Living at Omni Med in Makata

Makata Village is home to the Omni Med headquarters, where volunteers live and work alongside community members. This immersive experience allows participants to truly understand daily life in rural Uganda and build meaningful relationships with local families and health workers.

"I felt a sense of ownership in the work I did in Uganda. We students weren’t just following the outlines of some lecturer or obeying a treatment algorithm; we were discovering solutions on our own and working through the problems that unfailingly arise out of any great solution. I would highly recommend Omni Med to anyone interested in global health. The staff and leadership provide a great structure and framework to help the community, but still allow freedom to take initiative and find creative ways to augment that mission. I have never participated with an NGO that was able to balance meaningful organized activities with independent idea development as well as Omni Med did. I wish that I could have spent more time in Mukono and am grateful for the friends that I made there.”

James Spratt, MS-1, Georgetown

Located about 12 miles from Kampala, Uganda’s capital, Makata Village sits within the serene rural landscape of Mukono District.

Mukono is a moderate-sized town with basic amenities and serves as a gateway to Lake Victoria, whose shoreline and islands fall within Omni Med’s catchment area. The area is rich in natural beauty and cultural access, making it ideal for service-learning.

Infrastructure
Makata Village faces substantial infrastructure limitations. There is no piped water system or electricity grid, and most households rely on a nearby stream for water, often walking several miles. Roads are unpaved and become difficult to navigate during the rainy season. Sanitation infrastructure is minimal, with many homes lacking latrines or proper waste disposal systems.

Health and Safety

Makata Village has limited access to formal healthcare services. The nearest facility is Seeta Nazigo Health Centre III, located in the sub-county. It employs nine full-time staff, including three nurses, two midwives, two laboratory technicians, a data assistant, and a clinical officer. This facility serves a broad catchment area and is supported by a network of community health workers (CHWs), known locally as Village Health Team (VHT) members. VHTs are essential to health service delivery in Makata, as they conduct home visits, mobilize communities, promote general health education, and provide maternal and child health support. They also follow up with patients recently discharged from care or living with chronic illness. Common health issues in the village include waterborne diseases and other preventable conditions linked to inadequate sanitation and unsafe water sources.

Economic Activity

The community depends on subsistence farming as its primary economic activity. Families cultivate staple crops like maize, beans, and cassava mainly for their own consumption, with farming starting early each morning and shaping the rhythm of village life. Limited access to income, electricity, and education—alongside high food insecurity and a 72% adult illiteracy rate—highlights the deep links between economic conditions and health. Omni Med’s service-learning programs engage these realities directly, aligning health outreach with the community’s daily schedule and broader needs.

Cultural Life

Makata Village’s culture is deeply rooted in family, faith, and community connection. Daily life revolves around shared activities and social gatherings, where traditional dances, storytelling, and celebrations play a key role in maintaining strong social bonds. The local diet reflects the agricultural lifestyle, featuring staple foods such as cassava, maize, beans, and seasonal vegetables. Rolex, a delicious Ugandan wrap of eggs and vegetables rolled in chapati, are common and loved by all ages. Luganda is the primary language spoken, and faith communities are central to village identity and support networks. This rich cultural fabric shapes the resilience and warmth that visitors experience during their time in Makata.

Nestled within Makata Village, the Omni Med compound offers a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment for volunteers, students, faculty, and researchers.

Five Main Building

Main Building houses the office, dining and meeting room, and three guest bedrooms with two full bathrooms.
Duplex One and Two house four separate one-bedroom apartments ideal for small groups or faculty.
Kitchen and Storage building keeps a fully equipped kitchen where meals are prepared and supplies stored.

Living Arrangements and Security

Each living space is secured with locks on doors, and safeboxes are provided for valuables, offering peace of mind alongside the compound’s comprehensive security measures. The gated walls and round-the-clock security presence create a safe haven, allowing guests to focus fully on their work and reflection.

Recent upgrades have expanded and modernized our accommodations to better serve visiting partners and volunteers.

Meals and Daily Life

Meals are lovingly prepared by Ruth, Prossy and Judith, featuring a large Ugandan-style lunch, the day’s main meal, and a lighter dinner.

Breakfast is self-served, with coffee, tea, bread, bananas, and fresh fruits typically available. The compound’s calm atmosphere and ample indoor and outdoor workspaces create an ideal setting for learning, collaboration, and personal growth.

The compound now includes:

Reliable solar power
Wi-Fi access
Hot water
Separate volunteer kitchen