All posts by Patty Huston-Holm

About Patty Huston-Holm

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

Hostel owners hike fees as UCU students return for physical classes


One of the plush hostels that accommodate UCU students

By Simon Omit and Yasir J. Kasango

The excitement was palpable on February 4, 2021, when Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni gave the okay for the physical return to school of learners, starting March 1. 

The permission for the return to school, which is expected to be in a phased-in manner, follows the October 2020 resumption of face-to-face learning of final-year learners, some of whom start their national exams in March 2021. Uganda closed all education institutions in March of 2020 to control the spread of the coronavirus, allowing on-line studies at mid-year. 

Hostel outside UCU Mukono campus gates

That excitement by Uganda Christian University (UCU) students about the resumption of in-person learning was, however, short-lived when they heard the news of the increase in fees by hostels located outside the campus gates in Mukono. In some cases, these hostels had increased their fees by over 70%. 

Inside the UCU main campus, students pay hostel fees per semester for accommodation in its halls of residence. At sh1.2million (about $330) to the university, a student gets housing as well as meals for the entire semester. However, the space in the halls is not adequate for all the students; hence, the need to seek accommodation in the hostels. 

In justifying the increase in hostel fees, hostel proprietors argued that they had spent a year out of business, and under Covid-19 guidelines can have fewer students in their facilities. Their income has suffered.  Having a smaller number of student residents in order to maintain social distancing has increased the demand for hostels around the university. For a few, it seems like an increase when actually the rent was reduced during a more restricted time and is now back to the previous rate. Many of the hostels announced their new charges in notices pasted on their gates.

Examples include: 

  • At Jordan Hostel in Bugujju, students now pay sh605,000 (about $164) per semester, up from the sh350,000 ($94.90) that they paid last semester. 
  • At St. Benedict Hostel, students will have to part with sh100,000 (about $27) more, up from the sh800,000 ($216) they paid last semester. 
  • For Ndagano Hostel in Bugujju, management has increased fees from sh400,000 (about $108) to sh600,000 (about $162) for a single self-contained room. New management said they renovated the hostel during the lockdown, rebuilding rooms to be self-contained.
  • The non-self-contained rooms, which previously cost sh300,000 (about $81) per semester at Luna Hostel in Bugujju, are now at sh650,000 (about $176). The hostel also charges sh850,000 (about $230) for the self-contained rooms, up from sh400,000 ($108) last semester.    
  • Orange Hostel is charging sh500,000 (about $135) this semester, up from sh300,000 (about $81). 

Ritah Kaitana, a student who resides in an outside-campus hostel, said the services have improved, which could justify the increase. 

“Previously, we used to fetch water from one stand tap in the hostel’s compound, but now the rooms have been fitted with taps,” she said.

The Benedict hostel manager, Jotham Kinene, echoed what other proprietors said – that the increase is intended to recoup the loses they incurred during the lockdown.  Charles Nabongo, the director of the Luna Hostel, said: “Last semester, we were considerate to the students because we were just emerging from the COVID-19 lockdown.” 

The proprietors of hostels are smiling, but most students are not.

Asaph Nsadha Lee, a student of business administration, said despite the increase in hostel fees, there is no innovation in the services offered. “I think the increment is because there are more students now, hence more demand for rooms.” 

 “The increase in prices would have been okay if we were living in normal times, but all of us have been hit by Covid-19,” said student David Awoko. “But hostel owners are still asking for exorbitant accommodation fees.” Awoko asked the university’s student leaders to engage with the hostel owners to reach a lower price compromise. 

UCU’s Guild President, Kenneth Amponda Agaba, called for calm among the students as the leaders engage hostel owners. 

Meanwhile, more students are weighing the less-expensive option of residing in university halls. 

“I will return to Sabiti Hall inside the university, where I know that after paying sh1,200,000, (about $335), I will have access to food and shelter, unlike in hostels where only the shelter is provided,” Janat Nalukuba 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, Instagram and Facebook. 

UCU course focuses on bird tourism


Crested Crane, one of more than 1,000 bird species in Uganda

By Dalton Mujuni

In 1907, British explorer Winston Churchill visited Uganda. His visit gave birth to his book, My African Journey, a year later. In the book, Churchill detailed the beauty of nature that he had met in Uganda. And that was not all. He also concluded that Uganda is, indeed, the Pearl of Africa.

And the African Wildlife Foundation confirms Churchill’s assertion. The continental wildlife body says Uganda has more than half of all the bird species in Africa. The Uganda Wildlife Authority puts the figure at 1,070 species.

Johnnie Kamugisha, an East African birding guide for more than 20 years, explains the birding industry to Martin Lwanga, at left.

The allure of Uganda’s birder paradise attracted the attention of the Uganda Christian University (UCU) School of Business, which recently established a course in birding. The new course, which will yield a certificate in birding, started on February 5. Up to 30 students in this first course are learning the economic potential of the birding industry, important bird areas of Uganda, professional bird guiding as a career, marketing bird watching locally and globally, establishing and running a birding tour company, and conservation and protection of bird habitats. 

 

The two-month course is part of the sh238m (about $65,000) grant that the UCU School of Business won from the Private Sector Foundation Uganda.

During the project’s recent info-day held at the university, UCU Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi said the university is the first in Uganda to offer higher education knowledge and skill for bird industry professionals. 

“This is a big step in building UCU to keep its might as the center of excellence in the heart of Africa,” Mushengyezi said.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Rev. Dr. John Kitayimbwa, said the birding course is practical and that it will enable tourism students and other interested learners to explore the industry.

 “We are reengineering the structure of tourism by recruiting industrial lecturers to whom students will be attached to study for one-and-a-half years,” he said.

Kitayimbwa also revealed that the university has put in place an online teaching infrastructure that will enable students studying the course to attend it from anywhere.  

The Dean of the School of Business, Martin Lwanga, said they have hired Johnnie Kamugisha, one of the country’s top bird guides, to train the first cohort of students.

During the info-day, Kamugisha showcased the cameras, spotting scope, notebook, sound recorder, binoculars, and bottles that he said he will be using while teaching the course. 

Lwanga said the new program is expected to create jobs for the UCU graduates. The UCU School of Business offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Hospitality, under which the birding course will fall, in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship.

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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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Excitement as students return for face-to-face classes


UCU returning students check in

By Dalton Mujuni and Ivan Tsebeni

With excitement, students returned to Uganda Christian University (UCU) after a year-long absence. For finalists, the face-to-face reporting for classes was February 8; for the rest, it was March 1, 2021. 

Their return to school follows the lifting of the ban the Ugandan government had imposed on all academic institutions in the country. On March 18, 2020, President Yoweri Museveni closed all academic institutions and banned gatherings, a move intended to limit the spread of the coronavirus. After a six-month lockdown, academic institutions were opened slowly to final-year students.

In January 2021, the government allowed universities and all institutions of higher learning to reopen in a staggered manner. Primary and secondary schools were also allowed to reopen, following the same pattern.  

University students had been allowed to study online, beginning October 2020. However, the online classes in many institutions were hampered by poor internet connectivity and inadequate skills among both learners and their lecturers.

Students in the queue for registration at UCU after returning for the Easter Semester

“It’s exciting to be back for physical classes,” Gloria Adikin, a year-three student of social work and social administration, said. Adikin returned to UCU mid-February for the Easter Semester that usually starts in January and closes at the end of April.  

Ruth Owomugisha, a second-year student of social work and social administration, said: “I have been missing friends, lecturers and the beautiful UCU compound…Home has many distractions that make reading and studying online difficult.” 

Marvin Sseruma, a third-year student of procurement and logistics management, said the face-to-face studies will enable him engage with his lecturers more. “Most of my course units have calculations in them and require face-to-face consultation,” he said.

Sseruma appealed to the university management to revise the operation hours of the library, to enable students catch up on lost time. He said an extension from the current closing time of 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. would create ample time for revision and research.

Rinah Mumpe, a second-year law student, said the e-campus that they were using for online studies lacked the social component of learning. 

“I was afraid I would fail to complete my assignments at the college if the university had not opened for physical classes. I am going to work tirelessly to accomplish my four papers, to be able to graduate on time,” Marvin Kaddu, a final-year student pursuing Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, said.  

The excitement of the resumption of physical classes at UCU spread to the students undertaking the Honor’s College Leadership mentorship program that has also been allowed to resume.  The new Head of Department at the Honor’s College, Pamela Tumwebaze, said students will be able to utilize all the resources in the university, to accomplish their assignments.

According to a memo to the UCU community dated February 8, the Vice Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, noted that all classes for this semester will be conducted in a blended manner – a mixture of online and face-to-face.

The university has been a hive of activity, with registration of students, training of staff in online teaching, elections for student leaders and campus beautification. The Easter Semester is expected to end by April 30, for the Trinity Semester to start in May.

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To support Uganda Christian University programs, students, activities and services, go towww.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.

UCU alumni athletes shining on national and international scene


By Lule Eriah and Jimmy Siyasa

While Covid-19 has severed sports in Uganda, including at Uganda Christian University (UCU), it’s important to recognize the role athletics play in shaping a well-rounded individual and, for some, propelling a career. The sports at UCU include football, rugby, basketball, volleyball, netball, handball, wood ball, and tennis. This pictorial depicts some successes of UCU sports alum.

Peace Proscovia (Courtesy of Sky Sports)
A four-time winner of the Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) netball player of the year award, Peace Proscovia was the first Ugandan to play professional netball in the United Kingdom. The captain of the Uganda national netball team is a multi-talented player of basketball, handball, volleyball, but more known for her exploits in netball. With her academic and netball roots in UCU, from where she pursued both a bachelor’s (2013) and Masters of Business Administration (2016), Proscovia is now a world class netball player. An April 2020 Sky Sports story describes her as “one of the best shooters in world of netball.”

