By Irene Best Nyapendi
An early November 2024 call from the Human Resource and Administration (HR & A) Directorate of Uganda Christian University (UCU) to Suzan Ekadu found her phone off. Nevertheless, the caller sent her a congratulatory message. When Ekadu, an Assistant Registrar at Uganda Christian University (UCU), finally checked her messages, she straightaway thought she was being transferred to another faculty.
“I hope you are not transferring me again, because I will not go,” she quickly replied, saying she had just been transferred from the Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology to the School of Business.
However, she realized moments later that the congratulations were to recognize her for exceptional service to the university.
Annually, UCU has been awarding staff members who make a milestone of 10 years of service. However, this year, it was different. A total of 31 employees were recognized for exceptional service, as part of UCU’s new performance-based staff awards.
Winning this award not only made Ekadu feel appreciated, but also ignited her motivation to achieve even more.
“This award has shown me that our efforts are recognized,” said Ekadu, who joined the university as an employee nearly 10 years ago. She says through her work, she has learned so much about the policies that shape teaching and learning.
UCU’s quality of education has made an impression on industry practitioners. Ekadu says many universities have been coming “here to benchmark our practices, especially in examination coordination, where I served for some time; this speaks volumes about our commitment to excellence.”
Ekadu was one of the 31 awardees who received plaques on November 26, 2024 at the university’s end-of-year community worship held at the Main Campus’ Nkoyoyo Hall.
Deo Musekura, one of the university’s drivers, and an awardee, could not hide his excitement when he learned he would be honored.
Five days before the awards ceremony, while on duty at UCU’s Kampala Campus, he received a call from the Human Resource Directorate, informing him of the good news.
“I was pleasantly surprised and overjoyed to hear that I would be among the staff recognized. This shows that the people I work for appreciate what I do,” said Musekura. He has worked for UCU for four years.
During the awards ceremony, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Mr. David Mugawe, explained how the awards were established.
“Last year, the University Council asked management to create a way to reward outstanding staff,” he explained.
The evaluation criteria included staff performance, contributions to research and grants, leadership roles, and excellence in teaching, using the blended learning methods on Moodle. Feedback from students was also an important part of the evaluation process.
Mugawe emphasized the need for timely performance reviews, noting that some staff missed out on recognition this year due to incomplete evaluations. Each awardee received a plaque, and a financial reward.
“This will be an annual event. Let us make sure all evaluations are done on time so we can recognize every deserving staff member,” Mr. Mugawe said.
The performance-based awards aim to create a culture of excellence and commitment at the university.
The staff evaluation is initiated by staff and approved by their supervisor. The evaluation forms include the staff’s key performance indicators and key result areas.
UCU Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi acknowledged that while no one is without flaws, the contribution of the staff who received awards have been commendable.
He encouraged the staff to keep striving for excellence in order to maintain the “UCU standard of excellence.”
Prof. Monica Chibita, the Dean of the UCU School of Journalism and one of the awardees, advised her colleagues not to focus solely on recognition while working, but to appreciate the university’s generosity.
Some of the staff members who were recognized for exceptional service are:
Research and Grants:
Prof. Monica Chibita
Prof Elizabeth Kizito
Dr. Rosemary Bulyaba
Prof. Eng. Eleanor Wozei
Leadership
Dr. Miria Agunyo
Dr. Gerald Tumusiime
Dr. Innocent Ndibatya
Rebecca Gomes Namirimu
Online Platform teaching and learning
Doreen Kukugiza
Jeremy Waiswa
Arabella Abamwesiga
Comfort Mpiriirwe Tumuhamye
Lorine Akinyi
Josephine Namyalo
Andrew Nyombi
Academic Support
Jean Asasira Mutabule
Claire Arinaitwe
Mwebwaze
Desire Kagaba
Francis Acaye
Beatrice Zalwango
Suzan Ekadu
Administrative Support
Irene Nabwiire
Winnie Thakker
Daniel Kakama
Christine Namatovu Wako
Judith Katoko
Anthony Mukama
Simon Kyalahansi
Deo Maseruka
Nicholas Natuhereza
Shanitah Nuwasasiira
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
To support Uganda Christian University programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.
Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook