional requirements such as medical equipment costing over sh300,000.
He said the costs place a heavy burden on parents and sponsors, further exacerbating stress among students.
The Federation of Uganda Medical Students’ Associations president, Amon Nkwatsibwe, criticised government policies, saying they are often made without consulting students.
He cited uncertainty surrounding a proposed additional internship year, questioning who would cater for students’ welfare during that period.
“Students are left in uncertainty. We do not know whether that extra year will be funded or how interns will survive,” he said.
KIU Guild president Lamto George Clifton warned that some students are resorting to drugs as a coping mechanism.
“Many believe drugs can relieve stress, but in the long run they are putting their health in danger,” he said, urging authorities to strengthen counselling and peer support systems.
However, Dr Elias Kiiza, chairperson of the Uganda Medical Students’ Association Ankole branch, advised students to remain focused on their studies despite the challenges.
“Let them stick to their education and avoid distractions that may derail their completion,” he said.
The students are now calling for urgent intervention from university management and government to address their welfare, warning that failure to act could worsen the crisis among the country’s future doctors.
