By Dalton Mujuni
When people have faith, God makes a way where there seems to be no way.
That is what He has done for the Bishop Tucker School of Theology and Divinity at Uganda Christian University (UCU) during the ever-present Covid-19 period.
While most academic institutions in the country struggle to find funds because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic to the education sector, the School has continued to receive providence in form of multiple grants for capacity building of its staff and refurbishment.
According to the Rev. Prof. Dr. Christopher Byaruhanga, the Dean of School, four of the UCU theology/divinity lecturers – Rev. Andrew Nalumenya, Rev. Rose Ekirunga, Rev. Hope George and Mr. Denis Ruhama are pursuing their Ph.D. studies in South Africa using grant funds.
The school has won several grants from different sources. The donors and amounts include the Overseas Council Australia, $5,000; Cornerstone Foundation, $33,000; and St. Augustine Foundation, $19,000.
Byaruhanga said the grant from the Oversees Council Australia is a two-in-one.
“They agreed to partner with us in terms of staff development at the Ph.D. level for the next 15 years and also granted us sh20m (just over $5,000) for purchasing laptops for the lecturers at the regional campuses to help with the on-line teaching during the Covid-19 period,” he said.
Overseas Council Australia is an Australian-based Organization that matches the interests of Australian donors and the need of their partner Bible colleges by educating and encouraging Australian Christians to understand the mission scene in the 21st Century.
Byaruhanga said that the sh123m ($33,000) from the Cornerstone Foundation USA is for the refurbishment of the Department of Theology at the Mbale Campus (Mbale University College). Cornerstone Foundation Australia Inc. is a Christian, interdenominational, non-profit organization registered as an incorporated body in Adelaide, and is affiliated to Cornerstone Foundation USA.
He revealed that the School bought space from a Primary School near the Mbale Campus for the Department of Theology. The Cornerstone Foundation money was directed towards renovating the block.
“The face-lifting of the block is going on very well, and the first phase is done,” he said.
Similarly, the sh69m ($19,000) grant from St. Augustine Foundation is intended to support the School’s Online Theological Education during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Byaruhanga noted that with the grant, they were able to procure other laptops for seven of the lecturers at the UCU Main Campus and fund on-line teacher trainings for the staff.
The St. Augustine Foundation is an international organization that supports the needs of individuals and communities that advance the Kingdom of God. It is an expression of St. Augustine’s directive “to hold all things in common.”
“The grants have not only impacted the School but the University at large,” Byaruhanga said.
During the 21st graduation ceremony on December 18, the Vice Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi commended Faculty heads, including Prof. Byaruhanga, for securing the grants.
The Bishop Tucker School of Theology and Divinity is Uganda’s oldest theological School affiliated with the Church of Uganda. The school offers both undergraduate and postgraduate levels training in Theology, Divinity and Child Ministry.
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