 

Hasifah Nassuna
A third-year student of UCU’s Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, Hasifah Nassuna is a forward for both the Uganda national women’s football team, the Crested Cranes and the university team, the UCU Lady Cardinals. in the country’s women super league. At 22, Nassuna is a household name in Ugandan women football. Her agility and dribbling skills endear her to lovers of the game. Nassuna’s football prowess has seen her scoop several awards, including the Female Player of the Year award in the 2016 Uganda football association annual awards. At 86 goals, Nassuna is the country’s all-time top scorer.

 

Ruth Aturo
Having graduated in July 2019 with a UCU Diploma in Business Administration, Ruth Aturo notes that her parents have expressed their displeasure with her involvement in women’s football. They feel she will be more successful in another career. Despite the resistance, Aturo has soldiered on, with the captain of the national team, the Crested Cranes, being named the best goalkeeper of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) in South Africa. In 2018, she was Uganda football association’s female footballer of the year.

 

Fayed Baale
A student pursuing a UCU Bachelor of Business Administration degree, Fayed Baale takes no prisoners while on the basketball court. No wonder his impeccable performance and shocking spring power have seen him take flights to represent UCU in competitions overseas. At the time of writing this story, Baale was in Tunisia, with his club, the Silver Backs, for the Afro Basketball Championship, a continental tournament.

 

David Dkong
David Dkong has represented the university as part of the Silver Backs basketball club. “I used to play basketball for fun. It was when I started playing in the national league, while on scholarship from UCU, that I started playing competitive basketball,” Dkong said. “All I can say is UCU just showed me the worth of my talent.”

 

Paul Mucureezi
Paul Mucureezi is a player with Vipers Sports Club in Uganda’s premier soccer league. “I don’t regret studying at UCU because the university polished my talent, positioned me strategically and, now, I’m shinning at my club, as well as earning a living,” Mucureezi said in a phone interview. “I just didn’t know what the future held for me, until UCU threw the light to the direction that I needed. I’m grateful and humbled and if there is any need, I will not hesitate to show my appreciation to my alma mater.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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For more of these stories and experiences by and about Uganda Christian University (UCU) staff, students and graduates, visit https://www.ugandapartners.org. If you would like to support UCU, including the School of Dentistry, contact Mark Bartels, Executive Director, UCU Partners, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org or go to https://www.ugandapartners.org/donate/

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UCU men’s football team receive trophy for University Football league in 2019. Courtesy photo

UCU sports department struggles during pandemic


UCU men’s football team receive the trophy for University Football league in 2019. Courtesy photo
UCU men’s football team receive trophy for University Football league in 2019. Courtesy photo

By Lule Eriah

The strange silence at the Uganda Christian University’s sports department speaks volumes about how hard COVID-19 has hit sports activities in the academic institution. Usually, around this time of the year, activities such as the university football league and the basketball league as well as the interdepartmental sports activities keep the department busy. But that is no more, at least until the threat of COVID-19 is diminished.

On March 18, 2020, the government of Uganda imposed a countrywide lockdown that left all academic institutions in the country closed. The sports department has not opened since then. 

What have the people running the department been up to? 

UCU sports department with closed doors
UCU sports department with closed doors

“We are doing other things to survive,” said Cornelius Engwenyu, the head of the sports department at UCU. “My wife and I have a young family to take care of and when the situation normalizes, we shall come back and work.”

He noted that he and others have started small retail businesses and ventured into farming with crops, livestock and poultry “in order to survive.”

The sports department head said that despite the lockdown, the department is in touch with all the UCU players on WhatsApp. 

In October last year, universities were allowed to open for final-year students, but with stringent standard operating procedures.

UCU Director of Students Affairs (DOSA) Bridget Mugume said that due to COVID-19, the university suspended all the sports activities and halted staff contracts.

 “The university couldn’t sustain the sports and its administrators because it was financially struggling,” Mrs. Mugume said. 

According to the DOSA, the sports department takes 35% of the students’ activity fee, which the university could not raise. Mugume added that the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that the government asked the university to implement before taking players to the pitch needed more money to put in place. 

For instance, she cited the periodic mandatory testing of the athletes for Covid-19. The cost of a Covid-19 test in Uganda is a minimum of sh180,000 (about $50) per person. In some facilities, the cost is up to sh250,000 (about $68).

She noted that even if the university leagues open in the near future, the university’s participation will be determined by the capacity to raise funds for the activities. All the leagues where UCU participates on the national level, such as basketball, volleyball, netball, wood ball and women’s football are still suspended because of Covid-19.

The suspension of the sports activities also has affected students on sports scholarship. Engwenyu said the university has only allowed to continue paying tuition for the students who were on scholarship before the lockdown.

“However for the new players that are coming on board, the university can’t sponsor their education because of lack of funds and has stopped new entries to maintain the existing scholarships,” he said.

Engwenyu said among the country’s sports federations, it was only the Federation of Uganda Football Associations that gave footballers food during the lockdown last year. Uganda was under a lockdown from March to June.

The suspension of university sports activities has led the athletes to venture into other income-generating activities for survival. Former UCU guild sports minister and male football team captain for the Canons, Derrick Were, said many of the athletes have ventured into farming, trade and ICT. 

“Although we are still in contact with our coaches, it is difficult to maintain the fitness levels because we don’t have pitches to practice from, and the time,” Were added.

Fred Tuhaise, a midfielder on the UCU male football team, said he has started farming to support himself. 

“Covid-19 showed me that apart from football and school, I can do something else to earn a living,” he said.  “I am working hard to be one of the best farmers in my area.”

Hasifa Nassuna, a former national women team captain and the forward player for UCU Lady Cardinals basketball team, said due to lack of activity, some of the players are struggling to pay rent for the houses they occupy. 

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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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Entrance to Church of Uganda Hospital in Mukono – one facility that benefited from UCU equipment donations

UCU shares medical equipment with Mengo, Mukono hospitals


Entrance to Church of Uganda Hospital in Mukono – one facility that benefited from UCU equipment donations
Entrance to Church of Uganda Hospital in Mukono – one facility that benefited from UCU equipment donations

By John Semakula

Whenever songs of the late South African artist, Lucky Dube, are played, many music lovers in Africa strike a chord with them. One of the songs, The Hand that Giveth, makes lovers of his music go wild – not just because of the beats, but also the message in the lyrics. The message in The Hand that Giveth is derived from Acts 20:35, which says it is more blessed to give than to receive.

The most recent act by Uganda Christian University (UCU) is a replica of the message in The Hand that Giveth. The institution has shared a donation of the sh520m (about $141,488) medical equipment that it received recently from the US with three hospitals in Uganda – Mukono Church of Uganda Hospital, Mukono General Hospital and Mengo Hospital in Kampala. The three beneficiaries are UCU’s training partners for its medical and dental students.

The medical supplies and equipment was donated and transported to Uganda by MedShare, a US humanitarian organisation.

UCU’s Vice Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi; the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Mr. David Mugawe; Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics, Dr. John Kitayimbwa; and Dr. Edward Mukooza, the chairperson of the university’s health and safety committee, delivered the equipment to the hospitals.

The consignment included catheters, breast pump kits, blankets, abdominal binders, a Cook SP Tube Introducer Set, and PDB Kidney Shape Balloon. Also provided were applicators, antiseptic, swabs, Povidone Iodine 10%, cabinets, filing metal drawers, covers, face rest pad covers, disposables, thermometers, electronic probe, drapes, surgical and endoscopies.

At Mengo Hospital, UCU’s medical training school founded in 1897 by the Anglican Church, the consignment was handed over to the facility’s medical director, Dr. Rose Mutumba. Commending UCU for the gesture, she said. “UCU is walking the talk and we are excited about the fruits and the prospects of this partnership.”

At Mukono General Hospital, the donation was received by Dr. Robert Kasirye, who is in charge of the facility. Kasirye, too, expressed appreciation to UCU for the gesture. Part of the donation was delivery kits for expectant mothers. Statistics show that in Uganda, 15 women die every day from pregnancy or childbirth-related challenges. Many of the expectant mothers who die during child birth delay to reach hospitals after failing to get money to buy delivery kits, hence developing complications.

“We shall use whatever you have given us equitably to the save mothers,” Dr. Kasirye said, adding, “For long, we have had a good working relationship with UCU. The university’s program, Save the Mothers, built a shelter at this hospital, for expectant mothers. That is a plus for UCU and we shall continue working with you.” 

At Mukono Church of Uganda Hospital, the Diocesan Bishop, James Williams Sebaggala, who is the chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the hospital, received the equipment and supplies.

The prelate said he was glad to receive the donation at a time when they were looking for a Good Samaritan to donate the necessary equipment.

Assoc. Prof. Mushengyezi noted that the donations were intended to further cement the relationship between UCU and the hospitals. 

“We thought that as part of building our partnership in training students, we should support you also by providing some essential medical items that you need in your daily work, as you attend to patients,” he said. “We are here to show that we care for our friends by donating these supplies.”

Mushengyezi added that UCU’s first lot of medical and dental students who are in their third year now would soon be sent out for internships and asked the staff of the hospitals to accord them the necessary support.

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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 International students celebrate during the International Students Cultural week in 2019.

UCU student services reorganized as part of Covid cost-saving plan


UCU International students celebrate during the International Students Cultural week in 2019.
UCU International students celebrate during the International Students Cultural week in 2019.

By Grace Bisoke

Uganda Christian University (UCU) has made changes in the three offices that handle student-related issues under the office of the Director of Students’ Affairs (DOSA).

Largely as a cost-cutting measure, the university fused the previously independent international student administrator’s office, the guild record’s office and the Ugandan student administrator’s office. The Covid-related, government order to close education institutions in Uganda during 2020 grossly affected the purse of various establishments, including UCU. 

The Director of Students Affairs, Bridget Mugume K. Mugasira, said that in addition to cost savings, the fusion reduces the duplication of services. Previously, for example, there was a thin line between tasks handled by the guild records assistant’s and student administrator’s offices in regard to financial requests for students. The international student administrator’s office that focused on helping students from countries outside of Uganda is closed with that role assumed by the guild office. 

