All posts by Patty Huston-Holm

About Patty Huston-Holm

Author, professor, communications consultant in Ohio, USA; and Mukono, Uganda, Africa.

Chaplains during the workshop in Nkoyoyo Hall.

UCU offers to help primary-secondary teachers upgrade credentials

Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology, UCU School of Education


Chaplains during the workshop in Nkoyoyo Hall.
Chaplains during the workshop in Nkoyoyo Hall.

By Israel Kisakye
Uganda Christian University (UCU) has announced a special, affordable offer for teachers who hold certificates and intend to upgrade to the degree level. 

Addressing chaplains of institutions in Mukono Diocese during a workshop in June, UCU Vice Chancellor Associate Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi implored teachers, especially those in Church of Uganda-founded schools and holding Grade Three and Grade Five certificates, to take advantage of UCU’s opportunity to continue their teaching jobs with degrees.

Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi addresses chaplains.
Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi addresses chaplains.

“We are preparing a special intake for all teachers, especially those from the Church of Uganda (COU)-founded institutions, starting with the advent intake,” Mushengyezi said. He noted that the institution was considering packaging a more affordable tuition for the teachers, starting in September.

The Grade Three certificate is the lowest qualification for a teacher in primary school in Uganda, while the lowest rank for secondary school teachers is Grade Five. The move by UCU follows a government announcement that it intends to phase out the two teaching qualifications, in preference for holders of the bachelor’s degree in education. 

In 2019, Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda, the Director of Education Standards in Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports, said the policy of phasing out teachers without degrees would be implemented in a gradual manner after discussions with stakeholders to best prepare teachers for the transition, as well as to allow students already enrolled in the certificate-awarding institutions to complete their courses and be supported to upgrade.

At the workshop held in UCU’s Nkoyoyo Hall, Mushengyezi urged the chaplains to ensure that their works show the Christ-centeredness that the church advocates and strengthens the Christian religious education in their schools. 

“Make yourselves relevant to the mission of the church,” Mushengyezi told the chaplains. “You are the torch bearers of Christ’s message in the schools, hospitals, and prisons where you work.” The Vice Chancellor told them not to “get tired of spreading the Gospel.”  

The workshop was held to equip chaplains with focused training and spiritual support to be able to function in multi-faith contexts. Mushengyezi revealed that the university had approved a special fund to support the work of the mission, evangelism and discipleship.  

The Rev. Canon Diana Nkesiga, the Vicar of All Saints Cathedral Nakasero, addresses chaplains.
The Rev. Canon Diana Nkesiga, the Vicar of All Saints Cathedral Nakasero, addresses chaplains.

The Rev. Canon Diana Nkesiga, the Vicar of All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero in Kampala, urged the chaplains to take their profession as a calling. 

“This is a profession that must be respected and given full attention,” Nkesiga, who was one of the facilitators at the workshop, said. “Your role is crucial, especially in the schools where you are posted.” 

The Rev. Canon. Geoffrey Muwanguzi, the chaplain of Ndejje University, re-echoed Nkesiga’s call, urging the chaplains to “know their roles in the schools, hospitals and prisons where they are posted.” 

The Rev. Assoc. Prof. John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa, the UCU Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs (DVCA), noted that one of UCU’s aims is to promote Church-founded schools by admitting more students from such facilities. He challenged the chaplains to master the new education order and evangelism systems that have emerged in the post-Covid era. Most of the courses taught in UCU are now through blended learning – partly physical, partly virtual.


The Rev. Assoc. Prof. John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa, UCU Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, reinforces the value of continued learning. 

Robinah Kato, one of the chaplains who attended the training, said she learned new skills about dealing with children and asked for more of such trainings.

Joshua Lujja, another chaplain, said he was looking forward to the programs that the clergy and teachers will benefit with improved skills from through UCU. 

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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 Twitter and Facebook.

Brendan Katushabe and musician Joanita Kawalya (right) at the launch of activities of Own Your Future (OYF) in January 2022 at UCU’s Nkoyoyo Hall.

UCU student champions fight against HIV

COVID-19, News, Students, UCU School of Law


Brendan Katushabe and musician Joanita Kawalya (right) at the launch of activities of Own Your Future (OYF) in January 2022 at UCU’s Nkoyoyo Hall.
Brendan Katushabe and musician Joanita Kawalya (right) at the launch of activities of Own Your Future (OYF) in January 2022 at UCU’s Nkoyoyo Hall.

By Vanessa Kyalimpa
At last year’s World AIDS Day on December 1, UN Secretary General António Guterres expressed optimism that it is still possible to end the epidemic by 2030. However, Guterres emphasized that for that to happen there would be a need for “stepped up action and greater solidarity.”

UCU Law student Brendan Katushabe says many university students in Uganda are ignorant about sexual and reproductive health
UCU Law student Brendan Katushabe says many university students in Uganda are ignorant about sexual and reproductive health

In a direct response to Guterres call for “stepped up action,” Brendan Katushabe, a Uganda Christian University (UCU) student, has taken matters into her own hands, to champion advocacy about the danger that still exists with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). 

She says there is usually more hype about the epidemic during the commemoration of the World AIDS Day and noticeable silence for the rest of the year. The year-four student of Bachelor of Laws says she is aiming towards change by taking action to better empower communities with information on sexual and reproductive health – namely HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and other sexually transmitted diseases. 

Her vehicle is an advocacy initiative called Own Your Future (OYF), which she founded in early 2022.

Katushabe says many university students in Uganda are ignorant about sexual and reproductive health, which makes them prone to contracting Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). Through the OYF initiative, she holds sensitisation campaigns in a more structured manner. One such activity was in January 2022 at UCU’s Nkoyoyo Hall. 

Under the theme, “Combat STDs once and for all, advocating for a free, healthy Uganda,” the event attracted information seekers as well as other promoters of sexual and reproductive health.

At the January campaign, Joanita Kawalya, a vocalist with Uganda’s Afrigo Band and activist on health and reproductive health, thanked Katushabe for organizing such a platform and encouraged students to take advantage of initiatives like those to inform themselves.

The activity, which included a free medical camp, was attended by students from UCU, Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Nkumba University and Kampala International University.

After testing the waters with her initiative, Katushabe was back again at UCU in March 2022, this time to launch her program. At the launch, Katushabe had the backing of Reproductive Health Uganda, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), and Uganda’s Ministry of Health.

“We need to put emphasis on the health of the young people for the next 10 years,” Dr. Richard Mugahi, the assistant commissioner in charge of reproductive and infant health at Ministry of Health, said at the launch of OYF in March. He added: “We have the capacity to do all it takes if all partners harmonize their approaches and strategies.” 

A screenshot of a OYF Twitter Space event held in May 2022
A screenshot of a OYF Twitter Space event held in May 2022

The president of the UCU Debate Club, Suzan Owomugisha, said that many young people had forgotten about the importance of paying attention to their sexual health. 

“Ever since the start of Covid-19, people have been minding more about the pandemic than any other disease,” Owomugisha said, noting that the information that was shared during the OYF activities will help reduce the prevalence of teenage pregnancies and HIV among young people.

Edbert (full name concealed), who is living with HIV, urges the community to restore hope among people living with HIV, instead of stigmatizing against them. 

“Stigma is one of the biggest challenges affecting most people living with HIV,” Edbert said, emphasizing that with concerted efforts from the community, negative perceptions and shame can be eradicated. 

HIV stigma was among the topics of discussion in a May 2022 OYF-hosted Twitter Spaces event, where the chief panelist was Emily Katarikawe, the Uganda Country Director of jhpiego, an NGO that advocates saving lives and improving health. Katushabe says more such engagements have been lined up to promote health advocacy.

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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 Twitter and Facebook.

From (right to left) Prof. Elizabeth Balyejusa Kizito, Dr. Anthony Mveyange, Prof Aaron Mushengyezi, Dr. Emilly Maractho and the executive assistant at PASGR at UCU main campus.

Expert reinforces benefits of partnerships at APC lecture

Faculty, SRPGS


Dr. Anthony Mveyange shares a light moment with the UCU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi.
Dr. Anthony Mveyange shares a light moment with the UCU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi.

By Kefa Senoga
Partnerships. Synergies. Everyone who attended the most recent Africa Policy Center’s (APC) public lecture likely left thinking about these two key words. The lecture, held in the International Christian Medical Institute (ICMI) hall of the Uganda Christian University (UCU) main campus (Mukono), featured Dr. Anthony Mveyanga, development economist and policy advisor.

(Dr. Mveyange also is featured in a June 2022 UCU podcast.)

