By Ivan Tsebeni
In 2017, Uganda Christian University (UCU) was ranked among the top 50 most beautiful Christian campuses globally by the Christian Universities Online. In a 2018 survey, UCU’s main campus at Mukono was also ranked among the 10 most beautiful campuses in Africa. The university’s sculptures were a main contributor to the elevated status. Many are located in the Tech Park area, adjacent to buildings where art is taught. Patrick Natumanya, a lecturer at the Department of Industrial and Fine Art who has worked on many of the sculptures, talked about their meaning to reporter Ivan Tsebeni.
- This sculpture at Tech Park was designed by a final-year student, Emmanuel Ekemu, in 2016. It signifies academic struggle. It is meant to inspire students to take up the academic struggle in order to transform their communities.
- The Tech Park area sculpture was designed by James Ocen Ambrose, a second-year student, in 2014. It symbolizes a discussion as a collective effort to ensure academic excellence. The sculpture is meant to guide and inform students to take part in academic discussions in order to succeed.
- The Tech Park structure was erected in 2002 by Abahu Yosia, an international student of art and design. It stands for strength in faith. It is meant to call upon people to have strong faith in Jesus Christ as their savior.
- This sculpture, also located in the Tech park, was designed by Amos Kutosi, a final-year student, in 2016. It is meant to instill academic focus and value among students.
- Patrick Natumanya designed this piece in 2014, in the Tech Park area near an honors college residence building. It is meant to awaken the sense of concern and awareness in communities.
- Found in front of Sabiti girls’ hall of residence, this sculpture was designed by Christopher Lukwago, a third-year student of Bachelor of Industrial and Fine Art, in 2006. It symbolizes academic triumph and completion. It is meant to inspire women to strive harder to acquire and complete their academic journeys.
- The sculpture is located at the Guild offices, next to the Hamu Mukasa Library. It stands for co-existence. It is meant to inspire people to value every creature since we are dependent on each other. It was designed by Patrick Natumanya in 2015.
- Stationed in front of the university’s old library, next to the Bishop Tucker building, this sculpture symbolizes hard work and time management. It is meant to inspire students to respect and value time. It was designed by Patrick Tumanye, a lecturer at the Department of Fine Art, in 2002.
- This artwork is stationed in front of The Standard newspaper offices. It stands for parenting and is meant to inform the community that parenting is a joint effort of both parents. While designing this sculpture in 2001, Stephen Mabonga and Asiimwe Ephraim, students of Bachelor of Industrial and Fine Art, intended to use it to prepare students for the future role of parenthood after school.
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