Reception area of DOSA office in 2020.
Reception area of DOSA office in 2020.

These changes made through the UCU human resource department, which could be temporary, resulted in loss of staff positions. 

“I feel sad to see some of the people under my office leave after we have built a strong relationship,” Mugume said.

While Tom Toboswa, the guild records assistant, said he stands more than ready to help the international students under the new arrangement, he likewise laments that others are without a job. 

The former international student administrator, Edgar Kabahizi, said it was not easy for him to leave his previous office, but he understands the re-organization need. 

“I ask the international students to support whoever will be working with them,” he said, adding: “I will also not be far away since I lecture at UCU. During the International Students Association (ISA) meetings, I will always be with them.” 

“He knew his job well,” said one beneficiary of the international services, Hellen Akek Marial, a student from South Sudan.  “He knew everything about that office and, even when was tired, he would never let his face show.”

Gracia Bwale, a third-year student of bachelor’s of mass communication from the Democratic Republic of Congo, said Kabahizi has left a big gap that will take time to fill. Bwale said Kabahizi was among the people who helped her fit into the university when she arrived. 

Another example of UCU’s fiscal responsibility plan is the introduction of the Management Information System (MIS). The MIS helps an individual perform tasks that were previously handled by other people, rendering some office positions obsolete. 

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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.

UCU alumnus ‘will not be intimidated’ as icon of justice


UCU lawyer and alum receiving award

(NOTE: 2004 Uganda Christian University graduate and civil rights lawyer, Nicholas Opiyo, was imprisoned in Uganda for eight days, including Christmas 2020. The charges were related to fundraising of the human rights’ nonprofit organization, Chapter Four Uganda, where he serves as executive director. Without access to Opiyo until his release on December 30, this story was written largely with information from sources outside Opiyo. Once released, he posted on his Facebook page his response to his written/spoken support. That response is at the end of this story.)

By Douglas Olum

The mention of the name, Nicholas Opiyo, rings a bell of justice and the struggle for protection and defense of human rights among many Ugandans.

As Diana Muhanguzi puts in her Facebook post, “I [first] met Nicholas Opiyo in the year 2016 when he was representing my father in court for free and he managed to get for him bail.”

In the same vein, Bryan Ksg, a medical doctor writes, “During our internship three years ago, [the] Ministry of Health brought up a draconian policy of bonding Medical Interns into work without any compensation at respective hospitals. Imagine working 24 hours as an intern without food or even rent! Counsel Nicholas Opiyo offered zero cost legal services to medical interns and helped us secure a Court injunction to stop this policy.”

In the words of a renown Ugandan columnist and journalist, Daniel K. Kalinaki, “Few lawyers spend as much time hobnobbing with the police trying to find ‘disappeared’ people, helping folks post bail or just press back against the overreach of executive authority [as Nicholas Opiyo does].”

Nicholas Opiyo, right, interacts with his client, Dr. Stella Nyanzi, during one of her trials in 2019
Nicholas Opiyo, right, interacts with his client, Dr. Stella Nyanzi, during one of her trials in 2019

Nicholas Opiyo, a 37-year-old, bespectacled Uganda Christian University graduate, is described by his colleague, Robert Kirunda, as “tall, dark, gentle, soft spoken and deeply caring. Selfless to a fault, and loyal in every way. Deeply reflective and thoughtful in every task and time. Never to shy away from a fight and yet as carefully strategic and methodical.” 

Opiyo is the Executive Director and Lead Attorney at Chapter Four Uganda, a civil rights charity. He is the recipient of German Africa Prize, 2017, UCU Law Society Alumni Human Rights Award, 2018, Voices for Justice Award from Human Rights Watch 2015 and the European Union Parliament Sakharov Fellows Prize in 2016. Until March of 2017, he was a member of the Team of Experts to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Peaceful Assembly and Association. He also is a visiting scholar at the Centre for African Studies, Stanford University, Calif., and the Global Health Program at the University of San Francisco (UCSF), California.

His work has over the years been characterized by a series of wins. But asked what the secret to his success was, he told The Independent Magazine journalist, Joan Akello, in a 2014 interview that, “I do not believe that there is any secret to my work except hard work, persistence and being able to take the walk along sometimes lonely legal roads. [But] I chase causes not a big cheque.”

Recently, Opiyo has represented the leading Uganda opposition politician and presidential candidate, Robert Sentamu Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), the controversial Makerere University academic, Dr. Stella Nyanzi, and many others he believes have been unfairly and illegally arrested and detained. He has been in the forefront for condemning actions of security operatives who torture and abuse Ugandans.

On December 22, 2020, Nicholas Opiyo, alongside three other human rights advocates – Herbert Dakasi, Anthony Odur and Esomu Obure – was abducted by plain-clothes, armed men from a restaurant in Kamwokya, a suburb of the Ugandan capital, Kampala, where they went to have lunch. Until late evening of that day, police said they had no clue about the arrest and did not know the whereabouts of Opiyo and his colleagues. But with mounting pressure, they later revealed that the four were under their custody. 

Nicholas Opiyo

Opiyo was charged on December 24 with money laundering and remanded to Kitalya Prison, while his colleagues were released. Prosecution alleges that, in his capacity as the Director of Chapter Four Uganda, Opiyo, on October 8, received $340,000 through the organisation’s account, “knowing at the time of receipt that the said funds were proceeds of crime.”

Chapter Four Uganda denied the claim. The arrest and detention of Opiyo attracted criticism from diplomatic missions in the country, Civil Society Organisations and the legal fraternity.

Partners for Democracy and Governance, a coalition of 14 diplomatic missions in Uganda, including the US, UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and the EU, among others, expressed concern over the arrest, saying that “Human rights defenders play an important role in every country and should be able to work without fear of arrest or reprisals, wherever they are.”

On Monday December 28, Opiyo re-appeared before a Kampala Magistrate via video conferencing from his detention facility, and he was further remanded until January 11. He, however, attained partial freedom on Wednesday, December 30, when High Court Judge, Jane Okuo Kajuga, who heard his bail application, granted him a Uganda sh15m ($4,104) cash bail.

Prior to his arrest, unknown people, suspected to be government security operatives, broke into Opiyo’s house and took his “laptop, phones, other electronics and several other items,” as his September 9 Twitter account states. Similar break-ins have been reported in various civil society offices in the recent years.

Chapter Four Uganda, posted on their Facebook Page, shortly after the arrest that at the time, that Opiyo was gathering evidence of the killing of more than 50 Ugandans in Kampala during a demonstration over the arrest of presidential hopeful, Robert Kyagulanyi around Mid-November.

As Daniel Kalinaki sums it up, “Officials whose capacity has been “built” under Western donor funding to the “Justice, Law and Order sector” go around hunting for people receiving money from abroad. The government is happy to beg and borrow… but will spear any citizen it finds in bed with the aforementioned partners…”

The first Facebook post from Nicholas Opiyo since his release expresses his appreciation for messages of support.  In part, the post states: “I am teary reading all of your messages… Thank you so much. We will fight these baseless and malicious charges. One thing is clear; we will not be intimidated. I will continue to do my work and defend the rights of the vulnerable and marginalized in our society… I can only repay your faith and belief by fighting on and continuing the work we have been doing over the years. I am undaunted by this minor inconvenience, rather inspired by 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

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Monkeys are a unique feature of Uganda Christian University.

Why UCU ranks among the 50 most beautiful Christian campuses globally


Monkeys are a unique feature of Uganda Christian University.
Monkeys are a unique feature of Uganda Christian University.

Story and photos by Esther Byoona and Jimmy Siyasa

The sight of monkeys freely swinging from tree to tree, shaking up and enlivening the evergreen foliage, is hard to miss for anyone visiting the Uganda Christian University (UCU) main campus in Mukono. The interaction between students and the monkeys plays out best on Sunday afternoons. Usually, part of the menu for students on Sundays are bananas – something the monkeys seem to be keenly aware of as the primates play like court jesters for a king, hoping to be rewarded with the yellow fruit. 

Monkeys are likely part of the reason why UCU was designated one of the 50 most beautiful Christian campuses globally in 2017 by Christianuniversities.org, an online independent resource. As if to buttress the findings by Christianuniversities.org, a year later, in 2018, timeshighereducation.com ranked UCU among the top 10 most beautiful campuses in Africa. 

UCU’s lush green terraces and beauty spots sometimes are dotted with mangoes and guavas that fall off the fruit trees. The fruits become food for the monkeys and various species of birds. 

The birds sometimes fly waist-high. They land with a peace that tells of their guarantee for safety. During the Advent semester, which happens during wet season in Uganda (September to December), the misty hills of UCU cut an impression of quasi-winter in Africa. 

This is the same period doves are seen in beautiful array, pecking at grains underneath the greenery, in front of the Nsibambi university hall. Viewed from the main gate, located at its extreme lower front view, the crown of Hamu Mukasa library also deceptively appears to have snowflakes dangling above it at dawn, during the wet season.  

Hamu Mukasa, the largest building on the UCU Mukono campus, houses the library.
Hamu Mukasa, the largest building on the UCU Mukono campus, houses the library.

Even when the dry season strikes, between February and June, UCU’s beauty does not fade with the weather. Magnificent buildings, such the Hamu Mukasa Library, stay stunning, in and out of season. The library is the largest facility in the university, covering 5,582 square meters. 

The Bishop Tucker building, which will make a century of existence in 2022, is another magnificent feature at the university. The building is belted by green ribbons of lush grass and well-tended flowers, on both sides of an isle made of ever-clean, concrete paving. The building, looking like a smaller version of the centuries-old Fiesole Cathedral in Italy, is the most iconic on the university main campus.  

Mariam Naigaga, a second-year student, pursing a Bachelor of Arts in Education, says UCU has such a beautiful campus that is conducive for learning.

“The garden near the university’s main gate is really beautiful and inviting,” Naigaga said. 

The Rev. Jessica Hughes, from the US, working with the chaplaincy and theology department in UCU, also praised the university’s beauty. 

