All posts by Patty Huston-Holm

About Patty Huston-Holm

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

Godfrey Loum will enthroned on November 21, 2021, at St. Phillip’s Cathedral, in northern Uganda

Loum: From grandmother’s bishop to Bishop of the Church

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


Godfrey Loum will enthroned on November 21, 2021, at St. Phillip’s Cathedral, in northern Uganda
Godfrey Loum will be enthroned on November 21, 2021, at St. Phillip’s Cathedral, in northern Uganda.

By Jimmy Siyasa
For a larger part of his childhood, Godfrey Loum’s grandmother called him Bishop. In fact, to immortalize the Bishop name, she named him after former Ugandan Anglican Archbishop Janani Luwum, in whose reign Loum was born. 

While the grandmother has passed away, her prophecy will come true on November 21, 2021, at St. Phillip’s Cathedral, Gulu district, in northern Uganda. Loum will be enthroned as the eighth Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Northern Uganda. 

Loum, who is currently the Vicar of Christ Church in Gulu, seems to be already prepared for the expectations. 

“It means from now on, I am going to be exposed and many people will be looking up to me, especially in the areas where I will be serving,” Loum, a Uganda Christian University (UCU) alum, said.  

The 49-year-old will take over from the Rt. Rev. Johnson Gakumba, who has been the bishop since 2009. The news of election by the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda was released in August.

Godfrey Loum
Godfrey Loum

Loum was ordained a deacon in 2007 and a priest the following year. Four years into priesthood, he assumed the role of chairperson of the House of Clergy, a position he holds to date. In the position, among his other duties, Loum is expected to convene meetings of House of Clergy.

During his tenure as bishop, the Rev. Loum looks forward to fishing more men. 

“I would want to see more people give their lives to Christ,” he said. 

Secondly, he hopes to bolster structures of the church in Gulu to be able to offer psychosocial support to members of the church and the community. 

From 1986, for two decades, there was insurgency in northern Uganda, arising from the atrocities of the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels led by Joseph Kony. Loum is targeting the people in the post-conflict northern Uganda, especially those who are still facing major depression disorders, to benefit from the psychosocial support program. 

Loum’s choice of program is not surprising. He specializes in psychology. Having both psychology and theological expertize is something Loum believes will help him understand people and their social environment better. Loum has authored a book on counseling – A Quick Guide to Premarital Counseling for Pastors and Couples.

Behind Loum’s rise to the apex of the Church of Uganda clergy is a series of events. While in secondary school at St. Joseph’s College Layibi, in northern Uganda, Loum was lured by a cousin into alcohol and smoking. He drank alcohol and smoked cigarettes so often that the habit became an addiction. 

Loum says he made several attempts to quit, but with not much success. For the few times he stopped, they did not last. 

Eventually, he found a spiritual remedy to his challenge of addiction. Loum went to church. On October 4, 1998, he did not only mark his 26th birthday, Loum also gave his life to Jesus Christ. 

“That day means everything to me,” he said. “It means a total turning point.” 

To this day, Loum is unashamed to share that difficult season of his life because of his strong belief in the power of testament. “If you let others know about what God has done for you, it offers great empowerment to them,” he says.

Loum graduated from UCU with Bachelor of Divinity in 2004. In 2019, he graduated with a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, also from UCU. That was his second MA, having acquired another in development studies at Cavendish University in Uganda a year before. 

Loum credits UCU’s training for preparing him to offer a double-edged ministry as pastor and counselor. He speaks fondly of Prof. Stephen Noll, the former UCU Vice Chancellor who was one of his lecturers, and the Rev. Can. Dr. John Senyonyi, who was the chaplain during the time of his undergraduate. Senyonyi eventually replaced Noll as the Vice Chancellor, a position he held from 2010 to 2020. 

Among Loum’s role models are Noll and Senyonyi – the former for his “deep knowledge of theology” and latter for his “oratory prowess that he often displayed on the pulpit.”

As Loum readies for his ordination in November, he looks back at his early life with nostalgia, especially about the conduct of his grandmother making it a point to call him her bishop, a prophesy that is about to pass. 

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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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First Lady Janet Museveni addresses the public lecture on October 20 through Zoom. At left is University Council Chairperson, the Rev. Canon Dr. Alfred Olwa, Bishop of Lango Diocese.

Uganda First Lady advocates for parenting seminars at UCU public lecture

News, Students, UCU Alumni


First Lady Janet Museveni addresses the public lecture on October 20 through Zoom. At left is University Council Chairperson, the Rev. Canon Dr. Alfred Olwa, Bishop of Lango Diocese.
First Lady Janet Museveni addresses the public lecture on October 20 through Zoom. At left is University Council Chairperson, the Rev. Canon Dr. Alfred Olwa, Bishop of Lango Diocese.

By Ivan Tsebeni
Uganda’s First Lady Janet Museveni has asked parents to be responsible and nurture their children to love God, arguing that such a move will reduce crimes in the country.

Mrs. Museveni, wife of Uganda President Yoweri Museveni, said many parents do not want to take responsibility for their children. She has called for more parenting seminars “so that we can let them know that educating their children is a shared responsibility.” 

During a recent virtual public lecture held at Uganda Christian University (UCU)’s Principal’s Hall, Mrs. Museveni urged listeners to make God’s word the foundation of their lives when it comes to issues of the family.   

Parenting in Uganda has faced challenges, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, where many schools have been shut since March 2020, with the exception of the months of March to May 2021 (when upper primary, secondary and tertiary institutions were open). 

According to Mrs. Museveni, because of deficient parental support during the lockdown, some children have been exploited by “wrong people” and now parents are blaming government. Different studies during the lockdown in Uganda have revealed an increase in the number of children who have been sexually abused during the lockdown.

During a televised address in September 2021, President Museveni announced that primary and secondary schools would reopen in January 2022 for in-person learning. Already, universities and tertiary schools were opened for in-person learning on November 1, 2021.  

In March 2020, Uganda closed schools for in-person learning to reduce the rate of the spread of the coronavirus. The shutdown on schools for in-person learning was lifted in March 2021, but reinstated three months later, after a spike in the number of infections had increased by 137%. 

Guest Speaker Lady Justice Catherine Bamugemereire gives her keynote address.
Guest Speaker Lady Justice Catherine Bamugemereire gives her keynote address.

During the virtual lecture held under the theme “Christian family in the postmodern era,” Justice Catherine Bamugemereire of Uganda’s Court of Appeal noted that the process of nurturing good children is under threat because marriages are increasingly becoming unsustainable in Uganda.

Bamugemereire said when she joined the Family Division of the High Court in 2013, before moving to the Court of Appeal, she found 50 divorce cases that had been filed. She noted, however, that the number of divorce cases being reported has almost tripled now.

Bamugemereire, who was the guest speaker, noted that one of the adverse effects of social media is people constantly looking up to celebrities for marriage advice, which has put many families on a slippery path because some of the celebrities also have challenges in their marriages.

UCU Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi advised Christians to stick to one wife

and husband for better and strong families as stated in Genesis 2:24. 

The Dean of the UCU School of Dentistry,

Vice Chancellor Aaron Mushengyezi speaks during the public lecture at UCU Principal’s Hall.
Vice Chancellor Aaron Mushengyezi speaks during the public lecture at UCU Principal’s Hall.

Dr. James Magara re-echoed Justice Bamugemereire’s view on raising children.

 “In homes today, both parents are now working,” he said. Regardless of how busy you are… raise your children deliberately, find out what they are up to, it may be a difficult time but you will overcome it.” 

Magara asked parents not to let schools and the Government to take over the responsibility of raising up their children. 

“Education is more about the family’s role than the state,” he 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 visit us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

First-year students wait registration at the Hamu Mukasa Library on first reporting day for in-person classes. Courtesy photo.

UCU welcomes students for in-person studies

COVID-19, News, Students


First-year students wait registration at the Hamu Mukasa Library on first reporting day for in-person classes. Courtesy photo.
First-year students await registration at the Hamu Mukasa Library on first reporting day for in-person classes. Courtesy photo.

By Joseph Lagen
For the first time in five months, Uganda Christian University (UCU) welcomed students on its campuses for in-person learning. The development follows a September directive by Uganda President Yoweri Museveni, allowing universities to commence physical teaching after education institutions were shut in June 2021, after a second wave of Covid-19.

