MBARARA– Bishop Stuart University (BSU) has started the construction of a Shs3 billion nursing home at Ruharo in Kamukuzi, Mbarara town as it propels up to having a University teaching hospital.
During the handover of the construction site to Byebeki technical services on Tuesday, the University Academic registrar Abdon Ariho Rutega who represented the Vice-chancellor Professor Mauda Kamatenesi said the construction of this home gives the university the opportunity to increase their intake in nursing courses and is in line with their future plan of having a university teaching hospital.
“Right now we have over 200 students taking up nursing courses but we could be having more if it were not for limited infrastructure, with this new home we will be able to enroll more students and be able to bring in other courses like medicine as plan to have a teaching hospital here,” said Rutega.
He said the new nursing home which is expected to be completed in two years will among others house three offices, six classrooms, a demonstration lab, ICT center and sanitary area.
According to Rutega, they only contracted labour at Shs 264 million and University will buy materials and other requirements with the whole project expected to cost Shs 3 billion.
Recheal Luwaga, the acting head of the nursing school at this university said lack of space both for teaching and practicals has been their big challenge.
“We are operating under very limited space and the numbers have increased. We have over 200 students and our lecturer rooms accommodate between 50-70 students, demonstration rooms can only accommodate 15 students, this is a big challenge. We happy that the university has realized our plight and came to our rescue,” said Ms Luwaga.
Posiano Byaruhanga the director Byebeki Technical services and the contractor said that he is ready to deliver quality work within a specified time if the University avails materials timely.
Bishop Stuart University Nursing School currently shares space with Ruharo Mission hospital.