Making a case for partnerships, Mveyange said they help to maximize impact to influence future policy changes.  Like marriage, partnerships should be based on mutuality and coherence of interest, Mveyange, a renowned African scholar, argued during his presentation before senior UCU academic and administrative staff.

From (right to left) Prof. Elizabeth Balyejusa Kizito, Dr. Anthony Mveyange, Prof Aaron Mushengyezi, Dr. Emilly Maractho and the executive assistant at PASGR at UCU main campus.
From (right to left) Prof. Elizabeth Balyejusa Kizito, Dr. Anthony Mveyange, Prof Aaron Mushengyezi, Dr. Emilly Maractho and the executive assistant at PASGR at UCU main campus.

Mveyange called for “multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary research synergy,” arguing that it will be difficult to get funding for a research project that has no evidence of collaboration “because of the perception that we cannot address public policy from one angle.”

To drive his point home, Mveyange offered lessons from the experience of collaborations that his employer has been engaged in in the recent past. 

Mveyange, who has key competencies in strategic leadership, partnerships and collaborations, is the Executive Director of the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR), an independent, nonpartisan pan-African non-profit organization in Nairobi, Kenya. that works to enhance research excellence in governance and public policy. 

“As PASGR, we are partners with different universities across the continent and this is because we realized that for us to achieve our mission and vision, we cannot deliver on our own,” Mveyange said during his presentation that he made in mid-June.


Director of the African Policy Center, Dr. Emilly Comfort Maractho, talks to Dr. Anthony Mveyange about the relevance of research.

He cited two significant African initiatives – the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and COVAX – which require different countries to work together and share data. 

Despite Mveyange’s postulation, he is fully aware that there are some researchers who undermine others, and would, therefore, not embrace partnerships. He says such behaviour is toxic, and cannot offer a favourable environment for partnerships to blossom.

Members of the academia at UCU attending the public lecture by Dr. Anthony Mveyange.
Members of the academia at UCU attending the public lecture by Dr. Anthony Mveyange.

At the public lecture, Mveyange also challenged the audience to ensure that their research influences public policy and aims at solving challenges within the communities where it is being conducted. 

“If you are doing research by creating knowledge, there are other issues beyond generating that knowledge,” he stated. “How do you translate that research and knowledge into meaningful tangible outputs that can actually speak to the challenges that the people of the continent are facing?”

Director of the African Policy Center, Dr. Emilly Comfort Maractho, elaborated on the question, noting, “We recognize that a lot of research happens within the university, but little gets translated into policy or is known by the people outside of the academia…the APC seeks to bridge that gap between research and policy.” 

She also explained that partnerships evolve by engaging stakeholders. 

Maractho commended PASGR for their work in capacity building, noting that she is one of the people who have benefited from the organisation, ever since she joined in 2012 as a researcher trainee in the professional development unit.

Assoc. Prof. Elizabeth Balyejusa Kizito, the Director of Research, Partnerships and Innovation at UCU, thanked the team from PASGR for visiting the university and sharing their insights on the value of partnerships. 

“As a university, we are excited about this opportunity because we know that partnerships are key,” Kizito said, re-echoing a saying: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” 

The APC was officially launched by UCU in 2016 as a think tank that creates a platform for developing indigenous capacity for ideas generation and policy formulation, analysis and research agenda setting from an African Christian perspective. 

Speaking to Uganda Partners upon assuming office as Director of APC in 2021, Maractho said she hopes to see the center grow into one where public policy actors “will look to for alternative policy positions.” 

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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 Twitter and Facebook.

Archbishop Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Magula with the Rev. Canon Lusania Kasamba during the prelate’s visit to his former teacher in Mukono.

Archbishop Kaziimba visits elderly at UCU

Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology, News, Students, UCU Alumni


Archbishop Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Magula with the Rev. Canon Lusania Kasamba during the prelate’s visit to his former teacher in Mukono.
Archbishop Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Magula with the Rev. Canon Lusania Kasamba during the prelate’s visit to his former teacher in Mukono.

By Israel Kisakye
A few meters from the Uganda Christian University (UCU) main gate is a house with a lush green compound. The greenery in the home is a testament to the love for nature by the occupants. The sofa in the house’s sitting room and the art pieces dotting the walls convey owner ‘s appreciation for fine things.

In this Mukono residence lives a Church of Uganda icon, the Rev. Canon Lusania Kasamba, who has spent a better part of his life teaching the gospel. On June 13, 2022, this home hosted the Church of Uganda Archbishop, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu.

In a tweet, Kaziimba summed up the purpose of his visit to Kasamba’s home: “This afternoon, I paid a courtesy visit to our mentor, Rev. Canon Lusania Kasamba, in his home in Mukono, to pray with him and appreciate God for his contribution to ministry.”

Kaziimba arriving at the home of Kasamba (second-left) in Mukono. Second right is Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Assoc. Prof. John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa and right is UCU Chaplain, the Rev Canon Eng. Paul Wasswa Ssembiro
Kaziimba arriving at the home of Kasamba (second-left) in Mukono. Second right is Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Assoc. Prof. John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa and right is UCU Chaplain, the Rev Canon Eng. Paul Wasswa Ssembiro

Kasamba and Kaziimba met at Bishop Tucker College, where the former was a lecturer of Church history in the college, and the latter, a student at the institution. In 1997, Bishop Tucker College evolved into UCU.

Among those who accompanied the archbishop to the home of his former teacher, now age 82, were Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Assoc. Prof. John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa, UCU Chaplain the Rev. Canon Eng. Paul Wasswa Ssembiro and the University’s church relations coordinator, the Rev. Richard Mulindwa.

“The Rev. Kasamba is a great resource to many people, especially as he taught Church history,” Kaziimba said during the visit, adding that Kasamba “had and still has a sense of humor…My visit is to pray with him and appreciate his contribution to God’s ministry.” 

In addition to teaching at UCU, Kasamba was a chaplain at Uganda’s oldest higher institution of learning, Makerere University, from 1978 to 1987.

As a lecturer in Theology, Kasamba acted as UCU chaplain, before the institution found a full-time job holder. Kasamaba eventually handed over the position of chaplain to the Rev. Dr. John Senyonyi, upon the latter’s appointment in 2001.


Referencing John 16:33, the Chancellor, Archbishop Stephen Samuel Kazimba Mugalu thanks UCU management, staff and students for their contributions toward the university’s progress.

Kaziimba’s visit to Kasamba was part of the activities the archbishop performed during his second official pastoral visit to UCU, where he is the Chancellor. In March 2022, Kaziimba performed another of his pastoral visits to the university, noting that he was excited to be “back home,” when the institution is marking 25 years of existence and the university’s iconic structure, the Bishop Tucker Building, marking 100 years.

During the March visit, Kaziimba launched the magnificent Ankrah Foundation Hall of Residence. Prof. Eleanor Maxine leased an estate that belongs to her and her late husband, Canon Kodwo Ankrah, to UCU for setting up a resource centre, accommodation space for students, as well as office space. The hostel that Kaziimba launched is part of the estate that was leased to UCU.

Archbishop Kaziimba at the home of Prof. Eleanor Maxine Ankrah (left).
Archbishop Kaziimba at the home of Prof. Eleanor Maxine Ankrah (left).

In the June pastoral visit, Kaziimba’s intention was to visit the elderly living around UCU. From Kasamba’s home, the archbishop headed to the home of Prof. Eleanor Maxine Ankrah outside the university. Kaziimba said he was pleased with the partnership that the university has with the Ankrah Foundation.

 “I’m looking forward to seeing stronger and faithful partnerships, many people will be blessed from the collaborations,” the archbishop said.

From Maxine’s home, Kaziimba then returned to the university, where he met the Dean and staff of Bishop Tucker School of Theology, as well as the students. He urged the staff to offer selfless service to students undergoing ministerial training and formation. 

The Rev. Canon Christopher Byaruhanga, the Dean of the Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology, told the archbishop that the discipline of the ordinands was commendable. Dr. Nimron Sekanabo, a student pursuing a master’s in divinity, commended Kaziimba for the visit and asked for more of such, saying they are inspirational.

Vice Chancellor Aaron Mushengyezi later hosted Kaziimba together with his team and some members of staff to a dinner at his home. Mushengyezi and his wife, Patience, expressed delight in hosting the archbishop. Mushengyezi noted that the university was ready to work with the Church of Uganda to contribute to ministry work. 

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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 Twitter  and Facebook.