According to an October 28 letter to all students and staff of UCU, Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi said freshly admitted first-year students who joined in September would report on November 1 for additional orientation sessions. Mushengyezi said the first-year students would then migrate to blended learning – online and in-person – starting December 4 before they sit for their exams from January 3 to 17, 2022.

Two freshman girls drag suitcases through the main gate to check into university halls of residence. Courtesy photo.
Two freshman girls drag suitcases through the main gate to check into university halls of residence. Courtesy photo.

“Continuing students who have been studying virtually will report on November 8, 2021, for face-to-face classes in a phased manner,” Mushengyezi wrote, noting that they will then take their examinations from December 4 to 17, 2021. 

UCU Communications Manager Frank Obonyo said the institution is not allowing all the continuing students at once because of “escorting potential health risk.” 

“We prioritized first years – the rest will have blended studies,” he said.

In early summer, Museveni directed all education institutions to close, starting June 7, to reduce concentration centers that the government argued were increasing infection rates of the pandemic. At the time, the Covid-19 cases in the country had gone up by 137%. It was the second time that education institutions were closed in Uganda as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. 

In March 2020, Uganda closed all schools to reduce chances of Covid-19 infection on learners. In October 2020, final-year students were allowed back to school for in-person learning as they prepared to take examinations. The rest of the classes, with the exception of lower primary, were allowed back to school for in-person learning starting March 2021. However, that excitement was cut short by a surge in the Covid-19 infection rate, necessitating the closing of schools in Uganda, again after only three months of opening. 

On June 18, 2021, the Ugandan government imposed a total lockdown on movement, with the Covid-19 positivity rate at 17% at the time. However, the lockdown was lifted at the end of July 2021, with many of the sectors of the economy being opened for operations. For the sectors that are still closed, such as the entertainment industry and bars, Museveni said in a televised address on October 28 that they will be opened fully in January 2022, whether people go for Covid-19 vaccinations or not.

According to the President, by the end of December 2021, the country will have received 23 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines of two-per-person for more than 12 million people, including 4.8 million frontline workers.

As UCU welcomes its staff and students for in-person learning, the institution has set up its university health facility, the Allan Galpin Health Centre, for vaccinations. The condition for in-person learning, according to Government, is that all institution staff and students above 18 years should be vaccinated. 

Despite the two lockdowns – of 2020 and 2021 – on education institutions, UCU continued with online learning. At UCU’s 22nd graduation ceremony held on October 22, Uganda’s First Lady and Education Minister Janet Museveni congratulated the institution for its “robust online education programme” and encouraged the university to share best practices with other institutions. 

At a recent virtual dialogue to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on academic institutions, Mushengyezi said UCU had invested in infrastructure of electronic learning and, therefore, “has something to share with other institutions.” 

Due to the robust online operations infrastructure, Obonyo said UCU was able to conduct online semesters, plus other virtual activities, such as virtual guild elections, conferences and pre-entry exams for students for courses in law, medicine and dentistry. 

The university has locally developed two online applications to supplement the use of tutoring e-services in its operations. These are the Alpha MIS for student registration and the E-Chagua, which the university uses during virtual elections. 

Among some of its other virtual activities, from October 14-16, the UCU Faculty of Journalism, Media and Communication (FJMC) hosted the 10th Annual East African Communication Association Conference. 

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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.

Mecca Akello, new student head at UCU Honors College

New Honors College president wants student-to-student mentorships

News, Students, UCU School of Education


Mecca Akello, new student head at UCU Honors College
Mecca Akello, new student head at UCU Honors College

By Gloria Katya and Ivan Tsebeni
Mecca Akello is the new president of Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) Honors College, which is a leadership training program that mentors and trains students with life skills, preparing them for survival in the competitive world.

Akello, a student of Bachelor of Arts with Education, beat two other contenders in the elections that were held virtually on September 23. Akello garnered 29 votes, beating her closest challenger, Samantha Atuhaire, who polled 25 votes.

“It was a tough race, but I’m glad I won,” Akello said, attributing her success to God. 

Mecca Akello, student of Bachelor of Arts in Education
Mecca Akello, student of Bachelor of Arts in Education

Born in the northern Uganda district of Kole to Benson Ongom and Grace Asio, Akello is the last of four siblings. She is no stranger to leadership. As early as secondary school, she was a students’ leader at Kole Secondary School.

In 2018, when Akello joined UCU, she was elected a class representative. She says that position paved the way for her to later join the university’s students’ guild government in 2020.

She believes that her most recent position as Minister of Education in the guild government will help her perform even better at her new role at the apex of leadership at the Honors College, which focuses on Christian mentorship, leadership and academic research. 

In her early days as president for UCU’s group of honors students, Akello wants to put in place a student-to-student program to help guide and mentor new students. 

“This will reduce the number of students who drop out of the college since the mentors will have been through the same struggles,” said Akello, who joined the Honors College in 2019 in her second year at UCU.  She also pledges to address the issue of tuition which she said is the biggest reason for student dropout.

“When I joined the college, I did not really know much, I was scared, I joined it with the intention of keeping the good academic grades,” she says, adding that the college has offered her more than she expected.

To join the Honors College, applicants must have at least a 4.0 Cumulative Grade-Point Average (CGPA) out of 5.0. The college offers talented students the opportunity to tap on their mettle through an extra certificate-program, alongside the regular bachelor’s degree course.

The college, which is the brainchild of Prof. Stephen Noll, UCU’s first Vice Chancellor, offers a multidisciplinary approach to scientific and social issues, which helps to enrich students’ projects and research.

Pamela Tumwebaze, the head of the Honors College, says that Akello is one of the students who recently had a wonderful research project. 

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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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Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Kaziimba, the UCU Chancellor, cuts a ribbon to commission the UCU SoD medical equipment donated by Midmark. On his right is Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi. On his left is Mark Bartels, UCU Partners Executive Director.

UCU Chancellor Kaziimba commissions School of Dentistry equipment

News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Dentistry


Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Kaziimba, the UCU Chancellor, cuts a ribbon to commission the UCU SoD medical equipment donated by Midmark. On his right is Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi. On his left is Mark Bartels, UCU Partners Executive Director.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Kaziimba, the UCU Chancellor, cuts a ribbon to commission the UCU SoD medical equipment donated by Midmark. On his right is Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi. On his left is Mark Bartels, UCU Partners Executive Director.

By Dalton Mujuni and Jimmy Siyasa
The Most Rt. Rev. Dr. Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and Chancellor of Uganda Christian University (UCU), on Thursday, October 21, 2021, commissioned medical equipment donated to the UCU School of Dentistry (SoD) by MidMark.

The commissioning served as an act of appreciation and official acknowledgement of use. More significant, perhaps, is that this ceremony signified that the SoD has overcome the threat of being closed down by regulators who in 2020 cited the facility for inappropriate infrastructure. The SoD’s new state-of-the-art equipment elevates the training facility, enabling it to nurture all-round dentists. 

The UCU Chancellor Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu prays over dental chairs donated by Midmark.
The UCU Chancellor Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu prays over dental chairs donated by Midmark.

In his remarks, Kaziimba expressed gratitude to the management of Mengo Hospital for accepting to house the University’s School of Dentistry. He called for respect towards the dentistry profession, saying whereas dentists do a great job in keeping teeth healthy, in Uganda, dentists are not as respected as other medical professionals and are even sometimes given demeaning nicknames.

At the event, UCU’s Vice Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, said more than $700,000 (over sh2.5b) had been injected into setting up the modern facility. Mushengyezi said the regulator, the National Medical and Dental Practitioner’s Board, recently inspected and declared the school capable of training dental professionals.

Mushengyezi also commended MidMark for donating equipment worth sh1.46b ($397,855)  through UCU Partners, a US-based non-profit charitable organization that raises public awareness about UCU in the United States by seeking material and spiritual support for students through sponsorships.

Kaziimba unveiled the equipment donated by Midmak during the event. The equipment includes dental chairs, LED dental lights, a separator tank assembly, powervac P7 base, powerair oil-less compressors and a Midmark M3 Steam Sterilizer.