The Bishop Tucker building that houses the UCU main administrative block, including the Vice Chancellor’s office, was built in 1922.
The Bishop Tucker building that houses the UCU main administrative block, including the Vice Chancellor’s office, was built in 1922.

“I admire the way the UCU campus is always improving and I love the beautiful garden that was put at the main gate, as well as the new developments coming up within the university,” she said. Hughes finds the UCU landscape beautiful.

Mary E. Chowenhill, a lecturer at the Faculty of Business Administration, said the variety of plants in the university gives a beauty to behold.

“The hibiscus in the UCU compound has beautiful flowers and originally was planted with the idea that the hedges would be flowers,” she said.

Despite being located within Mukono town, UCU sits on a huge chunk of land, thanks to former Buganda Kingdom Chief Hamu Mukasa, who donated it to the Church of Uganda in the early 1900s. 

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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 Post-Graduate Student, Prisca Nandede, and niece

American lecturer describes e-teaching experience in Uganda


UCU Post-Graduate Student, Prisca Nandede, and niece
UCU Post-Graduate Student, Prisca Nandede, and niece

By Patty Huston-Holm

On a Saturday and at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time and via Zoom, the niece of one of my Uganda Christian University (UCU) students in silliness stuck out her tongue at me. I playfully stuck mine back. Then, in a time zone eight hours later, Prisca Nandede, a sociologist pursuing a UCU Masters in Development, shooed away the niece and a younger nephew hanging on her neck, as we got down to business. 

Such is how I did my work – coaching doctoral and masters level students about writing and research – virtually in the Covid-restricted learning environment of 2020. 

It was a setback. I didn’t want to teach this way. 

Author/Lecturer Patty Huston-Holm teaching at UCU in January 2020
Author/Lecturer Patty Huston-Holm teaching at UCU in January 2020

The beauty of being on the ground, engaging an entire classroom and praying one-on-one with a struggling student was replaced with text in emails, unfamiliar names asking questions in an e-learning platform and faces blurred through wireless optics via Zoom across the Atlantic Ocean. The pandemic that beached me in the state of Ohio USA did the same but in closer proximity to other UCU lecturers and students.  

Misery does love company.  But as a volunteer faculty member, I took no solace in the worse suffering of my East African colleagues who were without teaching jobs or teaching with greatly reduced pay. Nor did I relish the shared desolation of students struggling even more to have jobs, put food on the table and access technology to learn and get a degree. 

We were in the same e-boat, keeping afloat as best we could.  

My course was optional – a seminar, actually – and free of charge to post-graduate students.  It was a research and writing seminar designed to help them with their dissertations and theses.  Since 2015, I lead the training in person alongside faculty within the UCU School of Research and Post-Graduate Studies (SRPGS). The summer of 2020 was to be a time to focus on a train-the-trainer model in which Ugandan scholars would assume greater ownership of this assistance to students and to their research supervisors.  

When leaving Uganda in February 2020 after seven weeks of face-to-face assistance in Mukono and Mbale, I promised Dr. Kukunda Elizabeth Bacwayo and Dr. Joseph Owor to be back in July.  As we exchanged hugs and smiles, we knew nothing about a deadly virus drilling into our countries with economic, educational and health consequences. 

Starting in mid-March 2020, the coronavirus changed life – and the delivery of education – as we knew it. In both the United States and Uganda, the emphasis was on a greater shift to on-line learning with the realization that the students most financially and technologically challenged would encounter the greatest obstacles. 

For my seminar, the content was much the same as what I delivered in person for six years. The focus was on guiding students through the components of the UCU Academic Research Manual with strategies for good writing, quality research and plagiarism avoidance mixed in.  My new delivery model involved 16 virtual lecturers on 20 different topics.  With eight lecturers from North America and eight from Uganda, we recorded subject matter experts in business, social work, theology, law, education, engineering and journalism, among others. Through YouTube videos of under 15 minutes each, they provided a real-world context for academic learning. We conducted live zoom chats with professionals.  We offered e-badges and e-certificates for students successfully completing the quizzes and short writing activities.

From mid-September to mid-December 2020, there were more than 100 students enrolled into the 24-7 e-seminar. Roughly half of those engaged in the content at some level.  Nine got certificates.  Five, including Prisca Nandede, took advantage of my free services as a virtual writing/research coach. 

UCU Masters in Development student, Prisca Nandede
UCU Masters in Development student, Prisca Nandede

During that Saturday Zoom session, we discussed Prisca’s research topic about how a woman’s participation in the economy impacts her spousal and overall family relationships. Prisca, in her early 40s and working with the Uganda Ministry of Water and Environment, also shared her passion for her job and her concerns about the health of some family members, challenges with technology in Uganda, fears of pre-election violence, remembrances of living in Mbale and Masende and her love of Christ. 

While realizing that quality is often more important than quantity, I shared my disappointment with student participation in the e-seminar. I expressed hope for better engagement in the next seminar – March 8 through May of 2021. I asked Prisca for advice to reach and help more students. 

For the students and their teachers struggling with on-line delivery, she said, “They need to understand that we all have to adapt (to change) at a certain point.” Concluding our one-on-one Zoom session before the ending prayer, Prisca, one of the UCU students who persevered (i.e. Romans 5:5 with a message of hope) to finish the pilot e-seminar in December, issued this reminder: “It all comes down to God – His plan for us.” 

I look forward to what He sets before me in this next 2.5 months. 

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For more of these stories and experiences by and about Uganda Christian University (UCU) staff, students and graduates, visit https://www.ugandapartners.org. If you would like to support UCU, contact Mark Bartels, Executive Director, UCU Partners, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org or go to https://www.ugandapartners.org/donate/

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Saracen security guards check a staff member's vehicle at the UCU main gate in Mukono.

UCU moves to outsource private catering, cleaning and security services


Saracen security guards check a staff member's vehicle at the UCU main gate in Mukono.
Saracen security guards check a staff member’s vehicle at the UCU main gate in Mukono.

By Dalton Mujuni

If you last visited the Mukono campus of Uganda Christian University (UCU) before December 2020, you will be surprised by the changes that have happened at the dining, security and cleaning departments.

Starting in December, the University outsourced support services in those three sections, eliminating UCU’s oversight to over 100 part-time and full-time staff. 

In a November 11 memo to the University staff members, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Mr. David Mugawe, noted that the changes were intended to cut down the administrative costs amidst the adverse budgetary effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. 

“This decision was made by the University Council after a consultative process involving University Management, academic and administrative leaders following a report by the Business Continuity Committee, which was set up in July 2020,” Mugawe wrote in the memo. 

The changes also were intended to save resources to increase the salaries of a smaller number of full-time staff especially after a recent promise by the new Vice Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, to raise salaries for full-time staff. 

While some previous staff members were able to re-invent themselves into entrepreneurs as part of the outsourced services, the changes left some staff members financially challenged.  

Dan Mubiru who was laid off from the cleaning department said the financial situation after losing his job became very hard to cope with since it was his main source of livelihood.

“I wish this had not happened during the pandemic period because my side businesses had also come to a standstill as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown that started in March, 2020,” said Mubiru. 

However, the new service providers have exhibited a high degree of standard and quality that both staff and students say the move to outsource was long overdue. 

The New Royal Hospitality Restaurant staff serve a customer.
The New Royal Hospitality Restaurant staff serve a customer.

Richard Ekadu, the manager of the new catering service, said effective January 5, 2021, the students’ Dining Hall transitioned into The Royal Hospitality Restaurant providing new dishes, and a wide service delivery to the entire University. 

Ekadu, who was previously in charge of the dining, was allowed to start a private company to provide the catering services under the new privatized arrangement. 

“I and three other directors of The Royal Hospitality Restaurant sat and agreed that our stakeholders – the students and staff – are royals and we ought to give them royal services, which is why we branded ourselves as the Royal Hospitality Restaurant,” said Ekadu.

He added that they will introduce Asian and European dishes to serve their customers better while pleasing international students and exposing East African students to new choices. 

Richard Ssekitoleko, a technician in UCU’s Information Systems Department, called the change “fantastic,” adding his pleasure with the buffet style that has an entre with salads, stew, ground nuts and greens. 

Some students who don’t live on campus also believe that the changes at the dining will reduce their burden of having to pay for expensive meals from outside restaurants. So far lunch at the Royal Hospitality Restaurant goes for sh3500 (about $1) a plate for students and sh5000 ($1.35) for University staff members. 

Previously, one would not be served food at the dining unless they had a meal card issued by the University, which was always expensive to pay for at once. But under the new arrangement, anyone can pay for a single plate of food.

Nixon Kamugisha, a technical assistant at the eLearning department, said the dining changes are a convenience. “I can verily say that the challenge of long-distance treks for lunch will no longer be existent,” he said. 

The University security services also were taken over by an outside source, Saracen Security Limited. Charles Nahamya the manager of Security Services at UCU, said Saracen is a trusted entity of UCU that has provided commendable security services at the Kampala campus for years.

Saracen’s regional supervisor for Mukono District, Emmanuel Kedi, said his company is humbled by the call to service by UCU and that they will provide safety to the best of their competence. 

A cleaner attached to Sevenstar Cleaning Company sweeps the University’s compound.
A cleaner attached to Sevenstar Cleaning Company sweeps the University’s compound.

The tender to clean the University premises at Main Campus went to Seven Star Cleaning Company. David Kivumbi, the Director Estates and Capital Projects at UCU, said that Seven Star cleaning Company also had provided commendable cleaning services at UCU’s Kampala Campus in Mengo. 

He added that there has been considerable improvement in sanitation at the main campus considering that the company does things that had never be done at UCU.

“These people have gone a step further by scrubbing walk paths, toilets, and also worked on places that had algae,” said Kivumbi.

Seven Star Cleaning Company is a well-established business entity owned by Rashid Kintu and is based in Kampal–Makerere Kampala on Ham Towers. 

A number of the previous staff members at the Cleaning and Catering departments were hired by the new service providers. 