Students of UCU and Dartmouth constructing a rack on which the solar panels will be placed at the UCU Dining Hall

USA Dartmouth College partners with UCU engineering, business on solar system

Faculty of Engineering, Design & Technology, UCU School of Business


Students of UCU and Dartmouth constructing a rack on which the solar panels will be placed at the UCU Dining Hall
Students of UCU and Dartmouth constructing a rack on which the solar panels will be placed at the UCU Dining Hall

By Kefa Senoga
In one week, the Uganda Christian University (UCU) kitchen uses 10 tons of firewood, which cost sh1.5million (about $400). In a year, Ekadu Richard, the head of Royal Hospitality, the company that offers catering services at the UCU Dining Hall, says the university spends a minimum of sh63million (about $16,700) on firewood. 

Two decades ago, the university was spending less than 10 times this amount on the same amount of firewood. To put an end to the high expenditure, there has been a meeting the minds between the faculty and students of UCU and those of the Dartmouth College in the USA state of New Hampshire. 

Veronica Yoravinsky, a Dartmouth student interacting with UCU’s Daniel Tumusiime (wearing cap) at the site
Veronica Yoravinsky, a Dartmouth student interacting with UCU’s Daniel Tumusiime (wearing cap) at the site

The two parties are experimenting using solar energy as a substitute for charcoal and wood in kitchens of institutions in Uganda. And the first beneficiary of this experiment is the UCU kitchen.

Three Dartmouth students – Noah Daniel, Ethan Aulwes and Veronica Yoravinsky – with their team leader, Stephen Doig, were in Uganda June 20 through July 10 to kickstart a partnership that is intended to reduce the number of trees cut for fuel and the amount of smoke generated from the university’s kitchen. 

Should the innovation succeed, the long-term goal is to roll it out to as many institutions as possible. Statistics indicate that in the last 30 years, the forest cover in Uganda has been reduced from 24% to only 12%. If there is no intervention to the current rate of destruction of forest, trees could be wiped away by 2050.

Doig, the Senior Research and Strategy Advisor for Dartmouth’s Irving Institute and an expert in mini-grid development and energy efficiency, is uniquely equipped to advise students by taking ideas of theory and applying them to solve such real-world challenges. He has worked in different countries in Africa, such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda over the course of the last four years in the fields of mini-grid development and energy efficiency.

Firewood used for cooking at the UCU kitchen.
Firewood used for cooking at the UCU kitchen.

The final prototype design for the project is being developed by the Dartmouth engineering team, with substantial and helpful input from the team of UCU engineering students. 

Daniel Tumusiime and Paul Ikocha, who are UCU engineering students,  say that the project has provided them with a superior learning experience in terms of practical application of decision making and analytical skills, as well as team work and problem solving. 

“This is an exciting experience,” Tumusiime said, “As engineering students, there’s nothing as exciting as seeing something we’ve done on paper coming into real life.”


Dartmouth and UCU partners talk about the solar energy project

Richard Ranger, an American who introduced this idea to UCU, said the project seeks to construct a solar thermal system that is able to preheat water up to 700C (158 degrees Fahrenheit) as it passes through tubes before it gets to the kitchen, to reduce on the amount of firewood used for heating it. Ranger joined UCU with his wife, Catherine, a year ago, as affiliates of the Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders (SAMS) and has been lecturing law and business while also mentoring students at the university. 

In a UCU podcast focused on understanding the technological innovation, Ranger said that the project involves the testing of a photovoltaic system, which has solar panels and an inverter that use the energy produced by the sun to generate electricity. That electricity then heats the coil sitting in the water tank, which in turn heats the water before it is drawn from the kitchen taps. 

The exact option for heating water at UCU is one question the teams from Dartmouth and UCU will be finding out after setting up the project.

Firewood is the primary source of heat for cooking meals for the university community. Of the 10 firewood cookers in the kitchen, six are reserved primarily for heating water, which is used for cooking and washing utensils in the kitchen.

“This innovation is long overdue,” Ekadu said. “We needed it like yesterday, but we are still happy that it is here now. Sometimes, we run out of hot water while washing cutlery, and we need a lot of hot water to wash dishes, especially after a meal with beef.”

Vincent Kisenyi, the Dean of the School of Business at UCU, says once there is a good working relationship established, confidence between the two parties will be built to take the project forward. 

“Many plans, such as UCU students going to the USA to look at interventions at Dartmouth will be explored at some point,” Kisenyi says. 

He explained that through the partnership, UCU staff members will be exposed to how to guide their students in engaging in such practical projects. He said such partnerships open up opportunities for further research and collaboration and that they also help to market the university. 

Rodgers Tayebwa, the head of the Department of Engineering and Environment in the Faculty of Engineering,  Design and Technology  at UCU, says that the project falls within UCU engineering department’s strategic plan. 

“As a department, we are looking at enhancing the capacity of students and staff, and also looking at practical solutions to the existing challenge, especially starting with our campus here at UCU,” Tayebwa explained. “In most of the work we do, we involve students because the idea is to skill them through practical hands-on experience, so that’s why we selected those few students and are doing a course unit in renewable energy.”

Tayebwa emphasized the danger of firewood overuse to the kitchen staff, noting that renewable energy could be the magic bullet for safety and saving money.  

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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 Twitter and Facebook.

Elvis Kawumba (center) with Frances Aketch (left), a year-two student of Computer Science. and Jacqueline Ainebyoona (right), a year-two student of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at UCU.

UCU student creates cashless shopping platform

News


Elvis Kawumba (center) with Frances Aketch (left), a year-two student of Computer Science. and Jacqueline Ainebyoona (right), a year-two student of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at UCU.
Elvis Kawumba (center) with Frances Aketch (left), a year-two student of Computer Science. and Jacqueline Ainebyoona (right), a year-two student of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at UCU.

By Agatha N. Biira
When Elvis Kawumba joined Uganda Christian University (UCU) in 2020, he noticed a challenge that students were facing in accessing grocery shops located outside the university. 

He thought about how he could use his information technology skills to create a platform that could link the students to the shops and restaurants. A few months later, an online shopping website was born. 

“I wanted to gather many businesses on one platform for the convenience of the students,” said Kawumba, who is pursuing Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. He is grateful to UCU for exposing him to IT skills, which he used to set up the platform. 

Kawumba used his classroom knowledge to build the platform. The challenge before him now, though, is how to market the platform to the UCU community. So far, 120 people have subscribed to it.

“The app is active but, still, many students haven’t adjusted to paying for products through it,” Kawumba said, noting that many of the subscribers opt to pay on delivery. 

Elvis Kawumba, a year-two student at UCU and the developer of Unify Shopping platform
Elvis Kawumba, a year-two student at UCU and the developer of Unify Shopping platform

He created the platform under the Google Developer Students Club UCU. With the platform, the UCU community finds it easy to access fast food and drinks, UCU restaurant-takeaway, clothing, crafts and household items. 

Once on the platform, students identify the items they need and add to their cart. They then proceed to the checkout section, where payments are made through an inbuilt transaction gateway, where clients can pay through mobile money or debit cards. 

Through the Unify WhatsApp live chat, the client provides their location and the items are delivered to them. Deliveries are made to hostels around UCU, halls and on campus premises. 

Josephat Juma, a year-two student of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at UCU, said the platform is user-friendly. “I have previously ordered products and got them on time,” Juma said. 

Edgar Okitoi, a year-two student of Bachelor of Laws at UCU, said his friend recommended the platform to him. “I used to order foodstuffs using Unify and just wait for my delivery to be made. It is really easy to use,” Okitoi said. 

Marvin Kauta, a second-year student of Bachelor of Computer Science who also helps Kawumba with running Unify, said: “We are working on customizing and making it an app on its own, since it is still using WhatsApp to operate.” 

Kawumba was born and raised in Mbarara district, located in western Uganda. He attended Pearl Junior School, in Bushenyi, western Uganda. It is at this school where he said he was first introduced to computers in Primary Five. For secondary education, he attended Namirembe Hillside High School in central Uganda and Plus Two High School in western Uganda.

“I was desperate to figure out how computers work,” Kawumba said, revealing how he spoilt one of the computers they had at home by opening it, “to see how it functions inside.” 

He said he draws his inspiration from business magnate and investor Elon Musk because “he is innovative and uses technology to find solutions to the world’s problems.”  

“Whenever I get to see his work, it gets me thinking and trying to get out of my comfort zone, so that I can do something that can help society too,” Kawumba said. 

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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 Twitter and Facebook.