“Dental equipment is very expensive, and so to be able to have five dental units, that is a very great boost for us as a School,” says Dr. James Magara, Dean, UCU’s SoD. “We are grateful to Midmark for a very generous donation that they gave to us, which is setting us on our way to begin training students in the clinical practice of dentistry.”

Dr. James Magara poses with dentistry school students.
Dr. James Magara poses with dentistry school students.

UCU SoD not only trains native students, but also those from other countries around the continent. The equipment arranged through the Uganda Partners NGO and coming from North America was long awaited when it arrived over the summer. Hence, Dr. Magara believes “the impact of the [Midmark] donation is going to be felt throughout Africa.” 

David Magara (not related to the dean), a fourth-year student of Bachelor of Dental Surgery, said: “This technology makes us unique, compared to students in other institutions, given that we will be equipped with the necessary skills to meet the demand of the international market.” 

The UCU School of Dentistry started in 2018 as a department under the School of Medicine. In 2020, the department morphed into a school of its own. The school currently offers the Bachelor of Dental Surgery, with 24 students and 10 staff members.

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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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Douglas Agaba poses in his graduation gown. Photo/ Jimmy

Agaba overcomes financial challenges to earn First Class Degree

News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Education


Douglas Agaba poses in his graduation gown. Photo/ Jimmy
Douglas Agaba poses in his graduation gown. Photo/ Jimmy

By Eriah Lule
Tough. Tense. Lucky. Diligent. That is how one would sum up the educational journey of Douglas Agaba, an October 2021 Uganda Christian University (UCU) graduate with a First-Class Degree in Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance.

Agaba, who was among the more than 3,000 graduates at UCU’s 22nd award ceremony on October 22, 2021, attributes hard work as the main factor in his attainment of a 4.5 of 5.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average.  The best student at the graduation, Sore Maureen, obtained 4.78.

While Agaba is jubilant about his success, the 26-year-old had rough patches in his education journey. Agaba was orphaned at an early age, resulting in his move from one relative’s home to another.  He struggled through school. Yet, each time when he was just about to lose hope, luck smiled on him.

For instance, because of his good academic performance, Agaba earned himself a high school sponsor. He attended Kisugu Primary School, Tropical High School and, later, Buloba High School – all these in central Uganda.

As he sat his Senior Six examinations, one thing was clear to Agaba. He would have no sponsor willing to foot the high tuition fees at a university. While working hard on his studies, he looked for a window of government sponsorship for the best students.

When the results of the admission shortlist in the public university – Makerere – were out, Agaba’s name was not among those who were to study on government sponsorship. He was despondent. As he waited for the next move, a retired Ugandan accountant who belonged to Agaba’s church learned of his dilemma.

Catherine Katwe did not hesitate to offer to meet the cost of Agaba’s university education. In 2017, he was admitted at UCU to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance course.

His tenacity, excellent leadership and resourcefulness is lauded by both classmates and teachers. Agaba was a class representative all the three years of his undergraduate study. He occasionally stepped in to hold academic group discussions for his classmates, to break down course units that his fellow students found too tough for them.

Nixon Katusime, Agaba’s former lecturer, credits his former student for being “ambitious and selfless.”

“He used to help me discuss some topics for his colleague students during online studies,” Katusime said.

Agaba’s strong desire to equip himself with all the marketable skills in the accounting field awakened the overwhelming talent in him. In a bid to supplement on his pocket money, Agaba started holding online private tutoring sessions in his field of study and, he says, many students even from other universities to receive his services.

He also engaged in research and filing tax returns for businesspeople at a fee. With the experience he has acquired, Agaba hopes to register a company to carry on with the services he has been offering.

As a student at the university, Agaba created time to teach at a secondary school on a part-time basis. He says much as he earned sh120,000 (about $35) per month, his passion for sharing knowledge kept him on the job.

At one point, Agaba also worked the night -shift at a filling station, a place he believes he learned the virtues of good customer care, self-discipline and willingness to work even in tough conditions.

Agaba believes that the high moral Christian virtues that UCU stands for is responsible for the success of many of its graduates and he has faith that it is just a matter of when he will also be a recipient of that success in his next job after school.

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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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Charlotte Kabaseke, Associate Dean, Faculty of Law

UCU New Associate Dean focused on ‘glory of God’

News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Law


Charlotte Kabaseke, Associate Dean, Faculty of Law
Charlotte Kabaseke, Associate Dean, Faculty of Law

By Ivan Tsebeni
In 2017, when Charlotte Kabaseke embarked on a PhD program, she knew that the path to victory would be rough, but did not know how rough. Had she known the challenges that awaited her in the course, Kabaseke says she would have opted out.

“It was not a bed of roses,” Kabaseke said. “The higher I went in my academic career, the more challenging it was and, in many cases, Christ was my only solace.” 

Because of obstacles, however, she said she had become “stronger, more resilient, more mature, more analytical, more courageous, more confident, more organized and more intellectually alert.”

It is that maturity and confidence that she exhibited at the interview to hire a new Associate Dean for the Faculty of Law at the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Kampala campus. And she emerged victorious.

The academic terrain she traversed during the time she pursued her Post-Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice in Uganda as well as for her doctoral degree was tough. The legal practice diploma is required to practice law in Uganda.

“The Post-Graduate Diploma and PhD journeys presented some of my life’s lowest moments,” she said. “My intellect was put to a true test during my pursuit of both journeys.”

Upon her graduation with a PhD in December 2020 at the University of Wuhan in China, Kabaseke posted on social media that she did not expect the kind of challenge she got during the program. 

In the role of Associate Dean, Dr. Kabaseke replaces Prof. George W. Kasozi, for whom a farewell ceremony was conducted during a community worship service, at UCU, on October 5, 2021. The position of Associate Dean is the highest in the faculty at the Kampala campus. 

She says Prof. Kasozi laid a firm foundation that she hopes to build on. Kabaseke says she intends to contribute to making the UCU Law Faculty and the entire UCU a better place “for the glory of God and for the satisfaction of all our clients.” 

Dissemination of knowledge through teaching, research and publication is the heartbeat of Kabaseke. 

“Seeing my students make it in life, as well as transforming communities through pro bono legal services gives me satisfaction,” she says.

Some of Kabaseke’s works are published in popular journals, such as Gender and Behavior, an interdisciplinary publication dedicated to articles that reflect psychological and behavior aspects of gender. 

One of her most popular publications is a chapter in a book titled Climate Change: Hazards and Adaptation Options, published by Springer International Publishing. Her chapter in the 2020 publication is titled Legal Recognition of Women’s Role in Combating Desertification in Africa: The Case For Uganda. 

Kabaseke holds a Master’s of Law from Makerere University, which she acquired in 2012. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Law from UCU in 2009, and acquired a Post-Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, from the Law Development Center in Kampala the following year. 

For her secondary education, Kabaseke attended Maryhill High School, a prestigious institution in western Uganda. Budo Junior School in central Uganda is where she had her primary education.

Before her appointment as Associate Dean for the Faculty of Law, Kabaseke was the Acting Dean and, before that, the Head of Department at the Faculty of Law at Bishop Stuart University since 2016. 

Kabaseke grew up in Kabale district in southwestern Uganda. She says her compassion, and love for Christ and the truth are virtues instilled in her by her mother, Birungi Specioza. When she is not engaged in academic work, Kabaseke spends time evangelizing, listening to gospel music, travelling, reading and making friends.

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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.

Najib Kabaala at his work place

Business-turned-security alum narrates how UCU prepared him for endurance

News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Business


Najib Kabaala at his work place
Najib Kabaala at his work place

Story and Photos By Jimmy Siyasa
Just like every shrewd business person, Najib Kabaala saw an opportunity and quickly took advantage of it. 

Some students needed salads during their meals in the Uganda Christian University (UCU) refectory. Together with a student colleague, Duncan Barasha, the duo started selling salads to students. They had made contacts with farmers, to sell them fresh vegetables. 

And this was not all. As a student of the Bachelor of International Business course at UCU, Kabaala turned many of his class assignments into business ventures. 

Another of the assignments which came to life was the business of selling confectionery like chocolate as well as chewing gum to the students. In a goodwill move, Kabaala and Barasha often donated a portion of their profits to the UCU Guild Fund to support financially underprivileged students.