Some students also have expressed their satisfaction for some of the new service providers. 

“The new security guards use a very sophisticated and effective form of radio call communication, which has strengthened security around the University,” said Mavin Kaddu, a second-year communication student. 

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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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(L-R) UCU Vice-Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi; Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu and German ambassador to Uganda Matthias Schauer leave the conference venue on February 5.

UCU hosts 2021 Church of Uganda head teachers’ conference


(L-R) UCU Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi; Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu and German ambassador to Uganda Matthias Schauer leave the conference venue on February 5.
(L-R) UCU Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi; Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu and German ambassador to Uganda Matthias Schauer leave the conference venue on February 5.

Story By John Semakula; Photos by Sam Tatambuka

French Painter Alfred Agache says, “Saying thank you is more than good manners; it is good spirituality.” Agache’s quote had added sense when Ugandan head teachers of educational institutions under the Anglican Church of Uganda committed to prompt payment of the foundation fee to the Church during their annual conference held at the Uganda Christian University (UCU) in Mukono, from February 3rd -6th, 2021

The foundation fees are paid in recognition of the role the Church played in establishing the schools, which are now managed in partnership with the government of Uganda.

Church of Uganda leaders and head teachers after the conference on February 5, 2021.
Church of Uganda leaders and head teachers after the conference on February 5, 2021.

Since 1887, the Anglican Church has founded and owns over 40% of Uganda’s schools – 2,000 pre-primary schools, 5,200 primary schools, 630 secondary schools and six universities.

The prompt payment of the foundational fee was part of the 14 resolutions the head teachers, under their umbrella organization, Church of Uganda Heads of Education Institutions Conference (COUHEIA), made at the conference.

They also resolved to uphold Christian values in their schools, by being exemplary and further agreed to be steadfast in the fight against Covid-19 in the Church-founded schools.

The conference that attracted over 100 participants from different parts of Uganda, was held under the theme, Improving Professional Training of Teachers for Better Learning.

The Rev. Paul Kakooza, the head of Church of Uganda’s directorate of education, thanked UCU for hosting COUHEIA’s annual conferences without attrition. Kakooza noted that the ambience at UCU makes head teachers look forward to attending their annual conference whenever they receive invitations.

“The natural beauty at UCU, punctuated with a well-designed landscape and buildings makes the university one of the most beautiful places to stay in,” Kakooza said.

He thanked the deputy vice chancellors in charge of academics and that in charge of finance and administration; the chaplaincy and the entire UCU team for the “splendiferous” working relationship during the conference.

The head teachers also congratulated UCU’s new Vice Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, upon assuming the office. Mushengyezi was installed as UCU’s third vice chancellor in August last year. He attended the opening and closing sessions of the four-day conference held at the UCU Mukono campus’ Nkoyoyo Hall.

Mushengyezi told the head teachers that UCU was ready to partner with them, to take short courses to Church-founded schools in a bid to impart more skills on the teachers.

He noted that the Faculty of Education and the Bishop Tucker School of Theology and Divinity had quality short courses that suit those who teach in high school.

The closing ceremony was graced by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu and the ambassador of Germany to Uganda, Matthias Schauer, who was the chief guest.

Kaziimba asked government to prioritize the teaching of Christian Religious Education and to support the section of the chaplaincy in schools. He also appealed to government to expedite the reopening of schools, arguing that the move will save young girls who are getting unwanted pregnancies during the Covid-19 lockdown in Uganda. Uganda Police records show that at least 547 girls were defiled in Kampala from April to July 2020, when the country was under lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Learners in the final years at the different levels of education in Uganda returned to school in October last year. Starting March 1 this year, those in Primary Six, Senior Three and Senior Five also will join those already at school as the rest continue with homeschooling.

Ambassador Schauer commended those who are teaching learners during the Covid-19 period, saying that he has “enormous respect for them.” He also urged teachers to be inviting to the learners since they are the latter’s role models in the absence of their parents at 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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Diana Hilda Ayikorus

One student’s dream to promote dental literacy in Africa


Diana Hilda Ayikorus
Diana Hilda Ayikoru, UCU School of Dentistry student, shares her story about her passion to be a dentist.

By Maxy Magella Abenaitwe

We may never truly get over a loss, but we can move forward and evolve from it. 

Diana Hilda Ayikoru, a third-year School of Dentisty student at Uganda Christian University (UCU), unveils a transformation story shaped by a loss in 2014. Two years after the death of her devoted, caring mother, Ayikoru realized that one must have a unique reason to live in a remarkable style that adds value to society. 

“Mother’s death opened my mind to understand that there is more to life than just a tedious routine,” she said.

Much as her mom’s death remains a sad occurrence, it unwrapped a new chapter for a daughter – one filled with bigger visions, self-determined decisions, and dental literacy. One of the big vision, independent decisions she made was a career path in dental health. Between her mom and  Dr. Aisha Bataringaya, a Ugandan orthodontist, Ayikoru felt pulled to learn more about dentistry. 

“There is more to dental health than just a daily brushing routine and plucking out of spoilt teeth like most Africans think,” she said, adding that the lack of access to dental information and facilities contributes to African dental illiteracy. Ayikoru’s dream is to promote good oral hygiene. 

 “Sometimes I look at someone’s teeth and feel something could have been done to save them by just creating awareness,” she said. “One can help improve oral health since dental complications can be bound or even handled before conditions worsen.”

Ayikoru says lack of dental awareness in Africa affects both the rich and poor.  Those with money for dental wellness and dental work often end up with complications because of inadequate equipment or untrained dentists. 

Ayikoru is glad she is studying dentistry at UCU.  In addition to a drive from the tragedy of her mother’s death, her decision to join UCU was influenced by some UCU alumni who told her that the University has great courses. 

“The kind of course units we study such as Christian Ethics and World Views have helped paint a picture of how best my dental sensitization dream will work,” she said. “Some of my friends in other institutions envy me especially when it comes to the student-lecturer relationship for my course. UCU lecturers know their students individually.” 

UCU started the School of Medicine with medicine and dentistry in 2018 to address the problem of smaller numbers of dentists and medical practitioners in Uganda. In 2020, UCU pulled dentistry out as its own faculty – School of Dentistry – to further accentuate the importance of dental health. The Ugandan government COVID-19 lockdown has slowed Ayikoru’s work toward becoming a dentist as she and eight of her classmates, who are the pioneers of dental surgery at UCU, were supposed to be doing year three practicals by now. 

Ayikoru’s peers are supportive of her aspirations. One, Rodney Wamala, describes her as a “lively, graceful and hardworking woman.”  Another, David Magara, echoes accolades, nothing that Ayikoru “is very inquisitive in class, asks excellent questions to teachers and always sits at the front.” 

“I am excited to feel the touch of dental equipment and have hands-on experience with patients in the training hospital,” Ayikoru remarks. “It’s interesting to be at the hospital and gain exposure to patients even before one can officially start work. It ignites the energy and zeal to work harder.” 

For more of these stories and experiences by and about Uganda Christian University (UCU) staff, students and graduates, visit https://www.ugandapartners.org. If you would like to support UCU, including the School of Dentistry, contact Mark Bartels, Executive Director, UCU Partners, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org or go to https://www.ugandapartners.org/donate/

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Three of UCU’s dental school students – working to complete credentials to meet the growing need for dentists in Uganda

UCU students pay ‘through the teeth’ to avert dental torture


Three of UCU’s dental school students – working to complete credentials to meet the growing need for dentists in Uganda
Three of UCU’s dental school students – working to complete credentials to meet the growing need for dentists in Uganda

By John Semakula and Jimmy Siyasa

“Some tortures are physical and some are mental, but the one that is both is dental.” That phrase is attributed to the late Frederic Nash, an American poet. 

Aziz Wamula, a third-year student of Mass Communication at the Uganda Christian University, relates intimately with Nash’s saying. The mental and physical torture emanating as he woke up one morning could not allow the 23-year-old any more time at home.

He went to the Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) Allan Galpin Clinic in Mukono for medical assistance. Wamula needed an urgent root canal treatment to ward off the constant pain. When he arrived at the medical facility, he hoped the pain he was undergoing would soon be dealt with. But he was wrong. The clinic did not offer the service he needed. Therefore, he was referred to Mengo Hospital, 32km (19.8 miles) away. There his woes continued as Wamula did not have the money that the hospital needed to treat him.

He, therefore, resorted to a dental facility about 5km (3 miles) from the university, in Seeta.   

“At the clinic, I neared the luck of having the root canal treatment at sh200,000 (about $54),” he recollected. The process began but before it was completed, the clinic encountered a power blackout with no backup generator. Wamula says the pain he underwent when the power was off forced him to ask the dentist to switch from his desired root canal process to extracting the tooth. For this switch, he got a refund of sh50,000 (about $13.5) and left with one less tooth. 

A deeper pocket eased the pain undergone by a fourth-year Law student at UCU, who preferred anonymity. She needed special dental treatment after her teeth got out of position. To correct the misalignment, the student needed to buy a brace and a retainer. When she inquired, she was told it would cost sh10m (about $2,700). The brace was to cost sh4m and retainer sh6m. The lawyer-to-be paid for the service, which was conducted at one of the dental facilities in Kampala. She now wears a metallic arc belting her ivory white teeth.

The amount that Okiror spent on realigning her teeth could pay her tuition fees for a full year at the university. Despite the fact that the service left her wallet dry, she is proud that her teeth are slowly getting back to their right and original alignment. 

Currently, the UCU’s Allan Galpin Clinic only offers dental extraction services within the sh70,000 ($19.02) that students pay for medical services every semester at the university.

UCU Student Esther Tusiime, telling her dental story
UCU Student Esther Tusiime, telling her dental story

The few students who have medical insurance are able to avoid the single option of losing a tooth and receive professional dental services. Esther Tusiime, a third-year student of journalism at UCU, is one of them. When Tusiime, like Wamula, developed a sudden excruciating pain in her gums, her mother’s health insurance bailed her out.

