Placement Locations
K4C currently offers student placements in Fort Portal and Kampala, Uganda. Despite relatively high levels of poverty, Uganda is one of the most stable countries in Africa which makes it a safe and enjoyable place to work. The biggest causes of death and injury in Uganda are neonatal disorders, HIV/AIDS, tropical diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis and road traffic accidents (CDC, 2018). The average life expectancy at birth is 63 and the average income is $1,820 per year (World Bank, 2018). The public health and education systems are free to access, however they are hugely under-resourced and some staff lack the necessary skills, meaning they can sometimes struggle to provide even basic levels of care and education to the population. The private health and education systems perform much better, however are unaffordable for the majority of people. This is why K4C focuses on the public health systems which cater for the poorest and most vulnerable members of society.
Described as the ‘Pearl of Africa’ by Winston Churchill, Uganda’s natural beauty ranges from snow-capped mountains to lush rainforests, vast lakes and hot dusty savannahs. The combination of diverse stunning scenery and exciting tourist activities make it a must visit destination for all travellers and holiday makers. Our students are free to explore on evenings and weekends and our knowledgeable local staff are on hand to advise and assist in making any arrangements. Whether you want to spend the weekend spotting elephants in a safari park, surrounded by gorillas in a rainforest, white water rafting down the River Nile or just sunbathing in a fancy lodge next to a beautiful crater lake, we’ve got it covered!
Fort Portal
Fort Portal is a town in the west of Uganda. Located at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains, it is 1500m above sea level and is therefore much greener and slightly cooler than other areas of the country. Outside of the main town, the area is very rural and the majority of the population are subsistence farmers. Most villages are only accessible by mud road which can cause difficulties during wet seasons.
Our student placement opportunities include:
- Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital which provides comprehensive services (including maternity, paediatrics, medicine, surgery, physiotherapy, mental health and infectious diseases) to over 1 million people from the surrounding regions.
- Bukuuku and Kagote Health Centres which are smaller, rural, nursing and midwifery led health facilities and provide primarily basic maternity and outpatient services (including K4C’s cervical screening programme).
- Various community based organisations which provide social work support, mental and sexual health, women’s empowerment and community sensitisation and education services. We also work with organisations which provide rehabilitation for children with physical or mental disabilities.
- Primary schools which cater for children with physical or mental disabilities.
Popular tourist activities include:
- Queen Elizabeth National Safari Park
- Relaxing and swimming in beautiful local crater lakes
- Hiking in the Rwenzori Mountains
- Chimpanzee trekking
- Experiencing local markets, cafes, bars, restaurants and nightlife
Kampala
Kampala is the capital city of Uganda and home to over 3 million people. Although the city is developing rapidly with many new cosmopolitan areas hosting big businesses and fancy hotels, bars and restaurants to entertain those that can afford them, it also hosts huge slums and vast areas of poverty. Many poorer people struggle to access good health and education services due to them being under-resourced and overwhelmed with high numbers of patients.
Our student placement opportunities include:
- Mulago, Kawempe and Kisenyi Hospitals which are large facilties providing comprehensive services to over 8 million people including maternity, paediatrics, medicine, surgery, mental health and infectious diseases.
- Kasangati and Kira Health Centres which are smaller (mainly nursing and midwifery led) health facilities which provide primarily basic maternity and outpatient services (including K4C’s cervical screening programme).
- Various community based organisations which provide social work support, mental and sexual health, women’s empowerment and community sensitisation and education services. We also work with organisations which provide rehabilitation for children with physical or mental disabilities.
Popular tourist activities include:
- Murchison Falls National Safari Park
- White water rafting on the river Nile
- Visiting Lake Victoria and its many beautiful islands
- Exploring the city and its various food and craft markets
- Vibrant restaurants and exciting nightlife