Upon graduating in 2019, the duo started a company, KK International Business and Trade Advisory, which offered services of filing tax returns and business consultancy, among others.

However, in a drastic turn of events early in 2021, Kabaala got employed with a private security firm, Saracen Uganda Limited. 

“I never thought that I would take that direction,” he said “I expected to be doing international business.”

Kabaala narrates his sometimes-bumpy but successful journey from business to security. 

UCU business alum Najib Kabaala
UCU business alum Najib Kabaala

Throughout 2020, Kabaala was a volunteer with UCU’s Africa Policy Center, aiding with program coordination, among other tasks. However, the job was not financially stable and sufficient. And his infant company had not yet broken even. 

Circumstances forced Kabaala to accept a recommendation from a UCU lecturer to work at a security agency. He submitted his credentials, did the interview and got the job.  

However, Kabaala’s first experience preparing for the position left him a bit rattled. The venue was Garuga on the shores of Lake Victoria in central Uganda. Kabaala was sharply dressed. It was his first day, so he needed to make an impression. 

“When I arrived, the supervisor took my documents, put them aside and told me to join my colleagues,” he says.

The “colleagues” were a few meters away, doing morning drills in the lake. 

He took off his shirt, stayed in shorts and joined them into the water. Later, they sang chants, rolled on their backs and frog-jumped. They camped at Garuga, doing that, and several other physical exercises, for more than three months.

“The training was so intense that at some point, I wanted to drop out and go back home,” Kabaala says.

He strongly believes that part of the reason he soldiered on was because UCU, through its holistic approach to academics and individual’s development, had prepared him for that time when he would get to exercise his endurance in an unconventional environment as a graduate.

When he completed the paramilitary training and a management course, Kabaala assumed office as the Assistant Area Manager, courtesy of his degree qualification. He was posted to western Uganda, where he supervises hundreds of private security guards.

In his day-to-day operations, Kabaala gets to meet corporate company executives, such as bank managers, who wish to hire their security services. As he pursued his international business management course, Kabaala hoped to deal in cross-border trade of commodities. However, in his new role, he instead handles the transfer of weapons across borders, on behalf of his company, which has branches in other countries. 

Despite switching to security work, Kabaala’s business acumen has not withered. He still actively runs small businesses and hopes to enroll for a master’s degree at UCU when he gets the resources for tuition fees.

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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.

Vincent Kisenyi, newly appointed Dean of the School of Business at UCU

New School of Business Dean focuses on counseling, prayer, e-learning

News, Students, UCU School of Business


Vincent Kisenyi, newly appointed Dean of the School of Business at UCU
Vincent Kisenyi, newly appointed Dean of the School of Business at UCU

Photo and Story By Jimmy Siyasa
In mid-2021, Uganda Christian University (UCU) underwent a change of guard in many faculties. Vincent Kisenyi was one of those changes. Effective in May, he is the university’s new dean of the UCU School of Business. 

“I thank God,” he said. “It is a sign of confidence that I can still contribute to the university.”

The position is familiar ground for Kisenyi. The 49-year-old administrator held a similar position from 2010 to 2014, but at the time, it was the Faculty of Business and Administration. Now, it is the School of Business. 

Before that, Kisenyi had been the faculty’s Associate Dean from 2006 to 2009.

Flexible and visionary. That is how one of the administrators in the School of Business described Kisenyi. Martin Kabanda, the head of management and entrepreneurship at the School of Business at UCU, said Kisenyi has incredible human-relations skills. 

“He knows how to lead the team, without bruises, towards the school’s goals and objectives,” Kabanda says.

Kisenyi considers his appointment a gesture of confidence in him as the “messiah” to save the School of Business from impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. He is cognizant of the fact that many staff, students and sponsors have been affected by Covid physically, economically and academically.

“Because of the pandemic, many staff are anxious, have been either sick or fear to contract the virus; others are afraid of losing their jobs,” he said. Kisenyi has, therefore, been working, together, with his team of heads of departments to help staff who have been affected and infected by Covid. 

Some of the programs he recently instituted at the School of Business include counseling for staff, as well as lunch-hour prayer meetings. 

“We have seen God working wonders here at the faculty because of the intense prayer meetings we hold,” Kisenyi testifies. 

To ensure the faculty effectively manages Online Distance Learning (ODeL), Kisenyi, through the eLearning department, organized a refresher training for his staff as a way of re-tooling them to prepare for digital lectures. The students, too, were not left out. The school organized a virtual orientation for new students, to equip them with knowledge on how to study online.

Kisenyi says the School of Business will soon embark on community outreaches, especially within Mukono. These will be in the form of workshops, to share business skills with people operating businesses within the town. 

“As a School of Business, we want to have more impact on our community, more than ever before, he says. 

He also intends to work with business owners in Mukono, so that his students get placements in supermarkets and grocery shops as they learn business skills. 

When Kisenyi joined UCU in 2000, he was already a refined product, having cut his professional teeth at Kyambogo University, (1997-1999) and Uganda Martyrs University (1997-1999). From 2004 to 2005, he also lectured at Bugema Adventist University.

Under his academic belt is a Master’s in Accountancy and Finance from the University of Dundee, Scotland (1997), a certificate of doing business in Europe from Hanze University of Applied Science, Groningen Netherlands (2016), a Bachelor of Business Administration and Management, acquired in 1996, at the Uganda Martyrs University. 

During his free time, Kisenyi engages in sports. In fact, he is a former sports tutor at UCU. He is also the current vice president of both the Africa Woodball Association and the National University Sports Federation of Uganda.

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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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An engineer uses a grader to fix the clock tower on Bishop Tucker Building on September 6.

Clock installed on 100-year-old Bishop Tucker Building

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


An engineer uses a grader to fix the clock tower on Bishop Tucker Building on September 6.
An engineer uses a grader to fix the clock tower on Bishop Tucker Building on September 6.

By Ivan Tsebeni
Every 30 minutes, a clock on an iconic building at Uganda Christian University (UCU) is supposed to go “ding dong.” The sound of the bell on the clock on the Bishop Tucker Building is a reminder to the institution’s community that “time is moving.”

However, for nine years, no one at UCU heard the sound. The electronic clock, installed in 2007 to mark 10 years of UCU, malfunctioned five years later. 

As part of the 10th anniversary, the institution refurbished the Bishop Tucker Building on which there is a cupola that houses the clock. When the clock was installed, the wood housing of the cupola expanded and warped the clock’s face, so it stopped working.

Upon learning that the clock was no longer working, Prof. Stephen Noll, the first Vice-Chancellor of UCU, offered to buy a new one for the building. That offer was fulfilled over the summer of 2021 when Noll sent the clock through UCU Partners, a US-based charity that mobilizes financial support for the university. The organization supports UCU in providing scholarships to needy learners and supporting capital projects, including the UCU School of Medicine. 

“I understand that this time, the installation has avoided that flaw,” Noll said of what made the clock malfunction in 2012. It is the third time that the cupola receives a new clock.

The Bishop Tucker Building, which will be marking its centenary of existence next year, has a four-sided clock and bell tower, operated by a gigantic set of ropes and pulleys.

However, Noll says by the time he joined the university in 2000 as its first Vice Chancellor, the initial clock had not worked for decades. 

According to Noll, the Bishop Tucker Building is part of the heritage of the Anglican Church of Uganda and of Bishop Tucker Theological College, which was founded in 1913. 

“The building is one of the finest pieces of architecture in the country,” he noted. 

Noll said the sound from the new clock should always remind the UCU community about the importance of keeping time.  

“The clock reminds us that ‘my times are in your hands’ (Psalm 31:15),” Noll said. 

Welcoming the gift, UCU’s current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, said: “We have received a special gift from our first Vice Chancellor. It will be reminding us of (the importance of keeping) time and playing the sweet melodies as we celebrate our achievements. We are honored to have such a gift, thanks to Prof. Noll and the entire community of Uganda Partners.”

Mushengyezi said “the massive sound bell inside the clock tower, looks spectacular at night when the clock face is illuminated.”

The new clock has been welcomed by members of the university community. 

Cyrus Ayesiga, a student of Bachelors of Procurement and Management, said the clock will help them keep time while performing tasks at the university.

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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.