“The pain was so much that I had spent several sleepless nights before finally seeking medical treatment,” she recalled. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown that included school closings, Tusiime was home with her parents; they took her for specialised treatment at Mawano Dental Clinic in Kampala. 

“The dentist discovered that I had a tooth that was hidden in the gum and growing in the wrong direction, hence causing the pain,” she said of the diagnosis that included an X-ray. For the technical analysis and stitching of the gum, Tusiime paid sh600,000 (about $163) off her insurance. 

A majority of the Ugandan population, including UCU community members, do not have health insurance. This means that they may suffer with untreated dental diseases and permanent defects from bad breath to missing teeth and mouth pain. Some students narrate their experiences of having to sit next to a classmate who suffers from halitosis (bad breath).

The lack of funds to resolve dental issues is compounded with the low dentist-to-patient ratio in the country. According to the Uganda Dental Association, there is one dentist for every 142,000 Ugandans. 

Dr. James Magara, the Dean of the Faculty of the UCU School of Dentistry, said running a dental facility in Uganda is expensive because most of the equipment used and much of the sealants and fluoride are imported.

Dr. Zachariah Muddu, from the Allan Galpin Clinic, said UCU finds it fit to uproot the teeth because the standard dentist charge for the procedure, from within or without, is sh50,000 (about $13.6) – more than students can afford. Any student with the need for anything beyond extraction is directed to any of UCU’s referral hospitals. 

“When it comes to root canal-filling of the teeth, bills are picked up by the patient. Anything that involves elective measures calls for personal expenditure,” Muddu explained.

During 2020, the university created the UCU School of Dentistry and is currently equipping its training laboratories. It is hoped that this move could give birth to a dental clinic that can offer cheaper treatment services to members of the UCU community. 

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For more of these stories and experiences by and about Uganda Christian University (UCU) staff, students and graduates, visit https://www.ugandapartners.org. If you would like to support UCU, including the School of Dentistry, contact Mark Bartels, Executive Director, UCU Partners, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org or go to https://www.ugandapartners.org/donate/

Also follow and like our Facebook, Instagram pages. 

Dr. James Magara, Dean of Uganda Christian University’s newly designated School of Dentistry

UCU School of Dentistry Dean addresses equipment, training challenges


Early in 2020, the East African Medical and Dental Practitioners Council communicated to Uganda Christian University (UCU) a number of requirements for continued accreditation. Creation of a School of Dentistry independent from the UCU School of Medicine was one such condition that has now been met. The University appointed Dr. James Magara, a dental practitioner since 1988, as its Dean. Some of the content for the interview with the new dean was compiled in December 2020.  

Dr. James Magara, Dean of Uganda Christian University’s newly designated School of Dentistry
Dr. James Magara, Dean of Uganda Christian University’s newly designated School of Dentistry

By John Semakula 

What is your professional background?
I was in the pioneer class of dentistry at Makerere University and served as a teacher there in addition to being a dentist. 

What is the staff and student status of the UCU School of Dentistry?
Our plan initially was to incubate the School of Dentistry in the School of Medicine so we admitted students for the two courses at the same time. This worked because there are some common subjects for the two groups of students in the first two and a half years. They are basic and clinical subjects, which they (medical/surgical and dental students) do together. In the third year, the dental students branch out to do purely dental subjects. The students’ numbers are still small because the license we have only allows us to admit 10 students every year. In the first lot, there are nine students and in the second, they are seven. This coming year, as a separate School of Dentistry, there should be a full lot of 10. We also have a number of staff but because the pure dental subjects have not yet started, we are in the process of deploying a full-scale dental staff.

How is the School of Dentistry recruiting and retaining qualified dental staff?
For one, we are working with our partners abroad but the regulatory authority requires that you must have people in-country. We are considering running a post-graduate program so that we generate our own specialists. Once this happens, we don’t have to keep sending staff abroad for training as we can address the problem here. 

Dr. James Magara, UCU dean, School of Dentistry
Dr. James Magara, UCU dean, School of Dentistry

What is learning like in the COVID pandemic lockdown?
The first class, which is in third year, should be starting fulltime engagement with the pure dental subjects, but there has been a bit of destruction this year (2020) because of the COVID-19 lockdown and the eventual closure of the University by the government to mitigate the spread of the virus. We are resolving that, and we should be engaging our students in third year. They should begin their clinicals now. 

What does it mean to have an Independent School of Dentistry?
This is really good news for us. This is what we wanted from the beginning but the University wanted to delay the process as Makerere did in the beginning as its School of Dentistry was originally incubated within the School of Medicine. When we had the inspectors from the East African Medical Council visit us early this year, they insisted that the two schools should be separated and the University has successfully done this. I think this is the best situation that can happen to the future of dentistry in this country.  UCU has started much better, and I think that this will give room for growth and Ugandans should look forward to a very robust dentistry program.  

When do you plan to increase the students’ enrollment from the cap of 10?
I cannot make a statement on that, but the training of dentists is very expensive. It’s important that we have our feet firmly on the ground before we think of increasing enrollment.  

What are some of the challenges the School faces?
There are certain challenges with any pioneering group. Dentistry is capital intensive in terms of asset investments for the first 5-10 years. At the beginning, you have got to make sure that there is equipment and materials – basically getting the systems going. The other challenge is that we do not have enough trained dentists in this country so you find that when it comes to experts or specialists needed to train students, the country doesn’t have enough of them.  

Why should a student study dentistry at UCU?
First, the University has a strong commitment to ensure that students have very good exposure to modern dentistry. Second, the UCU Faculty of Dentistry’s teaching hospital has a very long history of teaching medical practitioners in Uganda. The University has a partnership with Mengo Hospital, which has a dental unit that has been running for over 40 years now; this unit has trained dentists with internships throughout Uganda. It is recognized as the premium place to go for hands-on dental studies.  

What is the ratio of qualified dentists to patients in Uganda?
I don’t have the figure off the top of my head but the number of dentists in Uganda is still very small. The qualified dentists in the country could be about 400 trained over time. We are not actually keeping up the number of dentists being trained compared to the population growth rate.  (According to an August 2019 article in the Daily Monitor, quoting the Uganda Dental Association, there is one dentist for every 142,000 Ugandans.  This compares to 60 dentists per 100,000 people in the United States.)

How has COVID-19 impacted on the training of dentists and practice in Uganda?
Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, we were locked down and the restrictions that were put in place by government to make sure that the spread of COVID-19 is curtailed have made sure that our university was closed. This has been a very big challenge in terms of teaching but also dentistry is a very practical course, which you can’t teach and practice without meeting people and touching them. This has raised very serious infection controls and questions that have not yet been fully answered. 

What are the overall challenges of training dentists in Uganda?
One is the cost of equipment.  Dentistry is a very practical course that you cannot train just theoretically. You need to have materials, and all these are imported. The second major challenge is training personnel. Thankfully, there is a lot that can happen in our digital age in terms of getting resources from elsewhere. 

How expensive is it to run a dental school in Uganda?
I don’t have exact figures but just think about the fact that apart from the tuition that students pay, you have got to buy materials and equipment that are all imported. Some of these can stay for a while while others are consumables and don’t stay for so long. Those things add to the cost of training a dentist. I also can say that the amount of fees that students pay for these courses are supplemented if you consider what it costs to train a dentist or a doctor. 

How is the job market for graduates of Bachelor of Dental Medicine in Uganda?
We are in a situation now where our population is moving more away from eating the natural foods. There is a lot more consumption of refined foods and sugars, which are creating a crisis of dental health in the country. But it is not as widely known as other life-threatening conditions.  I can therefore predict that the demand for dentists in Uganda is just going to continue growing beside the fact that the population is also growing. It outstrips the rate at which dental professions are being trained. So, the demand is there that anyone who sets up a good quality practice will be able to do well and anyone working in government hospitals will have a lot of work. 

The East African Medical and Dental Practitioners Council early in 2020 placed certain requirements on the UCU School of Medicine. What are some of the things the University did to comply with the Council’s conditions?
One of the things was to separate the School of Dentistry from the School of Medicine, and that has happened. The council was also very keen to see that the School of Dentistry is well equipped, which also is being addressed, plus staffing. UCU has actually done what was being required of it, and that is why our accreditation was continued.  

The Faculty is receiving dental equipment donated from the USA to boost training of students. Who is donating the equipment?
At the moment, we have firm commitment from an organization called Midmark in the United States donating dental chairs, and we are very grateful for them. These are very good quality chairs, which are on their way already. We do have UCU Partners in the United States; that organization is coordinating this arrangement. They also helped us get some chairs from China. This is critical and very foundational for any kind of dental school so we are very grateful. They have a very big heart to help UCU or parts of the world that are not well resourced as where they are.  

What is the financial value of the equipment?
I have not seen the figures yet but about the dental chairs, we are talking about tens of thousands of dollars. Especially those from the United States. It was a very generous donation.

How is the equipment going to help in training the dental students?
It’s foundational. Dentists have to be trained with equipment. I travel to parts of the country and someone tells me that we have a dental problem. I can see it and I know what to do but without the tools, I cannot do anything so having the equipment is very critical. Without them you can’t train a dentist. 

Do you have another word to the people who gave UCU the equipment?
We have a lot of heartfelt gratitude that the donors were able to see this need and also saw it fit to respond to it. When you train a doctor, you have actually invested in a lot of lives because that doctor if well trained will go on to work for a few more decades. They are going to save so many lives. So, this is what I see here–the people who have given so generously have sowed into the future for our children who are going to train. They will be treating our growing population and not only here. Such students end up serving different parts of the world and that is how those who have contributed will be rewarded. May the Lord richly bless them. 

What are some of the future plans for the UCU School of Dentistry?
We need to transition the School to one that is offering post-graduate programs and that is critical for research but also to building our teaching capacity and a pool of dental specialists in the country. Secondarily, in the long run we would like to see that we have a more purpose-built facility. We are adapting a facility that has been so graciously provided by Mengo Hospital and as we move into the future, we need to have one that is purpose-built for teaching of dental students. Lastly, we look forward to introducing other general courses that can still provide community service.      

