Mengo Hospital

Pioneers of Modern Medicine in Uganda

Located on Namirembe hill in Kampala, Mengo Hospital is a symbol of Uganda’s rich history in the field of medicine. The hospital’s story dates back to the late 19th century when King Mutesa I of Buganda invited Christian missionaries to Uganda to bring the “light” of evangelism, healthcare, and education. Among the missionaries was Dr. Sir Albert Ruskin Cook, a physician who saw the need to minister to the physical health of the people of Uganda as well as their spiritual well-being.In 1897, Dr. Cook held his first outpatient clinic under a tree on Namirembe hill, the site where Mengo Hospital now stands. This marked the beginning of the Christian medical work in Uganda, which has continued to grow and develop for over 124 years. Today, Mengo Hospital is a leading healthcare provider in Uganda, offering a wide range of medical services to patients across the country.The hospital is named after the Mengo Palace, the traditional seat of the Kabaka of Buganda, and honors its founder, Dr. Sir Albert Ruskin Cook, who turned the hospital into a pioneer of modern medicine in Uganda and East Africa. Mengo Hospital’s operations ensure that the Sir Albert Cook legacy continues, and the Sir Albert Cook Building houses several healthcare services.Lady Katherine Cook, the wife of Dr. Sir Albert Cook, was the attending nurse who played an essential role in assisting the doctor during operations. She later founded the Mengo School of Nursing and Midwifery, which was the first school of nursing and midwifery in Uganda and East Africa.Various wards in Mengo Hospital were named after colleagues who worked alongside Dr. Cook, such as Roy Billington, Margaret Bond Luke, and Katherine Cook, in honor of their legacy. Mengo Hospital’s founding physician and nurse arrived in Uganda with a clear evangelical purpose to provide curative care that might influence grateful patients to accept their “moral” cure as well.The hospital’s rich history, which dates back over a century, is a testament to the enduring legacy of Dr. Sir Albert Ruskin Cook and Lady Katherine Cook.