Some graduates who picked up graduation regalia ahead of the day pose in celebration. Photo/ Jimmy

Over 3,000 to graduate at UCU’s 2nd virtual ceremony

COVID-19, News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Business


Some graduates who picked up graduation regalia ahead of the day pose in celebration. Photo/ Jimmy
Some graduates who picked up graduation regalia ahead of the day pose in celebration. Photo/ Jimmy

By Yasiri J Kasango and Gloria Katya
A total of 3,368 students are slated to graduate on Friday, October 22, 2021, during the 22nd Graduation ceremony of Uganda Christian University (UCU). Janet Kataaha Museveni, Minister of Education and Sports, who is also a former graduate of UCU and wife of the Uganda president, will be the chief guest. 

This is the second time UCU is conducting a virtual graduation because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The first virtual graduation was held on December 12, 2020. 

This ceremony will have the highest number of graduates in a single graduation since the University’s inception in 1997. The students are graduating with diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, masters and PhDs in different disciplines. 

The total graduating population is made up of 1,711 females and 1,657 males. Of these, 95 excelled with First Class Degrees. A few of the students who garnered first class will have the privilege to attend the graduation in-person at the UCU main campus in Mukono district, central Uganda. 

The overall best student, Sore Moureen, scored a 4.78 Cumulative Grade Point Average out of 5.0. She receives a Bachelor of Human Resource Management.

Jonathan Mbabazi, a graduand who has achieved a first-class degree in Bachelor of Business Administration, was full of praises to God for the feat. 

“Despite all the challenges I faced, such as selling charcoal to raise school fees, I thank God for helping me complete and pass highly,” Jonathan Mbabazi said.

Another graduand, Marvin Charles Masoolo, who pursued the Bachelor of Public Administration and Management, said: “I always had a dream to graduate, though the outbreak of Covid-19 had threatened it. I’m going to the world to become a leader of economic transformation.” 

In observance of the Covid-19 guidelines, dictated by the Uganda Ministry of Health, UCU can host not more than 200 special guests, including students, parents, and University top management staff. These will include the Vice Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi; Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics, the Rev. Dr John Kitayimbwa; and David Mugawe, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration; as well as deans and heads of departments. 

The university administration has selected the best two students from each of the graduating courses to attend the event. The administration resolved to invite both a male and female student.  Unlike the previous graduations where a student would come with both parents, this time, the in-person student will only be allowed to come with one guest.

The graduation ceremony will also be graced by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu who also doubles as the University’s chancellor. Kaziimba is expected to lead a Commissioning Service at the graduation ceremony, where he will pray for the students and commit them to the Lord.

The event will be broadcast live on Uganda Broadcasting Corporation UBC TV for students who will not attend physically to follow the ceremony. The venue of the physical event will be the University’s main new soccer match pitch. 

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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.

A photo collage of the seven students of journalism at UCU FJMC and the two Ugandan mentors (bottom right) - Geoffrey Ssenoga, podcast team audio/visual consultant, and John Semakula, the UCU Partners communications coordinator.

UCU first: Students conduct podcast interviews

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


A photo collage of the seven students of journalism at UCU FJMC and the two Ugandan mentors (bottom right) - Geoffrey Ssenoga, podcast team audio/visual consultant, and John Semakula, the UCU Partners communications coordinator.
A photo collage of the seven students of journalism at UCU FJMC and the two Ugandan mentors (bottom right) – Geoffrey Ssenoga, podcast team audio/visual consultant, and John Semakula, the UCU Partners communications coordinator.

By Jimmy Siyasa, Enock Wanderema and Andrew Bugembe
A group of seven students at Uganda Christian University (UCU) has embarked on a podcasting mentoring project. The Hope Talks hands-on experience is a collaborative with David’s United Church of Christ in Ohio, and under the umbrella of the Uganda Partners NGO in Pennsylvania.

Two UCU podcast team members, top, and an African American woman, Noelle Anderson, in a podcast focused on Black Lives Matter.
Two UCU podcast team members, top, and an African American woman, Noelle Anderson, in a podcast focused on Black Lives Matter.

Within the project, students enrolled in the UCU Faculty of Journalism, Media and Communication (JMC) apply classroom learning to script podcast material, conduct interviews and edit audio. Twice a month, their work is uploaded on the David’s United Church of Christ Web site and is made accessible on various podcast sites. As of mid-October, UCU student-generated episodes have aired on the topics of mainstream media, racial discrimination, fake pastors and hate speech. Future topics, to date, include sickle cell anemia and the depiction of the life of Simon Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples. 

The plan is for students to generate up to 10 podcasts in the mentorship before launching an independent podcast at UCU in early 2022.  The podcast initiative is part of the UCU/Uganda Partners e-lab model initiated in January 2021 and is aligned with the university’s mission to prepare students for both continued learning and the world of work. 

“The quality of work coming from the e-Lab, including from the podcast team is really good,” Mark Bartels, the Executive Director at Uganda Partners, remarked when he visited Uganda recently. 

The number of people listening to podcasts globally has exploded from the time of inception in 2004. At least two million known shows and 48 million episodes had been published by April 2021, according to a research study conducted by Podcast Insight. The source reports that half of all USA homes have podcast listeners, and that “75% of the US population is familiar with the term “podcasting.”

The UCU team is supervised by Geoffrey Ssenoga, a seasoned broadcast journalist in Uganda who is also a lecturer in the JMC faculty, and Patty Huston-Holm, Communications Director for Uganda Partners. 

“I’ve been impressed by the student professionalism and honored to work alongside these aspiring journalists,” Huston-Holm said. “In today’s world of journalism and communications, it’s important to have skills in print, photography, audio and video. We are reinforcing all four through the e-lab at UCU.” 

The podcast team students speak highly of the mentorship program, saying its perks are plenty. With the knowledge they have so far gained, the students already feel it is giving them an edge over their classmates who are not involved. The students believe the podcasting work presents to them an opportunity to spot challenges in their communities and use solutions journalism to address them by delving in in-depth topical discussions with experts on the issues. Plus, they are remunerated for the work.

Nicolette Nampijja, one of the members of the podcasting team, says the work is the start of the achievement of something she knew she longed for, but did not know how to start. 

“I had always wanted to produce podcasts on my own, but I didn’t know how to go about it,” she said. “This is an opportunity for me to start out as a podcaster.”

One of the podcasts titled Hate Speech delves into how social media has awakened all manner of segregation and spawned hate speech globally. Dr. Sara Namusoga of Makerere University’s Department of Journalism and Communication provides her perspective about balancing self-expression with human respective and how hate speech might be apocalyptic.  

“I was especially impressed with the segment that engaged two UCU students with two African Americans discussing racial discrimination,” Huston-Holm said. “We had listeners from 10 countries on that one. A special treat was an impromptu rendition of an Aretha Franklin song (Think) at the end.” 

This is the first time a group of journalism students at UCU is being deliberately trained in broadcast journalism within a hands-on podcast context. John Semakula, head of UCU’s Department of Journalism and Media Studies, is the e-lab coordinator with oversight for the podcast. 

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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.

Photo of Okoku Obomba placed beside his casket at Nkoyoyo hall during funeral prayers.

Voice of Uganda’s broadcast icon Okoku Obomba goes silent

News


Photo of Okoku Obomba placed beside his casket at Nkoyoyo hall during funeral prayers.
Photo of Okoku Obomba placed beside his casket at Nkoyoyo hall during funeral prayers.

By Jimmy Siyasa
A master story teller and resourceful member of the Uganda Christian University (UCU) community has rested. Celebrated Ugandan broadcaster and academic Remegious Okoku Obomba died on September 25. He was 64 years old.

Obomba was among the founders of the UCU journalism and communications programs.  Until his death, he was the coordinator of internships at UCU’s Faculty of Journalism, Media and Communication, where he also served in the capacity of Senior Lecturer. 

Family of Remigious Okoku Obomba at the funeral service organized at UCU.
Family of Remigious Okoku Obomba at the funeral service organized at UCU.

Obomba played a pivotal role in developing the maiden curriculum for the Bachelors of Arts in Mass Communication at UCU, according to the Dean of the Faculty of Journalism, Media and Communication, Prof. Monica Chibita. 

