Building a Safer and Healthier Community in Mayuge
On October 29, 2026, Kyando Hill in Mayuge District welcomed everyone for the annual celebration of Bishop James Hannington Day. The event brought together people from different communities to remember the legacy of faith, courage, and sacrifice.
Among those present was IDI Uganda’s Disease Prevention Programme (DPP) team, taking part in the event as part of its ongoing partnership with the Mayuge District Local Government. Following the signing of a memorandum with the district on October 6, 2026, IDI Uganda joined the community health activities with a shared goal of supporting public health and making basic emergency care more accessible to the community.
Bringing First Aid Closer to the Community
As part of the celebrations, a medical camp was organized to provide basic health care services and medical assistance to members of the local community. It offered an opportunity for community members to receive basic medical care and access immediate assistance when needed.
Working alongside the Mayuge District Local Government, IDI Uganda’s DPP team supported the medical camp booth. Community members received initial health assessments, basic first aid, wound care, and triage services.
But the team’s contribution went beyond providing medical assistance. The booth also became a place where people–especially children–could learn simple skills that may one day help save a life.
Through hands-on first-aid sessions, participants learned practical ways to respond to common injuries and emergencies. The training covered several important areas:
- Basic Wound Management: Learning how to clean wounds properly, maintain hygiene, and apply sterile dressings to help prevent infections.
- Immobilization & Bandaging: Practicing how to use triangular bandages to support injured limbs and stabilize suspected fractures or sprains.
- Emergency Referral Protocols: Learning how to assess injured individuals and respond appropriately while waiting for professional medical assistance.
One of the highlights was seeing young participants practice applying splints and slings to one another. Instead of simply listening to instructions, they had the chance to try these techniques themselves and learn how to use them in real-life situations.
At the end of the training, one student who will be joining Primary Five proudly said,
“Now, I can help my friends when they get hurt!”
It was a simple but heartwarming moment for the team. Through this training, the children learned that even small skills can make a big difference, giving them the confidence to care for their friends and help others when they need it most.
Small Lessons, Lasting Impact: Reaching 72 Participants
Throughout the one-day event, IDI Uganda reached 72 individuals through first-aid activities and emergency care support. Children and adolescents made up the majority of the recorded participants, highlighting the importance of introducing basic emergency response skills at an early age.
The age distribution of participants is shown below:
With many of the participants being children, the activity provided an opportunity to introduce essential first-aid knowledge beyond the classroom and into everyday community life. Learning how to care for a wound, support an injured person, or seek help during an emergency can be valuable not only for individuals but also for the people around them.
Moving Forward Together
The celebration of Bishop James Hannington Day highlighted that building healthier communities requires more than providing medical assistance. Equipping people with practical knowledge and the confidence to respond to emergencies is equally important in creating safer and healthier communities for everyone.
The activity also demonstrated the value of collaboration between local government, faith-based institutions, and humanitarian organizations. By working together, these partners can better identify community needs, coordinate resources, and deliver services that respond to local priorities.
IDI Uganda will continue working with the Mayuge District Local Government to expand community-level first-aid training, strengthen preparedness for public events, and support local efforts to improve access to basic emergency care.
Sometimes, a simple lesson can make a meaningful difference. By bringing practical knowledge closer to the community, we hope to help more people become ready to respond when it matters most.