Askada Julian (front, in black top) with her friends after class at Uganda Christian University (Courtesy Photo)

Cookies support South Sudanese student

COVID-19, Students, UCU School of Business


Askada Julian (front, in black top) with her friends after class at Uganda Christian University (Courtesy Photo)
Askada Julian (front, in black top) with her friends after class at Uganda Christian University (Courtesy Photo)

By Eriah Lule
All had been well for the family of Uganda Christian University (UCU) student Askada Julian Julius until political unrest broke out in South Sudan in 2013. 

Julian’s father, Sebiti Mamuru, a successful businessman, was accused of providing financial assistance to the rebels who were causing violence in South Sudan. Mamuru was forced to leave his country with 17 children, including Julian, and take refuge in Uganda.  

When the family arrived in Uganda, they settled in Arua, a city in the northwestern part of Uganda. Julian, the fourth born and eldest daughter, had to quickly find ways of supporting herself and the family members.  She found an answer in cookies that she baked and sold to supermarkets and shops. She baked them in flavors of vanilla, coconut and ginger, among others. 

In 2020, when Julian’s aunt heard of her cookie success, she convinced her niece to expand to making other food that she would deliver to people in offices. Julian took advantage of the Covid-induced lockdown in 2020, when many people were afraid of moving around, for fear of catching the virus. She, thus, started supplying cooked food to essential workers who made it office during the lockdown. Bank staff were part of her first clients.

Some of the packed food that Julian sells. (Courtesy Photo)
Some of the packed food that Julian sells. (Courtesy Photo)

Now a year-two student of UCU’s Bachelor of Governance and International Relations program, she sells in many places with the help of two employees. When she is studying, her mother, Dudu Clara, is in charge of the business. 

“The cookie clients introduced us to the food clients,” Julian said. She sells each plate of food at sh5,000 (about $1.3) and earns up to sh60,000 ($16.3) per day in net profit.

Since Julian is usually a reserved person, not many know of her catering service business. Instead, she is known more, for another type of on-line business. She deals in second-hand clothes and bags, which she sells primarily to university students and on the internet.  

“One will never understand Julian, unless you are close to her,” said Nalubega Nicole, Julian’s course-mate at UCU. For the time Nalubega has been close to Julian, she says she has learned that in order to earn a living, one needs to cultivate the skill of being creative and innovative. 

Seeing her level of entrepreneurial skill, one would wonder why Julian did not pursue a course in business. However, she says she felt a course in governance and international relations was a better fit for someone like her who is considering working as a diplomat for her country one day. 

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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.

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Brian Muwanguzi with his favorite music instrument, the adungu (Courtesy Photo)

Practice of music blends with business studies

News, Students, UCU School of Business


Brian Muwanguzi with his favorite music instrument, the adungu (Courtesy Photo)
Brian Muwanguzi with his favorite music instrument, the adungu (Courtesy Photo)

By Ivan Tsebeni
“I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.” This is a quote attributed in 1929 to German-born physicist Albert Einstein. Had he not been a scientist, he said he would have chosen a career in music. 

In 2022, Uganda Christian University (UCU) School of Business student Brian Muwanguzi’s life epitomizes the statements. While he pursues a Bachelors of Tourism and Hospitality Management, he has a passion for music. 

By the time he was age eight, Muwanguzi was already demonstrating musical talent. While a pupil at Ekubo Christian Primary School in Luweero, central Uganda, Muwanguzi exhibited exceptional skills in the school choir, and eventually won a scholarship for the rest of his primary education. 

From Ekubo, Muwanguzi joined Kololo Secondary School in Kampala for O’level, and Bishop Secondary School in Mukono, for A’level. Both schools are in central Uganda.

The first born of five children said he chose to make a mark on the music scene by building his capacity to play a harp-like musical instrument locally called adungu. The arched, nylon-stringed instrument is wooden, with a sound hole provision and normally with a leather covering of animal skin.

Brian Muwanguzi performs on stage. (Courtesy Photo)
Brian Muwanguzi performs on stage. (Courtesy Photo)

When he discovered his love for the adungu, Muwanguzi started spending more time learning how to play the instrument. He had one challenge, though. He did not own one to practice and perform with. However, a few years down the road, Muwanguzi acquired his own adungu. 

“It took me two years to learn how to play the music instrument,” says 24-year-old Muwanguzi. “When I was borrowing the instrument from friends, I would not have enough time with it. It was not until I got mine that I came to fully learn how to play it.”

Muwanguzi’s is a common face at UCU’s Nkoyoyo Hall, mostly during creative arts exhibitions. His music has slowly gained acceptance by the students, and he largely attributes this to the songs having “therapeutic potential.”

Having gone through more than two years of restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic, he feels he has a community duty to provide therapeutic melodies, to help people recover from the post-Covid trauma, among other mental health issues, which will eventually inspire psychosocial transformation. He has so far recorded five songs in the studio, and looks forward to releasing an album “soon.”  

What others say:

Martin Kajubi – lecturer
Muwanguzi is a talented and focused student. His outgoing personality has earned him many friends. I’m sure his music will contribute to this community’s transformation. In times such as this, people need something that will help heal their souls of the wounds caused by the destruction of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Esther Asiimwe – classmate
When in the company of Muwanguzi, no one gets bored. His music is highly inspirational and full of hope. 

Mark Walusimbi – student
Music heals! His skill of playing the adungu instrument excites many of us. It is educational and yet kills stress. Whereas some youths find happiness in other avenues, Muwanguzi believes that the best joy is hidden in counseling and serving fellow learners through music. 

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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.

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Supporters of Owen Michael Masembe with his posters during campaign

Masembe unpacks leadership agenda as Kampala campus Guild President

News, Students, UCU School of Law


Supporters of Owen Michael Masembe with his posters during campaign
Supporters of Owen Michael Masembe with his posters during campaign

By Michael Kisekka
It took two elections for the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Kampala Campus to choose Owen Michael Masembe as its Guild President. 

He wasn’t the top choice in an election on November 26, 2021. That “victory” of Stecia Kasemiire was contested and overturned by the university’s appeals tribunal.  The university’s electoral commission second election in February 2022 had Masembe victorious with 356 votes against Kasemiire’s 230 and Lisa Jjemba Najjemba’s 12 votes. 

“I can’t wait to serve the students,” he said, upon being declared the winner in the polls. “I am looking forward to working hand-in-hand with the university administration and the students to the best of my ability.”

Masembe, a year-three student of Bachelor of Laws, replaces Phoebe Namujehe, also a student of Bachelor of Laws. Masembe planned to put emphasis on finding scholarship opportunities and revamping sports facilities at the UCU Kampala campus.  

In his year of leadership, Masembe said he hopes to help lift the student financial burden of meeting the university requirements. He says he got the inspiration to vie for the office because he thought the structural arrangement of the sports facilities at Kampala Campus needed to be improved by a leader with an interest in sports.

Owen Michael Masembe
Owen Michael Masembe

Masembe believes the experience he has garnered working in three guild governments will be instrumental in guiding him as the Guild President. From year one, he has been part of every guild government in power.

Masembe is fully aware of the stress that being in leadership positions sometimes brings, especially as a student leader, where he has to balance the interest of those he represents with the university. On such occasions, he believes his favorite pastime activities – listening to music and playing rugby – will help to soothe his mind.

Mark Magoola, the outgoing Guild Attorney General, believes Masembe will be able to achieve most of the things on his to-do list because the Guild President is “an objective person who sets goals and always strives to achieve them.”

Charles Muleeyi, the deputy Prime Minister in Masembe’s government, said the Guild President is an exemplary person who loves serving people. ‘‘He is a competent and honest leader and I admire him for that,” Muleeyi said. 

Unlike other leaders who are inspired by their role models to venture into politics, Masembe says he has no role model. “I just want to be the best version of myself as a political leader, by God’s grace.” 

Masembe is the last born in a family of six children of Paul Nkata and Rose Nakayiza, the latter of whom died in 2021. 

The 22-year-old attended City Parents Primary School and Seeta High School (Mbalala Campus) for his O’level and Mengo Senior School for A’level, before joining UCU.

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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 Twitter and Facebook.

Edwin Masingano, president of Azania (foreground), with other members of Azania after a poetry event in Kampala

Azania molds UCU students in poetry, performing arts

News, Students, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication, UCU School of Law


Edwin Masingano, president of Azania (foreground), with other members of Azania after a poetry event in Kampala
Edwin Masingano, president of Azania (foreground), with other members of Azania after a poetry event in Kampala

By Agatha N. Biira
When there is a burning desire for wordsmiths to breathe life into the spoken word, they rarely fail to find a platform to express their craft. If such a platform doesn’t exist, they create their own. 

A group of Uganda Christian University (UCU) students, passionate about poetry, did just that in 2008. The poetry group named Azania at UCU was born. 