During his decades-long tenure at UCU, Obomba taught several course units, including Effective Public Speaking, Introduction to Mass Communication, Broadcast News Reporting and Current Affairs, Media Theory and Media Literacy.

“He was deeply committed and dependable. To the best of my memory, Mr. Obomba never turned away an assignment,” Chibita wrote in her eulogy. “He took his work seriously. He was willing to teach unpopular course units like Media Theory, when other lecturers avoided them…he built bridges with the media industry as he coordinated our internship program for many years.”

One of Obomba’s daughters and a former student, Laura Cenge, breaks down while giving a speech at the funeral.
One of Obomba’s daughters and a former student, Laura Cenge, breaks down while giving a speech at the funeral.

Often dressed in loose-fitting wear, Obomba would come off as old-fashioned from the perspective of many students. Even if he had known that that is what they thought of him, Obomba cared less. His simplicity, however, contradicted the exploits he had made in his more than four decades of a journalism career.

Before joining UCU, Obomba worked at Uganda’s public broadcaster, Radio Uganda, where he rose up to the rank of editor.

Another founding member of the Department of Mass Communication at UCU, Dr. Jackson Turyagenda, narrated how they hatched the plan to start a journalism course at the institution. 

“We used to discuss most of the plans to start a course in mass communication at UCU inside a commuter taxi on our way home,” the 80-year-old Turyagenda said. 

Obomba’s youngest daughter, Lorah Cenge, was one of his students at undergraduate level. Cenge, who is currently working as a graduate trainee at UCU’s Africa Policy Center, told the mourners during a funeral service at UCU’s multi-purpose Nkoyoyo Hall how her father often encouraged them to pursue graduate studies. 

“My father’s death caught us all by surprise,” she added.

Background
Obomba has been married to Joanita Ngabiroch Obomba since 1986. The couple had nine children. Obomba and Joanita, both media practitioners, met at Radio Uganda in 1985. 

Obomba attended St. Joseph’s College Ombaci, in northwestern Uganda for O’level, before switching to St. Peter’s College, Tororo, in eastern Uganda for A’level. In 1981, he graduated from Makerere University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, majoring in international relations.

Five years later, Obomba enrolled for a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education at Makerere University. In 1994, he graduated with a Master of Arts in Journalism from Cardiff University in Wales, United Kingdom.

He was laid to rest on September 30, 2021, at his ancestral home in Nebbi district, northwestern Uganda. 

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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.

Aerial view of the 4.25 acres purchased by Engineering Development Fund members and UCU alum. The land is located in Lunnya Village, Namataba Township, on the outskirts of Mukono district.

UCU engineering alumni buy land for economic development

Faculty of Engineering, Design & Technology, News, Students, UCU Alumni


Aerial view of the 4.25 acres purchased by Engineering Development Fund members and UCU alum. The land is located in Lunnya Village, Namataba Township, on the outskirts of Mukono district.
Aerial view of the 4.25 acres purchased by Engineering Development Fund members and UCU alum. The land is located in Lunnya Village, Namataba Township, on the outskirts of Mukono district.

By Jimmy Siyasa
No land. No houses. Delayed marriages. These three are among the challenges youth in Uganda face. For one group, however, the obstacles were decreased by problem-solving social capital.

A meeting about how to overcome the challenges led in August 2020 to the birth of the Engineering Development Fund (EDF), an association of older students of the Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) Faculty of Engineering, Technology and Design.

Some Engineering Development Fund members inspect land they purchased.
Some Engineering Development Fund members inspect land they purchased.

Hardly a year later, the first challenge is no more. Twenty-seven members are now proud owners of 4.25 acres of land situated 20 miles away from Mukono town in central Uganda.

“We saved with the purpose of obtaining a big chunk of land and then subdividing it among ourselves,” says Paulo Kato, the project director of the fund. “Now, one year down the road, our efforts have paid off.”

Rugged roads, rocks, lush greenery and dots of mud houses are what welcomes one to Lunnya village, the home of the group’s newly acquired land.

The day most members of the group were shown the land coincided with an event – a prayer service to thank God for enabling the group to meet their first challenge. The members wanted a priest the bless the fruits of their labor.

The Rev. Moses Ssenyonyi, who led the prayers, commended members of the association for “being so visionary” that they invested in property in a remote area, with the hope that the area will soon become urban. Ssenyonyi is also an alumnus of UCU.

The chairperson of the village, Bernard Mutyaba, who attended the thanksgiving ceremony, welcomed the group, saying the land had been used for cattle grazing for a long time.

The land, purchased at sh42m (about $12,000) with each member contributing sh2m, has been subdivided into 30 plots, with each of the 27 members taking a plot.

“This is an important milestone for me as an individual, in my journey towards asset acquisition and wealth building,” says Kato.

Some members of the association
Some members of the association

“Ebenezer,” is what Elijah Kainginya says about the acquisition. “Who knew we would become land owners this soon?,” he added. “All the glory goes to God.”

The land has been surveyed and each owner issued a title for their plot.

Rodney Tumanye, the treasurer of the association, promised more of such investments, saying they are already in discussions about how to collect the next pool of funds from the members.

UCU offered members of the EDF not only a training ground, but also the opportunity to meet, unite and share visions for development after school. And that is the social capital that the members want to tap, in their quest to tame the remaining two challenges of no houses and delayed marriages.

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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, Facebook and Instagram.

Speaker of Uganda's National Parliament Jacob Oulanyah robes Ezra Ambasiize after he was declared winner.

UCU student voted Speaker of Uganda’s National Youth Parliament

COVID-19, Students, UCU School of Law


Speaker of Uganda's National Parliament Jacob Oulanyah robes Ezra Ambasiize after he was declared winner.
Speaker of Uganda’s National Parliament Jacob Oulanyah robes Ezra Ambasiize after he was declared winner.

By Dalton Mujuni
A Uganda Christian University (UCU) student has entered the annals of Ugandan history after being elected the speaker of the youth parliament in the country.

Ezra Ambasiize, a fourth-year student of Bachelor of Laws, has become the speaker of the fourth National Youth Parliament. The Parliament offers political and legislative space and serves as a creative advocacy vehicle that brings together young people in Uganda, as well as youth-focused organizations to amplify youth voices to lawmakers.

“I take this opportunity to thank God and the entire youth fraternity for entrusting me with the mandate of serving as 4th Speaker [of the] National Youth Parliament,” Ambasiize tweeted a day after his triumph. He beat off competition from two challengers, including Calvin Olupot, also a student from UCU.

Ambasiize’s election took place under the watch of the Speaker of Uganda’s legislature, Jacob Oulanyah.

The victory did not come easy for Ambasiize. He had to divide his time between class and travelling throughout the country, consulting and introducing himself to members of the

Ambasiize during campaign at Parliament
Ambasiize during campaign at Parliament

electoral college. And the campaigns were as intense as any would be.

So, why did Ambasiize choose to go through such, risking his academic performance at UCU?

“There is a big mismatch between the number of representatives of the youth at national level of policy formulation and their numbers in the country,” Ambasiize says.

He hopes to amplify the youth voices and advocate the implementation of ideas put forward by the youth, as well as use his position as a launch pad into national politics.

On the same day of his election, Ambasiize chaired the youth parliamentary sitting that passed four motions to be sent to the National Parliament for debate. The motions called on the Ugandan Government to address issues of “spiraling teenage pregnancies” and the reproductive health challenges faced by the youth. 

The youth also were cognizant of the destructive effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, urging the Government to put in place post-Covid recovery measures for young people and address the challenges affecting youth in business.

Standing are National Parliament Speaker Oulanyah (left), Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige (center) and Ambasiize (right).
Standing are National Parliament Speaker Oulanyah (left), Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige (center) and Ambasiize (right).

The corridors of leadership are not new for the bespectacled son of Bernard and Harriet Nuwagira. At UCU, he was the Deputy Prime Minister in the university’s guild government in 2019 and the Vice President in the institution’s student leadership of 2020. 

In praise of Ambasiize, UCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi described the student as a principled and disciplined leader who serves with integrity and diligence.

“In the previous year, he and then UCU Guild President Timothy Kadaga mobilized students to participate in the Guild Run, to raise funds for needy students,” Mushengyezi says.

In secondary school, Ambasiize was a student leader in charge of internal affairs at Mbarara High School in western Uganda. He also represented the school at the national association of student leaders.