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For more of these stories and experiences by and about Uganda Christian University (UCU) staff, students and graduates, visit https://www.ugandapartners.org. If you would like to support UCU, including the School of Dentistry, contact Mark Bartels, Executive Director, UCU Partners, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org or go to https://www.ugandapartners.org/donate/

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Some of the Uganda Christian University students benefiting from the Midmark equipment donation, outside a training building near Mengo Hospital, Kampala

Midmark donates $141,000 in dental equipment to UCU School of Dentistry


After several months of waiting, modern training equipment arrived in mid-February for use by the newly designated Uganda Christian University School of Dentistry. On February 19, 2021, Uganda Partners published a story on the big picture related to the equipment. This story, which was written in part in December 2020, narrows on the contributions specific to the USA-based Midmark and MedShare entities. Tomorrow’s story will highlight the new UCU dean for the dentistry school. The week will conclude with stories about students.

Some of the Uganda Christian University students benefiting from the Midmark equipment donation, outside a training building near Mengo Hospital, Kampala
Some of the Uganda Christian University students benefiting from the Midmark equipment donation, outside a training building near Mengo Hospital, Kampala

By John Semakula

Uganda Christian University (UCU) has received a consignment of dental equipment worth $141,488 (over sh520m) donated by Midmark, a USA-based manufacturer of medical and dental tools. 

The equipment was delivered to the UCU School of Dentistry in Mengo, Kampala, courtesy of MedShare, a nonprofit organization that helps send medical supplies and equipment to hospitals around the world. The equipment includes: five Ultracomfort dental chairs; LED Dental Light; Separator Tank Assembly, a Powervac P7 Base; Powerair Oil-less Compressor and a Midmark M3 Steam Sterilizer, 230V.  

The Dean of the UCU School of Dentistry, Dr. James Magara, described the donation as generous, critical and foundational in setting up a dental training lab. UCU started an independent School of Dentistry in the middle of 2020 and is in the process of equipping its training laboratories.   

“We have a lot of heartfelt gratitude that the donors were able to see this need and also saw it fit to respond to it,” Dr. Magara said. “They have a very big heart to help UCU or parts of the world that are not well resourced as where they are. When you train a doctor, you have actually invested in a lot of lives because that doctor if well trained will go on to work for a few more decades.” 

Joana Bideri, a third-year student of dentistry, also praised the donation. “The dental chairs in particular will help us get used to using them before graduating,” she said. 

Mark Bartels, the Executive Director of the UCU Partners said Doug Fountain, the former UCU Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Development and External Relations, connected his organization (UCU Partners) to Midmark. Doug is the current Executive Director for Christian Connections in International Health, an organization that promotes health and Christian perspectives. The organization shares information and provides a forum for dialogue, networking, advocacy and fellowship to a spectrum of Christian organizations and individuals working in international health. 

Doug expressed excitement that Midmark donated dental equipment to UCU for training of a new cadre of dentists. 

“This is one of the most overlooked areas of health professional training as good dentistry affects health, self-image and nutrition for men, women and children,” he said. “I came to know them (Midmark) through another association several years ago and had the chance to share about UCU several times with one of their executives. This donation is a great example of partnership done well – timely assessment of need and information sharing, coordination with local partners, understanding of what the donors will need. Now let’s see this make a difference in the lives of the people of Uganda.”

According to Mark, in 2019 when former UCU Vice Chancellor, Dr. John Senyonyi, was on a working visit to the United States, he made a connection with MedShare. The organization (MedShare) helps in shipping donated medical and dental supplies to hospitals and medical schools around the world. In addition to coordinating the shipping MedShare donated the medical supplies and equipment that accompanied the dental equipment on the 40 foot container.  

“After receiving the items from Midmark, MedShare added more medical supplies and equipment and sent the container to Uganda,” Mark said, adding that UCU Partners contributors provided $25,000 (over sh92m) for the container. “This project relied on the generosity of Midmark, MedShare and hundreds of individuals who donated to UCU Partners.”

“UCU Partners is grateful to be in partnership with UCU and the School of Medicine and School of Dentistry and to provide some of the equipment needed to train the next generation of doctors and dentists in Uganda,” Mark noted. “We believe that as UCU trains medical and dental students in a Christ-centered context, they will be prepared to serve and make a difference to thousands who very much need quality medical and dental care.” 

With the statistics from the Uganda Dental Association indicating one dentist for every 142,000 Ugandans, Midmark’s donations comes as a “God sent gift” to bridge the doctor to patient gap in the country, Mark said. 

Mitch Eiting, the global philanthropic and corporate giving manager for Midmark also said the organization was very excited to work with Uganda Christian University Partners to donate dental equipment to the UCU School of Dentistry. 

“We believe this equipment will help support the dental school by allowing students to continue focusing on the technical skills needed to treat patients successfully. Also, we are pleased that the additional equipment will allow the school to increase student registration, leading to more dental professionals much in demand in Uganda,” Eiting said.

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For more of these stories and experiences by and about Uganda Christian University (UCU) staff, students and graduates, visit https://www.ugandapartners.org. If you would like to support UCU, including the School of Dentistry, contact Mark Bartels, Executive Director, UCU Partners, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org or go to https://www.ugandapartners.org/donate/

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The acting Dean of Department, Dr. Gerald Tumusime, tries out some equipment on a UCU student.

UCU Schools of Dentistry and Medicine acquire nearly $400,000 in modern training equipment


The acting Dean of Department, Dr. Gerald Tumusime, tries out some equipment on a UCU student.
The acting Dean of Department, Dr. Gerald Tumusime, tries out some equipment on a UCU student.

Story by John Semakula; Photos by Samuel Tatambuka

Uganda Christian University (UCU) has acquired state-of-the-art dental and medical equipment worth sh1.46bn ($397,855) to boost the training of students at its dentistry and medical schools in Mengo.

On February 18, University top management received equipment that included 5 dental suites, LED dental lights, a separator tank assembly, a powervac P7 base, powerair oil-less compressors and a Midmark M3 Steam Sterilizer, 230V.

Speaking at the function on the UCU main campus in Mukono, the University’s Vice Chancellor Associate Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, revealed that all of the dental equipment was donated to the University by Midmark, a US-based manufacturer of medical and dental tools while the medical equipment was donated by MedShare, another US based organization that procures medical donations and helps ship them to hospitals and medical schools around the world.

The donation from Midmark was worth over sh520m ($141,722).

The Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, together with the University staff, observe how equipment works.
The Vice chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, together with the University staff, observe how equipment works.

“We are now getting to where UCU should be,” said Assoc. Prof. Mushengyezi. “We want UCU to set the pace in the training of a wholesome individual. From today bring your children to study dentistry at UCU because they will get the best training.”

Mushengyezi added that with the newly acquired equipment, UCU is now compliant with the set standards of the East African Community (EAC) Partner States National Medical and Dental Practitioner’s Council to run a full-fledged dentistry school.   

In 2020, the Council identified a number of infrastructure gaps at the School of Dentistry, including the need for certain equipment.
UCU made the necessary improvements and continued to rapidly acquire more dental and medical equipment.

Inspecting equipment are the Dean of School of Dentistry, Dr. James Magara; the Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi: Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration Mr. David Mugawe: and the University Chaplain Rev. Paul Wasswa.
Inspecting equipment are the Dean of School of Dentistry, Dr. James Magara; the Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi: Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration Mr. David Mugawe: and the University Chaplain Rev. Paul Wasswa.

Dr. John Kitayimbwa, the University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, noted that UCU is working very hard to ensure that it sends to the job market well trained Christian medical and dental practitioners to transform the two professions.

Kitayimbwa added that with the new dental suites, the ratio of students to the training equipment at the UCU Dentistry School is almost 1:1, which is an assurance of quality education to the leaners. 

He commended Midmark for donating the equipment and Uganda Partners in the US for ensuring that the donated equipment was delivered to the University. The donated equipment from the US was delivered free of charge to UCU due to the generosity of many individuals who donated to Uganda Partners to make the shipment possible, and the work of MedShare in packing and shipping the container. “This would not have been possible without the generosity of both Midmark and MedShare. MedShare’s expertise in shipping medical supplies overseas was an essential part of this process.”

The Dean of the UCU School of Dentistry, Dr. James Magara, described the donation from Midmark as generous, critical and foundational in setting up a dental training lab.

“It’s very expensive to train a doctor,” he said. “If the purchase of the equipment had been left to us, we would not have been able to achieve it.”

Mushengyezi disclosed that while all of the dental equipment donated by Midmark would go to the School of Dentistry, some of the medical equipment donated by MedShare will be given to hospitals that partner with the School of Medicine for clinical training, include Mengo Hospital, Mukono Church of Uganda Hospital and Mukono Government of Uganda Hospital. He said the hospitals are key partners of UCU in the training of the medical and dentistry 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.

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Some students in the Uganda Partners e-lab pilot interact from the UCU-Mukono library via Zoom with managers of the NGO in the United States.

UCU Partners launches e-lab pilot to benefit students and organization


 

Some students in the Uganda Partners e-lab pilot interact from the UCU-Mukono library via Zoom with managers of the NGO in the United States.
Some students in the Uganda Partners e-lab pilot interact from the UCU-Mukono library via Zoom with managers of the NGO in the United States.

By Jimmy Siyasa

It’s only mountains that don’t meet, but people do, goes a famous saying. This came to pass on January 25, when a group of Uganda Christian University (UCU) students met virtually with UCU Partners leadership.

UCU Partners is a two-decades old, non-profit organization that raises awareness about UCU in the United States by seeking material and spiritual support for students. The students, meeting via Zoom, are part of a new UCU Partners e-lab project designed to provide real-world experience to learning while creating products for the organization. Mark Bartels, executive director, and Patricia Huston, communications director, for UCU Partners were coming in virtually from the USA states of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. 