For 14 years, the faction has given students a place to express their talents. Once every year, there is a meeting of like minds for the group’s annual ritual, the Grand Azania – a concert of poetry, music, dance and drama – at UCU’s iconic Nkoyoyo Hall.

Mark Mulwanyi, a fourth-year student of Bachelor of Laws, performs as part of Azania.
Mark Mulwanyi, a fourth-year student of Bachelor of Laws, performs as part of Azania.

Whenever people gather in Nkoyoyo Hall for the annual event, ears stand still so they do not miss the craft from the presenters of poetry and music.

Since its formation, the group has been evolving, incorporating performing arts, such as music, dance and drama. Azania’s current president, Edwin Masingano, a fourth-year student of Bachelor of Laws, says poetry could have stood on its own, but that they thought the group could get better when accompanied by other creative productions. 

“When we incorporated music and art into Azania, we pulled another crowd which would not have known about poetry if it was all we did,” Masingano said.

He says he joined the group in 2018 when he came to the university. According to Masingano, the group not only gave students a platform to express talent, but also helped them transition with it into the real world. 

He adds: “Students can get opportunities of performing elsewhere through the group because they get the platform to showcase their talents.” 

Azania group members, such as James Tukupee, participate in weekly meetings, where they perform before other group members, for purposes of training and mentoring new students. 

“If you are performing four times a week, within six months, you will be better than you were at your first performance,” Masingano says. 

Azania also has a WhatsApp group, where members post their work for critiquing. It is through such engagements that students get opportunity to polish their craft. The group also conducts trainings before shows, so as to produce good quality work. Azania has taken part in several events, such as participating in guild and university activities through reciting their poems. It has also taken part in many inter-university poetry shows.

Gavin Mugisha, a fourth-year student of Bachelor of Laws, who is the group’s vice president, said the platform allows members to have conversations about life as they grow their talents. 

“I have been part of Azania for four years and it has helped me improve my talent as a singer. I now have a band that I manage, all because of Azania,” Mugisha says.

WATCH: Gavin Mugisha performing Heaven by Mark Mulwanyi at the weekly Azania meeting. 

For Mark Mulwanyi, a fourth-year student of Bachelor of Laws, Azania has helped him work through his stage fright.

 “I’m now more confident performing before a crowd; and it’s taught me how to engage with the crowd while performing,” he said.

Philip Bravo, one of the students who usually attends the weekly Azania meetings, says the group’s performances are great and inspirational.

“The fact that they encourage one to freely express one’s feelings through music, poetry and conversations that are opinionated makes one relate easily,” Bravo said. “I think more students should engage with Azania.”

Brian Kabogozza, a student of Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Communication and a member of Azania, says the group has “interesting, motivating and life-changing stories that build confidence and solidarity among the students.” 

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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 Twitter and Facebook.

Chat Leah Abasiya wearing one of her crotchet products

UCU nursing student braids student hair for a living

Faculty of Public Health, Nursing and Midwifery, News, Students


Chat Leah Abasiya wearing one of her crotchet products
Chat Leah Abasiya wearing one of her crotchet products

By Nicole Nankya
Chat Leah Abasiya is not a full-time hair stylist. In fact, she has not even attended formal training in hairstyling. But her skills would make anyone doubt these facts.  

For people who know Abasiya’s history, the exceptional crocheting and hair styling skills are not by accident. They are skills she has mastered after more than 10 years of experience. Abasiya, a Uganda Christian University (UCU) student from Nigeria, took advantage of the fact that her country allows girls to keep long hair throughout primary and secondary school to start learning hair styling skills since she was sure she had the market. 

The UCU student of Bachelor of Nursing says her mother encouraged her and her three female siblings learned hair styling so that they would practice on each other’s hair.

She further mastered the skill and earned money from it since she came to Uganda in 2017. When she arrived at UCU, she started by styling hair of only Nigerian students, many of whom were not comfortable with the way Ugandans braided their hair.

Then, one Ugandan came, followed by six. And that opened Abasiya’s door to braiding hair for Ugandan students.

“I believe that students don’t have much money to spend on their hair,” she said. “So, I charge a modest fee of sh15,000 to sh30,000 (about $4.10 to $8.20) per head.”

Gloria Okeke, a year-four UCU student pursuing a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, says Abasiya has been her hairstylist for the time they have known each other at the university.

“She is a good listener who puts in her best to ensure customer satisfaction,” Okeke says. Abasiya usually plaits students’ hair from her hostel room or, where need be, she travels to where the client is. For the latter option, she charges slightly higher, to cater for the costs of the travel. 

Abasiya ended up pursuing university education in Uganda miraculously. First, she says she did not know any university in Uganda. Kenya was originally her first choice for a country in East Africa, but she later settled for Uganda because of relative peace in the country. The 2015 attack by Al Shabaab on Kenya’s Garissa University made Abasiya and her family change their mind to studying in Uganda, after she did not get admission into universities in Nigeria for her preferred course of nursing.  

She also runs a YouTube channel, where she often posts information about what she does and her life in a Ugandan university. With all the demands of the nursing course, one wonders how Abasiya is able juggle the course and update her YouTube channel. Planning is the answer, she says. On days when she is free without lectures, she uses them for recording, editing and posting videos. Being on the media team in her church back in Nigeria gave her opportunity to learn how to edit videos.

“This semester, I am free on Tuesdays, so I record from 5 to 6 p.m., edit the videos at night and then upload them on Thursday mornings,” she said. Sundays are usually reserved for crocheting. 

For students who wish to do business while still at school, Abasiya has this counsel: “Have a passion in something and take action. Whatever you are passionate about, just go ahead and do it.”

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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 Twitter and Facebook.

Osborne Ahimbisibwe, secretary of the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Research Ethics Committee, notes that the committee is registered as the UCU Institutional Review Board on the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Office for Human Research Protection (OHRP) website

US departments recognize UCU’s research ethics committee

News, Students, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication, UCU School of Social Sciences


Osborne Ahimbisibwe, secretary of the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Research Ethics Committee, notes that the committee is registered as the UCU Institutional Review Board on the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Office for Human Research Protection (OHRP) website
Osborne Ahimbisibwe, secretary of the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Research Ethics Committee, notes that the committee is registered as the UCU Institutional Review Board on the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Office for Human Research Protection (OHRP) website.

By Kefa Senoga
The Uganda Christian University-Research Ethics Committee (UCU-REC) has been accredited by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Office for Human Research Protection (OHRP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Osborne Ahimbisibwe, the secretary of the UCU-REC, said the accreditation is as a result of UCU-REC’s success in fulfilling its professional duties that include looking out for privacy and protection of persons in studies. He said the ethics committee is listed on the HHS and OHRP website as the UCU Institutional Review Board (IRB), Number IRB00013492.  

Ahimbisibwe explained that funding agencies use the HHS and OHRP website to verify that an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Research Ethics Committee (REC) has an active registration. The OHRP provides leadership in the protection of the rights and well-being of human subjects involved in research conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services while FDA protects public health by ensuring safety of human drugs.  

“The accreditation means that if someone is coming from the U.S to conduct research in Uganda and they get approval from UCU-REC, the findings of their study will be recognized back in the United States,” Ahimbisibwe explained.

There are a number of Research Ethics Committees in Uganda that include the Uganda Virus Research Institute Research Ethics Committee (UVRI-REC), Mbarara University of Science and Technology Research Ethics Committee (MUST – REC), Nkumba University Research Ethics Committee (NU-REC), and the School of Medicine Research Ethics Committee at Makerere University College of Health Sciences, among others.

Ahimbisibwe explains that the UCU-REC on average does 200 protocol reviews annually and it’s mandatory for postgraduate students and other researchers outside academia for example clinical trials. He adds that membership of the committee is comprised of scientific and non-scientific members who are made up of UCU community representatives and non-UCU-affiliated members. 

Commenting on the development, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Rev. Prof. John Kitayimbwa, said that the accreditation is an important development for UCU, which intends to drive the agenda of research. 

A post-graduate student works in the UCU library, which is working to drive the agenda of quality research to increase global visibility and maximize impact of these studies.
A post-graduate student works in the UCU library, which is working to drive the agenda of quality research to increase global visibility and maximize impact of these studies.

“We are transforming the university from one that’s been majorly teaching to a research-led one,” he said. “However, in order to do research, especially where you have human subjects, you have got to do that work ethically.” 

Kitayimbwa noted that UCU’s REC ensures that the standards, which have been set in terms of the ethical considerations worldwide, are followed when dealing with human subjects in a research activity.   

