So you are finally admitted at KIU for your medical course as a fulfillment for your profession to become a doctor, pharmacist, clinical officer, nurse or any other medic that is going to offer health services. You are into imaginations of what it looks like far away from home, the environment, community, and everything else like food, so finally you’ve began on your journey of “independence” and staying away from your family and friends.
KIU –Western Campus is located in western Uganda, in a town called Ishaka, Bushenyi District, it’s about a 6 hours drive from the city. Students board from Kisenyi Bus Terminal for buses like Tausi, Kingo, Pokopoko etc, while others board from Global Bus Terminal in Old Kampala, Global coaches don’t go beyond Mbarara City so you may need to board a taxi to Ishaka town.
The university provides hostels at a fee for a whole semester and that includes your bills like water and electricity, meals are not inclusive, however you may opt to make a payment advance for meals at the university dining hall to book meals for a whole semester that is breakfast, lunch and supper. There are other alternatives for meals within the campus like the Campus Café for fast foods, and meals, not forgetting the campus canteens. The other options are getting food from outside restaurants, which include the most famous places like Linas, Chibuddy, and Spicy restaurants. The hottest spot for pizzas nearest campus is Swing Inn Motel which also offers deliveries for meals and drinks.
Okay, food wise we are sorted, how about if you are thinking about not residing in campus hostels, you may consider renting single self contained houses, double self contained houses around campus areas like Lwemilokola “Lagos”, Rushenyi “Abuja”, Basajja town, Ishaka, and Bwegiragye at price ranges of 400k-2m a semester, some rent fees come with bills inclusive and others you pay for bills. The most famous houses and apartments include: Matovu hostels, Dr. Mbabazi hostels, Byekwaso, Katar hostels, among others. You need not worry about languages as most people in Ishaka use a variety of languages which include Lunyankore, English and Luganda.
Most houses of worship are within proximity to the campus and include Ishaka Community Church, Christ Embassy, Phaneroo, St. Camillus, St. Luke’s Chapel, The University Mosque, Basajja Mosque and Ishaka SDA. The town is developing really so fast, there’s a police post inside the university and Ishaka Police Station which offer security to students. Places of entertainment include: Swing Inn Motel known for its discotheque, and others found in Kizinda and Bushenyi towns like Ciello Inn, Tuzza Resort, Corporate Bar, Relax etc which are just a few kilometers from the campus.
Enjoy your stay in western Uganda on your journey to becoming the next greatest health worker.
By Jackson Kigozi, Medical Student, BCM 3.1
