Lira school to train health professionals for jobs in Germany

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A German-based company has reached a partnership with the Jerusalem Institute of Health Sciences in Lira city to train students in the German language at the institute, targeting health professionals for labour export to their country.

Rainer Jungo, the executive director of Meine Zukunft, signed a memorandum of understanding with the institute on Saturday, December 21, 2024, as a legal tool to kick-start the process, with the possibility of exporting the first batch in October 2025.

Lira District Woman Member of Parliament Linda Agnes Auma, who sourced the partner, and the district LC5 chairperson, Richard Okello Orik, signed as witnesses during a ceremony held at the school.

Rainer said there are labour opportunities and labour exports in Germany for work in health facilities.

“The most important thing why we are here is to build trust, and trust is the most important when you talk about labour opportunities and labour exports,” he said.

“This is the most technical part, and it is your kids you are giving us. I want to assure you that they will be treated very well, and there will be no difference when it comes to contracts and treatment of workers,” he said.

“There will be no difference to all or whatsoever. They will sign contracts and will be treated equally like any other persons in Germany,” he added.

Rainer said they will assign instructors to handle the candidates as soon as possible because they need the pioneer batch in October next year.

Rainer and Okodo chatting after signing MoU at the school on saturday while Mayor Sam Atul. (Credit: Patrick Okino) also smiles. (AFP)

After the training, their travel documents to Germany, including contracts, will be processed, explaining terms and conditions of service.

MP Auma said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is engaging the Ambassador of Germany and a delegation from Uganda will travel to Germany to sign a bilateral agreement.

She added that the opportunity will be in three locations: Lango (Jerusalem Institute), Teso (Bukedea Health Institute), and in the Acholi sub-region.

The executive director of the institute, Peter Okodo, welcomed the development, saying the school started in 2010 with only 30 students but now has progressed to 1,500 students.

He added that since the inception of the school, they have trained over 7,000 health professionals, who are now serving the community in different capacities.

Okodo highlighted limited funds to acquire modern equipment and the expensive training of nurses and midwives as some of the challenges facing the institute.

The Lira City labour officer, Tom Oguta, said as the labour ministry, any organisation exporting labour must be licensed, and the school should be registered as a labour recruitment institution.

He added that without that, he would not accept because he has been in running battles with many companies coming to recruit people illegally.

Oguta advised the company to be very transparent so that they don’t conflict with the law.

He added that he would be interested in inspecting those workplaces because many were recruited in the past for a specific job, but upon arrival, they were given a different job.