Dr. Angela Napakol, a REC member and senior lecturer at the School of Journalism, Media and Communication, said the accreditation was not only vital in science-related research, but also in other fields, such as social sciences and humanities. 

Napakol noted one example of a researcher who is going to the field to discuss mental health and could bring up sensitive topics that may trigger trauma because of a past experience. If information is not acquired properly, including with sensitivity and respect, the questions can trigger a breakdown. Thus,  it is important to ensure that ethic practices are followed. 

“So, as REC, we want to make sure that the discussions between the researcher and the participants don’t trigger episodes of mental breakdown,” she said.  “That is why we put emphasis on ethical standards.”

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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.

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Evelyn Mugisha, a fourth-year student of Bachelor of Laws.

UCU student named best African Orator in continental moot court competitions

News, Students, UCU School of Law


Evelyn Mugisha, a fourth-year student of Bachelor of Laws.
Evelyn Mugisha, a fourth-year student of Bachelor of Laws.

By Agatha N. Biirra
Evelyn Mugisha had her first public speaking experience in Primary One at Kabatereine Memorial Primary School, Mbarara, in Western Uganda, where she contested for the position of head girl and won. From then on, she was a confident speaker. 

Now a fourth-year student of Bachelor of Laws at Uganda Christian University (UCU), Mugisha has found it even easier to take part in intellectual discussions. In the recently completed online John H. Jackson World Trade Organization (WTO) African moot court competitions on March 27, Evelyn Mugisha was named the best African orator.

Evelyn Mugisha and the team after the WTO moot court competition.
Evelyn Mugisha and the team after the WTO moot court competition.

Mugisha, alongside her team mates, Tracy Nagasha and Hannah Stacey Baluka, all fourth-year law students at UCU, represented the university and were among the best four teams in Africa that qualified for the global competition that will take place in Geneva in June 2022.

She says this is a great achievement for her that will open up many career opportunities. “Having that on a CV especially in the legal career is a big bonus point,” says Mugisha.

Having joined the competition in November 2021, Mugisha attributes the latest achievement to months of hard work as a team and her involvement in various platforms, especially debates. With guidance and an extra push from their trainers, it all paid off.  Among the trainers are Samson Wanambuko, a lecturer of law at UCU; Isaac Mpirwe, a tutor of law at UCU; and Peter Ahabwe, a UCU alumnus. Mpirwe who is also their lead coach, says it was a team of seven with some dropping off until the last three.

 “These three are very hardworking, brilliant and resilient ladies,” says Mpirwe.

This was not the first time Mugisha was representing UCU. She represented the university at the All Africa Moot Competition in her second year in 2020. The event that was supposed to happen in Senegal was conducted online due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown. In 2021, she represented UCU in Gulu at the annual Inter-university Human Rights Competition where she emerged the winner. 

Mugisha’s passion for public speaking and interest in diplomacy have pushed her to keep taking part in programs and competitions that help her grow. And just like every other thing, there is always a downside. Mugisha says her biggest challenge has been time.

“For this particular competition, it really steals time that I would have put into my academics,” says Mugisha. “It is very demanding and yet you have to be a good student. So, I have to balance with my academics which is not really easy.”

But Mugisha says the environment at UCU is ideal for self-growth and development.

“Generally, people are very receptive and responsive,” she said. “The general set up is not chaotic and so for me, I have been able to make wonderful friends among students and staff.”

Coming from a family where four out of six children are public speakers, Mugisha has been naturally drawn and molded to take part. She has full support of her parents, Alex Paul Mugisha and Annette Tumwikirize of Kamwengye district in Western Uganda. 

She also was molded by the schools she has attended such as Kabatereine Memorial School, Ibanda Town School and Maryhill High School, all in Western Uganda. Mugisha says she has taken advantage of the already existing programs such as the weekly debates and various school competitions. In her senior six, she represented her school in the National Schools Championship organized by Stanbic Bank in 2017 where she emerged the national champion. 

While at Maryhill High School, Mugisha was a deputy speaker for the School Council in O’level and Speaker in A’level. 

“Public speaking is a big part of who I am and what I do,” she said. “It made my leadership very easy and I found it really easy to fit into these positions.”

Mugisha looks up to her parents for they inspire her to go after what she wants, persevere and be consistent. “My parents have set a standard for me, so it’s really where I begin,” she said.

She also looks up to Martin Muhwezi, the team leader at Investors Club Uganda, a partner of Stanbic Bank and Barbara Kasekende, a former CSI manager at Stanbic Bank. Mugisha hopes to be a diplomat for Uganda someday. 

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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 Twitter and Facebook.

Ouma John Baptist, Guild President of LDC Mbarara campus

UCU alum elected Guild President of Law Development Center western campus

News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Law


Ouma John Baptist, Guild President of LDC Mbarara campus
Ouma John Baptist, Guild President of LDC Mbarara campus

By Ian Asabo
An alumnus of Uganda Christian University (UCU) has been elected the third Guild President of the Law Development Center (LDC), Mbarara campus.

John Baptist Ouma was only a student for a few days at the campus located in western Uganda when he heard of the process of nominating candidates for the post. He did not think twice before throwing his hat in the ring against three other contestants. He beat them all.

Ouma joins another UCU alumnus on the pedestal of guild leadership. Boss John Bruce became the Guild President of the main campus of LDC in Kampala on November 8, 2021.

Ouma (third-left) with some former UCU student leaders. Courtesy photos
Ouma (third-left) with some former UCU student leaders. Courtesy photos

LDC offers a postgraduate bar course, the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice, a mandatory course for all lawyers intending to practice law in Uganda. LDC is the only institution that offers such a course in Uganda. It has campuses in Kampala, Mbarara and Lira in northern Uganda.

Ouma’s former student colleagues at UCU have in the recent past achieved victory in elections. 

Ouma is fully aware of the challenges of being the Guild President. He acknowledges that it will be a daunting task for him to juggle the tight student schedule with leadership responsibilities and “making some tough decisions” as a leader. However, he is quick to add that he is mentally prepared for the challenges.

During his campaigns, he promised to be the medium through which students can pass to reach the administration to present their concerns as he tries to bridge the gap between the two parties. 

As he takes up the mantle, Ouma is aware that his leadership position can be used to launch himself into national politics after school. In fact, it is one of the reasons that propelled him to pursue the Bachelor of Laws course – he believed the course offers the best platform for “one to get the necessary knowledge before venturing into representation of people.”

While a student at UCU, Ouma served in the position of Prime Minister in the 2019 UCU guild government. 

Ouma says he did not have the money to finance his campaigns at the LDC Mbarara campus, but because he focused more on what he wanted to achieve, he easily raised funds from friends, especially the UCU alumni in the legal fraternity.

When Ouma joined UCU in 2017, he was appointed Class Representative for his Bachelor of Laws class. As a Class Representative, among many other duties, he was the link between students and the lecturers. He was later voted a student leader representing non-resident students at the university. 

Ouma has relished leadership since his formative years of education. He contested unsuccessfully as a leader in Primary Five at York Primary School in Bugiri district in eastern Uganda. While he didn’t succeed, Ouma says he picked up lessons from what did not go right in the contest. When he enrolled at Kiira College Butiki where he attended secondary school in eastern Uganda, he was elected a student leader. 

“The biggest failure is failing to appreciate that failure exists,” said the 24-year-old who hails from Namayingo district in eastern Uganda. “If you can’t take in failure, then success will never come your way because it is these hardships that we go through that make us better people.” 

He says no amount of obstacle should block someone from a dream, adding, “Let no excuse ever be too big an obstacle to stop you from pursuing …because you don’t want to have regrets down the road.”

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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 Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

(Left to right) Miriam Aceng, Assoc. Dean of the School of Law; David Bukenya, the acting University Librarian; and Jane Patricia Bako, the Communications and Prevention Manager at ICRC, at the handover of the books.

Red Cross donates humanitarian books to UCU School of Law

News, Students, UCU School of Law


(Left to right) Miriam Aceng, Assoc. Dean of the School of Law; David Bukenya, the acting University Librarian; and Jane Patricia Bako, the Communications and Prevention Manager at ICRC, at the handover of the books.
(Left to right) Miriam Aceng, Assoc. Dean of the School of Law; David Bukenya, the acting University Librarian; and Jane Patricia Bako, the Communications and Prevention Manager at ICRC, at the handover of the books.

By Derrick Muduku
Uganda Christian University (UCU) has received a donation of books on International Humanitarian Law from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Jane Patricia Bako, the Communications and Prevention Manager at ICRC, handed over the assortment of books to Miriam Aceng, the Associate Dean at the UCU School of Law, in late March 2022. 

