Entebbe International Airport Hosts KIU Public Health Study Tour

KIU, Main Campus - Public Health students from Kampala International University, Main Campus, led by Dr. Nicholas Ngomi, Associate Dean of the School of Public Health, on Thursday, 9th April 2026, stepped beyond the classroom into the real world of public health at Entebbe International Airport.

The detailed study tour to Entebbe International Airport’s Kazuri Medical Aviation & Corporate Health Unit offered a hands-on experience with port health procedures and facilities.

The visit was designed to enhance students’ understanding of border health security and disease surveillance practices. Through observation of traveler health screening protocols, temperature monitoring systems, and quarantine procedures, students witnessed how the International Health Regulations (IHR) are implemented at points of entry.

Students also explored emergency preparedness mechanisms, documentation processes for suspected infectious cases, and the coordination between port health authorities and national surveillance systems.

This immersive experience transformed Public Health theory into a crystal-clear picture of what public health looks like outside the four walls of a classroom. What students had studied in lectures—epidemiology, surveillance, and rapid response—came alive before their eyes.

They saw firsthand how every traveler screened, every protocol followed, and every decision made at international borders contributes to preventing the global spread of disease.

The outcomes of the tour were profound. Upon post-tour engagement with the students, Dr. Nicholas Ngomi, Associate Dean of the School of Public Health, attested to his students attaining improved knowledge of border health systems, enhanced understanding of disease prevention at points of entry, and increased interest in careers in port health and border health security.

“The visit also strengthened collaboration between KIU School of Public Health and Entebbe International Airport’s Public Health Unit,” he added.

In his assertion, Mark Ssengendo—a student of Public Health—revealed how the experience strengthened his perspective as a future public health professional, showing him the responsibility he carries in safeguarding communities.

“Moments such as this tour shape our journey, pushing us to learn more, do more, and become better, because in the end, public health is not just a career but rather a commitment to protecting lives,” he remarked.

This visit reminded students that public health is not just about textbooks—it is about real people, real risks, and real impact. It strengthened their perspective as future professionals, underscoring the responsibility they carry in safeguarding communities across borders.