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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.

FROM THE PAST: Some delegates of the 6th EACA Conference, organized by both Uganda Christian and Makerere universities in 2016, included Professor Monica Chibita (second from left), Dean of the UCU Faculty of Journalism, Media and Communication; and Professor Aaron Mushengyezi (far right), UCU Vice Chancellor, then a dean at Makerere. Courtesy Photo

UCU hosts East African communications conference with pandemic perspective

COVID-19, News, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication


FROM THE PAST: Some delegates of the 6th EACA Conference, organized by both Uganda Christian and Makerere universities in 2016, included Professor Monica Chibita (second from left), Dean of the UCU Faculty of Journalism, Media and Communication; and Professor Aaron Mushengyezi (far right), UCU Vice Chancellor, then a dean at Makerere. Courtesy Photo
FROM THE PAST: Some delegates of the 6th EACA Conference, organized by both Uganda Christian and Makerere universities in 2016, included Professor Monica Chibita (second from left), Dean of the UCU Faculty of Journalism, Media and Communication; and Professor Aaron Mushengyezi (far right), UCU Vice Chancellor, then a dean at Makerere. Courtesy Photo

By Jimmy Siyasa and John Semakula
How has the Covid-19 crisis impacted East Africa’s media industry and training institutions?  The pandemic and its necessary and mandated safety protocols have yielded constant dialogue to discuss solutions for a new-normal of problems that have daunted the media and communication landscape, in Africa and all the world, since March 2020. Information has been shared and strategies applied by scholars, researchers and policy makers.

Enriching the discussion and response, the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Faculty of Journalism, Media and Communication (FJMC) will host the 10th Annual East African Communication Association (EACA) Conference, October 14-16, 2021.  The theme of the virtual conference is “Re-imagining Media and Communication in a Pandemic Context.”

The 2021 event seeks to “explore how media and communication actors can re-imagine and redefine the future of journalism and communication through critical conversation on media and communication industry in a context variously impacted by the Covid-19.” Media and communication experts, researchers, academics, policy makers, regulators and media practitioners from East Africa and beyond will speak. 

The keynote presenters and their topics are: 

  • Professor Guy Berger George, Director for Freedom of Expression and Media Development at UNESCO, addressing “Freedom of Information in Light of Covid-19 Media Dynamics;”
  • Professor George Morara Nyabuga, scholar from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, addressing “Law and Political Landscape of the Media;” and
  • Joel Kibazo, formerly Director of Communication and External Relations at African Development Bank, discussing insights and foresights on the future of the media and communication.

According to Dr. Emily Maractho, the Director of UCU Africa Policy Center, who also is Convener of the Conference, as many as 40 other presenters will share perspectives and replicable models before an audience of roughly 100 professionals working in the fields of journalism and communications and academics as well as students, among others. The conference will generate research papers and presentations for publication in such scholarly journals such as the African Journal of Communication.

PREVIOUSLY: At the 2016 EACA Conference, Professor Aaron Mushengyezi (right), UCU Vice Chancellor, then the Dean School of Languages, Literature and Communication at Makerere University, shakes hands with Frank Tumwebaze, former Cabinet minister of Information and Communications Technology. Courtesy Photo
PREVIOUSLY: At the 2016 EACA Conference, Professor Aaron Mushengyezi (right), UCU Vice Chancellor, then the Dean School of Languages, Literature and Communication at Makerere University, shakes hands with Frank Tumwebaze, former Cabinet minister of Information and Communications Technology. Courtesy Photo

Patty Huston-Holm and John Semakula, director and coordinator, respectively, for the Uganda Partners communications e-lab, are among the presenters. They will explain how this virtual university-NGO collaborative works with tips for how the model can be replicated by other non-profits and higher education institutions.

Reinforcing the value of student engagement, Dr. Maractho said, “Young people need to be involved in such Conferences so that they can learn how the experts they encounter during the conference succeeded in the field of Media and Communication.”

She says the organizing committee has discussed an exclusively subsidized registration fee for students, especially for those in journalism and communication, both at UCU and around Africa.

“Hosting the conference is a sign of trust from communication academics in the region,” said Professor Monica Chibita, the Dean of FJMC at the university. “It gives us great opportunities to consider collaborative and comparative research across the region.”

That the 10th annual conference is happening virtually for the first time and UCU is hosting it is an indicator of confidence in the University’s E-service delivery capacity and infrastructure that has strengthened during the pandemic. 

“Opportunities to host such a huge conference elevates our branding, in that we are exposed to big, diverse networks of academics and institutions with whom we can create meaningful partnerships, because they now will know about UCU,” says Frank Obonyo, the Communication and Public Relations Manager at UCU.

More specifically, the conference also will attract regional publicity for UCU JMC not only as a giant at training world-class journalism and communication students, but also as an institution that continuously “re-engineers” themselves to meet the demands of the dynamic media industry.

EACA was established in 2011 to serve as a platform for media and communications experts, researchers, academics, policy makers, regulators and media practitioners in Eastern Africa and beyond. Since its inception in 2011, EACA conferences have happened in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. 

UCU FJMC hosted this conference in 2016 in collaboration with the Makerere University Department of Journalism and Communication. However, it is the first time UCU is hosting the EACA Conference as a Faculty as it previously was a Department of Mass Communication under the Education and the Arts Faculty. 

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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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The Rev. Can. Titus Barrack prays for a team of UCU staff members led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi during the UCU Sunday event at Namirembe, Kampala.

UCU Sunday collections to finance building of ordinands’ apartments

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


The Rev. Can. Titus Barrack prays for a team of UCU staff members led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi during the UCU Sunday event at Namirembe, Kampala.
The Rev. Can. Titus Barrack prays for a team of UCU staff members led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi during the UCU Sunday event at Namirembe, Kampala.

By Dalton Mujuni
There has been a silent challenge among a unique section of Uganda Christian University (UCU) students. And, perhaps, if the university management had not mentioned it, not many people would have known.

While preaching during a service on September 26, 2021, UCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi said some of the ordinands (person training to be part of clergy) who are at the institution are married and would wish that their spouses could visit them during weekends. However, that is not possible since they reside with other students. 

At the virtual service celebrated at Namirembe Cathedral in Kampala to mark UCU Sunday, Mushengyezi mentioned a solution. The university intends to set up an apartment section for the ordinands and the clergy who will be resident students at the institution. 

In fact, Mushengyezi said sh400m (about $113,000) had already been secured for the project that is estimated to cost sh1.5b (about $424,000). 

In 2017, the Church of Uganda designated the last Sunday of September as a UCU Sunday in its province. Every Anglican church is expected to make financial collections on the UCU Sunday, to help in the running of the Church-founded institution.

Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi delivers sermon during the UCU Sunday service at Namirembe.
Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi delivers sermon during the UCU Sunday service at Namirembe.

According to the Church, on this Sunday, “each and every congregation in the whole province will receive a representative of Uganda Christian University who will be given time to speak about the university. Congregations will be given time and opportunity for prayer and financial support to the university.”

Mushengyezi noted that the ordinands need a supportive environment while transitioning into professional evangelists. 

Premising his call to the church to support the project on Nehemiah’s story of building the walls of Jerusalem, under the theme, “Arise, let us build the walls,” (Nehemiah: 2:18) the Vice Chancellor challenged Christians to contribute anything they can, to build on the foundation of Christ Jesus.  Collections during this year’s UCU Sunday will go towards Mushengyezi’s call.

The apartment complex is expected to house over 50 student clergy and ordinands. 

At the same event, the Vice Chancellor pledged to improve the university’s relationship with the Church. He said the university intends to hand over a van to the Church relations office to enable its staff to reach out to churches located upcountry. 

The Rev. Capt. Can. Titus Barrack, while leading the virtual service, shared his memory of university life at UCU, characterized by “inconvenience,” saying he and others studying to be priests often listened to worldly music within their places of residence. He implored the audience to rally behind the cause.

The 2020 UCU Sunday was greatly hampered by the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on churches in Uganda. The implication of churches operating virtually meant that the church collections reduced significantly, hence little to no return to UCU. However, in 2018, UCU collections amounting to sh300m were injected into building the infrastructure at the UCU School of Medicine in Mengo, Kampala. 