“The donation comes to enrich the school’s International Humanitarian Law literature stock and to further enhance the knowledge base of students who undertake the course unit,” Aceng said.  “This is a great gesture. Our students are offered International Humanitarian Law as an elective in their fourth year of study.”

Books that were donated
Books that were donated

According  to Aceng, students writing their dissertations in line with humanitarian law and those who participate in international law moots and essay competitions will benefit from the donation. Some of the copies of the books will be at the School of Law for students to easily access, while the rest will be kept at the university’s main library.

The UCU School of Law is among the best in Uganda. The School’s students recently emerged the best in the country in a moot competition.

The School of Law received 200 copies of publications under the topic of the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949; 100 copies in the Protocols Additional to the Geneva Conventions of August 12 1949; one copy of a publication on how the law protects in war; and 50 copies on the subject of integrating the humanitarian law.

The school also received 10 copies under the Commentaries of the Geneva Conventions, 50 copies in Direct Participation in Hostilities and five copies of the Handbook of the Law of Armed Conflict. 

Bako commended UCU’s focus on international humanitarian law as a course unit, adding that her organization was ready to boost its effort in equipping students with knowledge within that field.

Joel Okello Oyet, the President of the UCU Law Society, said the donation comes as relief to the law students.

 “We have been facing challenges in acquiring books,” Oyet said. “Certain books are not enough for us. We are many students pursuing a course in law and towards exams, you find that only a reserve copy is left in the library.” 

Agnes Kabatooro, a law student who witnessed the handover ceremony, said she was looking forward to benefiting from the publications so that she can achieve her dream of becoming a lawyer who can impact society.

The donation is part of the ICRC’s effort to equip universities offering International Humanitarian Law with literature that would facilitate student learning.  The ICRC is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance. Among its mandates is facilitating the incorporation of international law in the curriculum of education institutions.

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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.

Panelists (from left) Syndia Chemutai, Ben Mwine, Dr. Livingstone Ssewanyana and Dr. Peter Mutesasira during the public lecture.

UCU law students urged to exercise freedom of expression with restraint

News, Students, UCU School of Law


Panelists (from left) Syndia Chemutai, Ben Mwine, Dr. Livingstone Ssewanyana and Dr. Peter Mutesasira during the public lecture.
Panelists (from left) Syndia Chemutai, Ben Mwine, Dr. Livingstone Ssewanyana and Dr. Peter Mutesasira during the public lecture.

By Israel Kisakye
Syndia Chemutai is an amiable person. Her demeanor has always won her friends, and the case was not any different when she became a Faculty of Law student at Uganda Christian University (UCU).  It is through her disposition that the lecturers at the Faculty of Law quickly learned of Chemutai’s love for the protection of free speech.

Her gift  of hospitality and openness about free speech importance contributed to her selection in April as the student to sit on a panel of discussants about the state of press freedom in Uganda. The talk, held under the theme The right to freedom of expression and assembly: Are we moving forward or backwards? was organized by not-for profit organization, African Institute of Investigative Journalism (AIIJ). 

Students and other visitors attending the public lecture in Nkoyoyo Hall
Students and other visitors attending the public lecture in Nkoyoyo Hall

To set the stage for Chemutai and her co-panelists to dissect issues of freedom of expression and assembly, the attendees were first shown Targeted, an AIIJ documentary detailing stories of journalists who were targeted by Ugandan security as they covered the presidential campaigns ahead of the January 2021 Ugana general election. The screening of Targeted and the panel discussion took place at UCU’s Nkoyoyo Hall.

To calm her nerves of sitting on a panel for the first time, Chemutai came armed with as much research as possible. Chemutai found several examples of incidents where rights to freedom of expression and assembly have been curtailed in Uganda. During her presentation, she urged authorities to exercise more restraint as they seek to respect the rights to freedom of expression and assembly as enshrined in Uganda’s laws, as well as international statutes. 

Others on the panel were Dean at the Faculty of Law, Dr. Peter Mutesasira; human rights scholar and lawyer, Dr. Livingstone Sewanyana; and media personality, Ben Mwine. The panel was moderated by investigative journalist and AIIJ executive director Solomon Serwanja.

This is one of the many debates that AIIJ plans to have at UCU. On March 7, their maiden debate was on women and investigative journalism, where an all-female panel of journalists and media scholars discussed press issues  under the theme Women and Investigative Journalism: An Untapped Opportunity. The discussion was held ahead of the World Press Freedom Day held every May 3. 

Dr. Mutesasira urged students to always take a step in expressing themselves in a respectful way. 

“If you cannot move, you cannot express yourself and if you cannot express yourself, you have no freedom of expression,” he explained, before emphasizing the need for students to speak up and defend others in a respectful manner, while aware that freedom of expression is not absolute.

Ssewanyana, who is the executive director of Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, a non-profit organisation, called upon the students to learn how to balance between freedom of expression and malicious statements. 

He noted that Uganda is facing a democratic backlash towards freedom of expression. “There has been an erosion of the freedom of expression in the last five years,” Ssewanyana noted. 

In 2019, the European Union Delegation in Uganda and the US embassy in Uganda issued a statement on restrictions to freedom of expression and assembly in the country. The statement indicated a series of incidents restricting the freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in Uganda.  

Panelist Ben Mwine urged the audience comprised mainly of law students, to widen their scope of thinking by reading more, in order to succeed in the world of work.

Juliet Nyakato, a third-year law student, said the lecture “widened her scope of seeing things.” “I have always known about freedom of expression, but I didn’t know that we must demand and express them. This has been an opportunity for me to learn this and other issues.”

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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 Twitter and Facebook.

Joel Oyet, new President of the UCU Law Society

UCU Law Society gets new leaders

News, Students, UCU School of Law


Joel Oyet, new President of the UCU Law Society
Joel Oyet, new President of the UCU Law Society

By Ivan Tsebeni
Joel Okello Oyet, a third-year student of Bachelor of Laws, is the new Uganda Christian University (UCU) Law Society President. Oyet polled 46% of the votes, beating his closest rival, Dorothy Akatukunda, who garnered 30.36% in elections that were held in March. 

Declaring Oyet the winner of the elections, David Waboga, the head of the electoral commission at the Law Society, said he was satisfied with the level of transparency exhibited in the polling process that was conducted virtually. 

“It has been a tedious task, but my team has done it with passion,” Waboga said, noting that the polling officials showed “a lot of endurance.” 

The announcement of the results threw Oyet and his campaign team into wild jubilation.

 “I cannot find the right words to express my excitement,” he said. “I’m grateful to the Law Society for entrusting me with the mandate of serving the students.”

Oyet noted that he was fully aware that every leadership position comes with responsibilities and expectations, but emphasized that he will seek to work “together to deliver.”

Joel Oyet shaking hands with Philimone Kitandwe, one of the people who contested.
Joel Oyet shaking hands with Philimone Kitandwe, one of the people who contested.

First item on his agenda is helping students who have challenges of paying tuition, Oyet said. 

“We are nearing the examination period but many students have not yet paid full tuition fees,” he said. “We intend to walk this journey together with everyone, to see that we all sit for exams.”

Asked how he intends to solve the problem, the 25-year-old said he would organize a campaign to solicit funds from other students to support those who were having challenges.

The campaign team of Dorothy Akatukunda, who emerged second in the race, conceded defeat and wished Oyet a successful term of office. 

“Thank you, the electorates, for standing with us up to the last day,” the message read. “Thank you, the campaign team. We also congratulate the president-elect, Mr. Joel Okello Oyet, upon the milestone. We wish you the very best in your term of office.”

The other three candidates who contested for the position were Edrine Maseruka, who got 5.8% of the votes, Oscar Derrick Wafula (7%) and Jonathan Philimone Agabba who polled 10%.

Fred Burondwa was elected Vice President, Susan Owomugisha got the Speaker position, while Solomon Esadu is the Deputy Speaker. In the elections, Gloria Atuheire got the General Secretary position. Others chosen are Sianah Nsubuga Namazzi (Publicity Secretary), Irene Nakamatte (Deputy Publicity Secretary), Hillary Fimarubo (Academic Secretary), Brian Ayebare (Finance Secretary), Ann Beatrice Nansubuga (Organizing Secretary) and Rone Trevor Kawuma (Deputy Organizing Secretary).

The Law Society outgoing President, Elizabeth Tumwebaza, said the electoral process was as transparent as it could be. “I have been praying for better progress, and I hope the new leaders that God has given us will serve the people well,” Tumwebaza said.

Who is Oyet?
Oyet was born to Jackline and Simon Oyet in Nwoya, a district in northern Uganda. He attended primary school at St. Francis Ntinda Kigoowa in Kampala, but sat the Primary Leaving Examinations in Nwoya, at Anaka Primary School. For his secondary education, Oyet attended Our Lady of Africa Secondary School Namilyango, Comprehensive College, and Naalya SS. 

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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 Twitter and Facebook.

Brigadier General Felix Busizoori (center), the new acting Commander of the elite Special Force Command (SFC) for Uganda, participates in the UCU student run with students that included Rachel Sserwadda (Guild President, at left) and Jonathan Kivuna (Guild Vice President, at right).

Brig. General applauds UCU for discipline

News, Sports, Students, UCU School of Business, UCU School of Medicine, UCU School of Social Sciences


Brigadier General Felix Busizoori (center), the new acting Commander of the elite Special Force Command (SFC) for Uganda, participates in the UCU student run with students that included Rachel Sserwadda (Guild President, at left) and Jonathan Kivuna (Guild Vice President, at right).
Brigadier General Felix Busizoori (center), the new acting Commander of the elite Special Force Command (SFC) for Uganda, participates in the UCU student run with students that included Rachel Sserwadda (Guild President, at left) and Jonathan Kivuna (Guild Vice President, at right).

By Israel Kisakye
Brigadier General Felix Busizoori, Commander of the Uganda elite Special Force Command, recently deviated from his oversight job of protecting the country’s top leaders to run alongside Uganda Christian University (UCU) students and give them kudos. 

The occasion was the annual Guild Run to raise money for tuition for needy students. Attired in lime-green vests sold for sh15,000 ($4 American) each, Busizoori and an estimated 200 others ran up to 8 kilometers (4 miles) for the cause on March 26. Busizoori’s remarks were made as part of his officiating role for the event. 

Busizoori, who has the main responsibility for guarding Uganda President Yoweri Museveni, applauded UCU for producing “well disciplined” graduates ready for today’s job market. He commended students for the focus on their studies vs. participating in strikes as students at other universities do. 

Guild Run participants in nearby Mukono town.
Guild Run participants in nearby Mukono town.

Previously, students have cited the “morals” that the institution imparts in its students as among  the reasons they opted to study at UCU. 

“Any health worker ought to embrace the values of servanthood and being God-loving, to help guide them in their performance,” Cherop Laban Sabila, a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery student, said last year when he was asked why, of all the universities in the country, he chose UCU.

The UCU Guild Run, which is meant to be an annual event, started in 2020. However, last year, it did not take place because of government restriction on crowds, following the destructive effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, the run was officiated by Rebecca Kadaga, who was the Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament at the time.

Other key participants at the March 2022 event included UCU Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Assoc. Prof. John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa, and the Dean of Students Affairs, Bridget Mugume. 

In the March 2022 event, the participants covered 8 kilometers (about 4 miles), starting at the UCU main pitch, running through Mukono town and its suburbs, and then back to the university. An estimated sh5 million ($1,346.8 American) was raised.

Frank Okello, a student of Bachelor of Child Development and Children Ministry, was the overall winner of the run. He covered 8 kilometers (4 miles) in 15 minutes. Okello said running is his passion, and that he feels treasured whenever an opportunity arises for him to represent his university at any marathon. 

Juma Kyaterekera, the coach for the UCU netball team, came in second, followed by Rosenior Kulang, a year-three Bachelor of Business Administration student. The top performers were given UCU paraphernalia, such as branded caps, T-shirts, calendars and keyholders.

Kitayimbwa thanked the student leaders for organizing the event, saying it showed that they are alive to the challenges that fellow students go through at the university.  

UCU Guild President Mirembe Rachel Sserwadda expressed appreciation to the university administration for allowing the activity.

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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 Twitter and Facebook.

UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication staff (left to right) Geoffrey Ssenoga, Francis Acaye, Proscovia Namyalo Sempugu, Frankiline Adeka, John Semakula, Prof. Ripley Lawrence Smith (Visiting Professor) and Prof. Monica Chibita after a training session in February 2022.

Prof. Ripley Smith: ‘Students who have Christ in their studies’ have an edge

News, Students, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication


UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication staff (left to right) Geoffrey Ssenoga, Francis Acaye, Proscovia Namyalo Sempugu, Frankiline Adeka, John Semakula, Prof. Ripley Lawrence Smith (Visiting Professor) and Prof. Monica Chibita after a training session in February 2022.
UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication staff (left to right) Geoffrey Ssenoga, Francis Acaye, Proscovia Namyalo Sempugu, Frankiline Adeka, John Semakula, Prof. Ripley Lawrence Smith (Visiting Professor) and Prof. Monica Chibita after a training session in February 2022.

By Muduku Derrick Brian
During his sabbatical from his duties at Bethel University in Minnesota in the United States, Prof. Ripley Lawrence Smith became part of the Uganda Christian University (UCU) community. Coming from a University that shares similar Christian virtues and beliefs, Prof. Ripley Smith was at home at UCU.

Prof. Ripley Lawrence Smith, a visiting professor at UCU ‘s School of Journalism, Media and Communication (JMC), had multiple messages during his visit with one advising journalism students  to stick to the elements of good story telling in the wake of changing technology and journalism practices.

“When you go out in the field,  the software will change but what will still remain  are the elements of good story telling no matter what channel you are talking to,” he said.

Prof. Ripley Lawrence Smith narrating about discourse analysis while at the School of Journalism, Media and Communication at Uganda Christian University.
Prof. Ripley Lawrence Smith narrating about discourse analysis while at the School of Journalism, Media and Communication at Uganda Christian University.

In a UCU podcast, Smith emphasized that journalism students should embrace new technological and audience trends and get acquainted with audio production skills as are their peers in the United States where many students prefer listening to podcasts over radio.

Smith, who is the Department Chair of Media Communication at Bethel University, explained more about why he is interested in UCU and why he came.

“I have a close relationship with Prof. Monica Chibita, and she invited me to come and do some seminars with the students here,” he said. “Also, I wanted to explore partnerships between my University (Bethel University) and the School of Journalism, Media and Communication here.”

Smith says that Bethel University has had a long-standing partnership with UCU, primarily with the nursing faculty where students and faculty members have been involved in an exchange program.

Smith, who has been teaching at Bethel since 2008, says he hopes  to do the same for journalism students. This exchange would engage students in writing and telling stories that can be documented as well as boosting research among students in the two institutions.

A renowned scholar, Smith who is familiar with discourse analysis, explains: “Here we are not interested in why people are saying what they are saying but what they do as they are saying it. It is a deeper-rooted form of research.”

He urges universities and other learning institutions to embrace discourse analysis that gives students a unique angle to understand what is taking place. He says that discourse analysis offers another lens in what is happening which one may not get without using this methodology.

He also hopes to produce a magazine with the help of students as one application of story telling programs. This would involve faculty and students of his university travelling out to various countries such as Morocco,  and working  with the local community to  co-produce a magazine and create stories. He believes this will enrich cooperation between the students of the two universities (Bethel and UCU) while building student resumes.

“This is one of the areas in which students can come and work with each other,” he said.

Smith acknowledges the challenges of media students in the United States. ”Our students in the United States are so used to short form story telling,” he said. “You find that a student wants to tell an entire story in a 90-second TikTok clip. They are narrowing their field of view of storytelling.”

He urges media students at UCU and in Uganda to embrace online journalism and to blend Christianity further into their education.

” If we study the world and keep God out of it, we are missing the motivation,” he said. “We are missing a whole slice of reality. Students who have Christ in their studies work hard and are trustworthy and such virtues give them an edge even in the job market.”

Prof. Monica Chibita, the Dean of the School of JMC at UCU, says that Smith is a committed journalist.

“I met him in 1993 together with my husband as we were teaching in Northwestern College,” she said. “He used to play football with my husband and he is passionate about integrating faith in his teaching.”

Chibita says that the School of JMC intends to work with Smith in such areas as qualitative research under discourse analysis.

“We are more than ready to work with him and tap into his vast tank of knowledge,” she said.

Prof. Smith  has research interests in social networks and socio-cultural adjustment, trust development in partnerships across cultures and organizations, international crisis intervention processes, and prophetic rhetoric.

A father of four daughters and a husband, Smith is an enthusiast of the classical guitar and has been involved in playing and coaching competitive soccer. A strong reader, one of his favorite books is The Passion of the Western Mind by Richard Tarnas.

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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 Twitter, and Facebook.