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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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TAGS: News, Students, Theology, UCU Alumni

UCU sculptures and hidden meaning

Pictorial


By Ivan Tsebeni
In 2017, Uganda Christian University (UCU) was ranked among the top 50 most beautiful Christian campuses globally by the Christian Universities Online. In a 2018 survey, UCU’s main campus at Mukono was also ranked among the 10 most beautiful campuses in Africa. The university’s sculptures were a main contributor to the elevated status. Many are located in the Tech Park area, adjacent to buildings where art is taught. Patrick Natumanya, a lecturer at the Department of Industrial and Fine Art who has worked on many of the sculptures, talked about their meaning to reporter Ivan Tsebeni. 

  1. This sculpture at Tech Park was designed by a final-year student, Emmanuel Ekemu, in 2016. It signifies academic struggle. It is meant to inspire students to take up the academic struggle in order to transform their communities.

  2. The Tech Park area sculpture was designed by James Ocen Ambrose, a second-year student, in 2014. It symbolizes a discussion as a collective effort to ensure academic excellence. The sculpture is meant to guide and inform students to take part in academic discussions in order to succeed.

  3. The Tech Park structure was erected in 2002 by Abahu Yosia, an international student of art and design. It stands for strength in faith. It is meant to call upon people to have strong faith in Jesus Christ as their savior.

  4. This sculpture, also located in the Tech park, was designed by Amos Kutosi, a final-year student, in 2016. It is meant to instill academic focus and value among students.

  5. Patrick Natumanya designed this piece in 2014, in the Tech Park area near an honors college residence building.  It is meant to awaken the sense of concern and awareness in communities.

  6. Found in front of Sabiti girls’ hall of residence, this sculpture was designed by Christopher Lukwago, a third-year student of Bachelor of Industrial and Fine Art, in 2006. It symbolizes academic triumph and completion. It is meant to inspire women to strive harder to acquire and complete their academic journeys.

  7. The sculpture is located at the Guild offices, next to the Hamu Mukasa Library. It stands for co-existence. It is meant to inspire people to value every creature since we are dependent on each other. It was designed by Patrick Natumanya in 2015.

  8. Stationed in front of the university’s old library, next to the Bishop Tucker building, this sculpture symbolizes hard work and time management. It is meant to inspire students to respect and value time. It was designed by Patrick Tumanye, a lecturer at the Department of Fine Art, in 2002.
  9. This artwork is stationed in front of The Standard newspaper offices. It stands for parenting and is meant to inform the community that parenting is a joint effort of both parents. While designing this sculpture in 2001, Stephen Mabonga and Asiimwe Ephraim, students of Bachelor of Industrial and Fine Art, intended to use it to prepare students for the future role of parenthood after school.

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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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UCU art students painting the basketball court recently

UCU art students help renovate sports facilities

COVID-19, News, Sports, UCU School of Education


UCU art students painting the basketball court recently
UCU art students painting the basketball court recently

Story and photo by Ivan Tsebeni
Uganda Christian University (UCU) has taken advantage of the absence of students by embarking on the renovation of its sports facilities at the main campus.  The university intends to spend up to sh12m (about $3,400) in the facelift.

The money is expected to be used to buy paint, among other things, which will be used for a fresh coating on the basketball, netball and volleyball courts.

Speaking at the launch, UCU Vice Chancellor Professor Aaron Mushengyezi said the project also is intended to uplift the face of the institution, most especially in sports, through talent development.

“When we have the best sports facilities, it gives us an edge over other universities,” Mushengyezi said, adding that the institution has always been known to be a sports powerhouse.

UCU’s team was the 2019 University Football League champion, beating St. Lawrence University 2-1 in the final played at StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo in Kampala.

In the current facelift exercise, UCU administration chose to contract the institution’s Department of Visual Arts and Design, which hired its own students to execute the project.

“We are using our own students to help build their skills and capacity, as well as to support them financially,” the Vice Chancellor said.

Jamada Bikala, a lecturer in the Department of Visual Arts and Design, thanked the university for entrusting them with the project, noting that it is one way of testing the skills of their products.

“We have, over years, trained our students in this field, but we have not been receiving this opportunity to be assigned such projects,” Bikala said.

Traditionally, UCU has basked in the glory of her superb sport facilities. For that reason, it has often won bids to host major national and regional tournaments. Some of the popular tournaments that have been played at the Mukono campus include the Regional Inter-University Games of East Africa (2013 and 2014).

On March 13, UCU came to the rescue of the Uganda Athletics Federation by hosting the national athletics trials. The athletics body was contemplating cancelling the event after their usual venue, Namboole Stadium, was ruled out because it was a holding facility for Covid-19 patients. The other option, the Kyambogo University grass track, was being used by Uganda’s Electoral Commission during the general election that was taking place at the time.

Michael Kakande, the UCU sports supervisor. attributes such opportunities to UCU’s high quality sports facilities.

Jackson Ssekandi, a basketball player, calls the renovation a shot in the arm.

“We could not feel comfortable playing on such rough and unmarked ground,” he said. “It is better now.”

Kenneth Amponda Agaba, the UCU Guild President, said the facelift was an aesthetic necessity.

“Our sports facilities were not enticing due to the old look,” Amponda said. “This development will encourage more talented students towards sports.”

Vice Chancellor Mushengyezi said the university will be looking into adding a modern swimming pool to its array of sports facilities.

The Department of Sports had been closed ever since last year’s lockdown due to the devastating effects of Covid-19 in Uganda. However, it was reopened mid-this year and the facelift is a sign of the department getting back to life.

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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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Students waiting for vaccination at the sports department at UCU.

UCU vaccinates sports students ahead of major national leagues

COVID-19, News, Sports, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Business, UCU School of Social Sciences


Students waiting for vaccination at the sports department at UCU.
Students waiting for vaccination at the sports department at UCU.

Story and photos by Yasiri J. Kasango
As of early September, 50 Uganda Christian University (UCU) students who participate in sports had received their Covid-19 jabs.

The vaccination administration for nearly all UCU students on sports teams took place on the Mukono campus to enable these students to participate in the forthcoming major leagues in the disciplines of basketball, football, volleyball and netball. Some of leagues were expected to start as early as mid-September.

Speaking about the vaccination that was conducted by the Mukono district health officials, in conjunction with the university health team, Dr. Geoffrey Mulindwa, the Director of Medical Services at UCU, said the university management chose to prioritize sports students to protect them against the pandemic.

“They come into contact with so many other people during the games and, to ensure their safety, they were prioritized in the vaccination,” Mulindwa said. 

He advised both students and staff members who have not yet gone for the Covid-19 vaccination to do so. Many of the vaccination centers in the country are giving priority to teachers, non-teaching staff and students who are 18 years and above because government has pegged the re-opening of schools to sufficient vaccination.

Uganda started vaccination on March 10, but many people have not been able to get their jabs because of the few vaccines available. By the end of August, reports indicated that 1,376,986 doses of Covid-19 vaccines had been administered, especially to priority groups of teachers, non-teaching staff in schools, journalists, security personnel, medical workers and people with underlying comorbidities. 

Out of those, 977,889 people had received their first jabs and 399,097 have completed their two doses. Uganda has 44 million residents.

Students filling out consent forms before receiving the Covid-19 jabs.
Students filling out consent forms before receiving the Covid-19 jabs.As of early September, 50 Uganda Christian University (UCU) students who participate in sports had received their Covid-19 jabs.

The Mukono district malaria focal person, James Kawesa, who represented the district medical team at the vaccination at UCU, said people can only get back to their pre-Covid lives if the population gets vaccinated.

The UCU vaccinated students welcomed the initiative. Faith Apio, a student pursuing the Diploma in Business Administration and a member of the university’s female football team, the Lady Cardinals, said she sought vaccination in order to protect herself and others on the pitch. 

Cranmer Wamala, a third-year student of Bachelor of Human Rights, Peace and Humanitarian Intervention and a basketballer on the UCU Canons team, noted that he was eager to receive the vaccination so he can remain on the school team. 

He also noted that seeking vaccination would help him to continue with his studies.

Samuel David Lukaire, the head of the university’s sports department, said many of the national leagues were expected to start in mid-September. 

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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