The time was 4 p.m. in Uganda when the curtains opened on the face of Huston. She started by telling the “junior writers” a bit about her journalism and public relations careers. She dusted off any doubts in her capacity to support the writers in their career development by showcasing some of the payoffs from her own professional journey. It was inspiring to behold Huston’s accolades, published literature such as Inviting a Giraffe to Tea (now also available in Luganda), among other achievements. 

This was no doubt a result of hard work. She urged the students to “work hard and be open to learning.” She advised the students to put into practice the writing, photography, videography and social media theories and skills they learn in class and from textbooks. 

“It’s good to acquire facts and figures, to learn the theory of journalism and communication and to be able to take a test to prove that knowledge,” Huston said. “But if you can’t apply what you learned, then of what use is it to you, your country or your work?” 

Together with Bartels, Huston unpacked the mission and vision of the Partners NGO and the relevance of the pilot for the students involved. Prior to the Jan. 1, 2021, launch of the education-product delivery model, Huston and selected UCU alumni and staff generated stories and photos for the organization.  Huston, who has been a volunteer consultant and teacher at UCU since 2012, says the new e-lab model reinforces student learning and provides products for the organization. 

On Feb. 14 – 1.5 months into the e-lab pilot – Huston noted: “The product quality I see so far is impressive.”

Bartels, who is the son-in-law of the first UCU Vice Chancellor Steven Noll, said the organization exists to “raise money and develop partnerships for UCU.” Bartels lived with his family and worked on the UCU-Mukono campus for 10 years. 

Via Zoom, the Uganda Partners leaders rolled out the pilot “Communication Plan,” which was more like a dartboard of expectations for the students. With the on-the-ground guidance of three seasoned Uganda professionals, the 12 UCU journalism students chosen for this new hands-on learning model were eager to shoot right in the bullseye. The Ugandan leadership team under  Huston’s guidance consists of John Semakula, coordinator; Edwin Byarugaba, technical consultant; and Constantine Odongo, editor and social media consultant. Another Ugandan, Frank Obonyo, and an American, Ashton Davey, provide collaborative assistance as ex-officio members of the team. 

John Semakula, UCU Partners e-lab communications coordinator, at left, with some of the UCU journalism/communications students chosen for the pilot project.
John Semakula, UCU Partners e-lab communications coordinator, at left, with some of the UCU journalism/communications students chosen for the pilot project.

According to Huston, the model rollout is designed to start with an emphasis on writing and still photography, followed in the coming months by video and audio products and promotion using traditional and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp). 

“I was nervous at first, because this was the first time I was attending a Zoom meeting, let alone with Americans,” Grace Bisoke, a student who is part of the e-lab project, said, adding: “Surprisingly, everything went well.”

Pauline Ruth Alupo, another student, said: “With my journalism skills, I would like to establish a multimedia production company in Uganda. One that creates high quality content for the global audience.” 

The youthful Ugandans left the late January 2021 virtual launch meeting with a clearer vision of their careers and excited and eager to roll up their sleeves and get into the trenches. 

With that, Bartels hopes that at the end of the day, the “donors will be able to see the huge impact they can have by investing in Uganda Christian University and the UCU students.” He added, “We are also excited by the opportunity to contribute directly to the experience of these students—giving them opportunities to grow and develop their professional skills.”

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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 Student Mark Wandera with one of his pieces during the exhibition

UCU markets student artwork to boost sales during pandemic


UCU Student Mark Wandera with one of his pieces during the exhibition
UCU Student Mark Wandera with one of his pieces during the exhibition

Story By Fiona Nabugwere and Majorine Kiita
Photos by Paulyn Alupo and Dalton Mujuni

By 8 a.m. on a hot Friday morning, the Technology Park area of the Mukono campus of Uganda Christian University (UCU) was a beehive of activities as 3rd year students of the Bachelor of Industrial Fine Art program make final touches on their art stalls.

It was December 8, 2020. The students had decorated the area with stunning art pieces ready for the 2020 UCU Annual Fine Art Exhibition. Their master art ranged from ceramics, pottery, and fashion to interior design assembled according to different themes and styles. The 2020 exhibition was a wonderful display of creativity, effort and talent.

Kevin Kambere, one of the students who exhibited pieces, said he created his best piece – a family of giraffes on canvas – using fiberglass and bark cloth. He chose a giraffe to represent the African family.

Kelvin Kambere exhibiting his art
Kevin Kambere exhibiting his art

“I molded clay and laid it on the floor before creating designs in different shapes,” he said. “Then I cast the mold. When it was complete, I introduced the bark cloth sliced into small pieces and thinned to reduce the thickness. I dipped the bark cloth into glue for about 2-3 days to ease the manipulation before putting it on the mold and leaving it to set.” 

Kambere spent sh900,000 ($244.95) to make the fiber glass giraffe sculpture and about sh200,000 ($54.06) for the bark cloth piece. 

Another student, Mark Wandera, used pencils, pens and watercolors to draw human figures in a style he calls expressionism.  One of those pieces depicted a boy eagerly catching water into his mouth. 

“I am a freelance artist, and people like the human figures in my work,” Wandera said. “My art pieces can be put anywhere in galleries and sitting rooms where there is no (outside) water to spoil them.” 

Solving a Problem in Society through Art was the 2020 exhibition theme

The late 2020 event drew fewer than normal buyers because it was two days vs. the normal seven and entry inside the Mukono campus was restricted due to Covid-19. Another barrier to sales was a shorter preparation time for students. But being able to do artwork and display it after a virus lockdown brought hope to the young artists. 

Mercy Chekwemboi, a fashion student who focused on decency in dressing while still looking elegant and stylish in an African print dress called “Ekitengi,” displayed a detachable dress that could be worn in several different ways. She said time was her biggest challenge in preparing for the exhibition. 

“I failed to get a suitable floral material to make the duvet,’’ she said. 

To ease student frustrations and offer added opportunity for sales, UCU offered to allow students’ best pieces to remain with the university for another 12 months. During that time, the university would help market and sell those pieces from a gallery in the art department area, from different churches and during university events. One of those events is planned for March 2021 at All Saints Cathedral, Kampala.

“It’s true the students did not have enough time to create as many art pieces like in the past years because of the pandemic,” said Grace Ashe, a lecturer for Painting, adding, “But still they have displayed impressive work.”

According to Rita Namwebe, the acting Head of the Department of Industrial Art and Design, students can retrieve money from sales as they occur and pick up artwork not sold after a year. 

Obinna Ikenna, a student who majored in sculpture, said he was glad that the university had granted them this offer. “I am giving them my best piece, which I made under the theme ‘unity among family’,” he said. Chekwemboi loaned a hand-knitted mat to the university to sell it for her. 

But Esther Blessing Ageno, who majors in interior design, was concerned that the University may not get the best price for their products. “I spent almost a week working on this piece so it won’t be fair to just give it at a price I am not happy with,” she said. 

Esther Ageno assembling her stall during the exhibition in January 2021
Esther Ageno assembling her stall during the exhibition in January 2021

During the preparations for this year’s exhibition students faced several other setbacks including challenges in blending colors and patterns plus breakdown of machines.

Art student Abel Nshemereirwe had a process challenge with cracking in ceramics. He illustrated through his zebra-themed ceramics pieces three methods of making ceramics: pottery wheel method, slab method and slip-casting method. He explained that using a pottery wheel produces more durable and attractive ceramics compared to the slab method. 

The department of Industrial Fine Art and Design offers a number of course units that include painting, drawing, computer graphics, ceramics, interior design, and fashion and fabrics.  In addition to an exhibition, lecturers award students with grades. 

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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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International students from the United States, Nigeria and Rwanda

UCU students say International Desk relieves loneliness


International students from the United States, Nigeria and Rwanda
International students from the United States, Nigeria and Rwanda

By Gloria Katya

Joining Uganda Christian University (UCU) in 2019, Garcia Bwale’s major challenge was the language barrier. Since she is from a French-speaking country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), she was not fluent in English.  Contributing during class discussions was one of her major challenges.

International students pose for photo after a 2020 food gala at UCU
International students pose for photo after a 2020 food gala at UCU

With the little English she knew, and spoken with a French accent, most of the Ugandan students found it funny whenever she raised her hand to contribute in class. This lowered her self-esteem.

“Whenever I was contributing in class, I noticed students laughing silently and the lecturers, too, found it hard to interpret what I was saying,” Bwale says.

However, from the UCU International students’ desk, Bwale discovered a solution. The desk provided her with a language mentor as she journeyed in her academics.

Once she solved the language issue, her fears were greatly diminished. She is now a confident journalist in the making who also has served as Minister on the International Students Association.

Another student, George Caleb from Nigeria and who is in his second year studying law, faced a similar obstacle. Interacting with locals especially when buying food and talking to transporters in case he had to move around had become a serious challenge for Caleb because he didn’t speak any of the Uganda local languages.

He, too, was helped by the International students’ desk to get Ugandan friends who gradually taught him survival skills.

“The desk linked me to some Ugandan students who helped me and life became easier,” he says.

The International students desk, headed by Mr. Edgar Kabahizi, was established in 2011 by the university management to help mainly with international students’ welfare. This desk serves  students from the time they step in to the time they exit.

Usually a friendly and welcoming face, Kabahizi awaits to be of service to fresh international students from the time they arrive in Uganda for their studies at UCU.

“Studying away from one’s home country and family is always challenging and at times creates a lot of anxiety not knowing what to expect,” Kabahizi said. “Most times, it’s the local culture and language that is most perplexing for the foreigners so students need help.”

To simplify life for an international student, Kabahizi does a lot of things for them.

“I follow up on the students from the time they are admitted by the University until they are settled and begin to progress academically,” he says. “Students that face linguistic problems are incorporated in mentorship classes under the Uganda Studies Program where they learn English.”

Kabahizi’s office also makes sure that international students have the necessary paperwork that enables them access to living in the country.

“We are there, when the students are sick, struggling academically and when facing any challenge,” he said, “This office is their first reporting point.”

With 7% of the UCU student population from outside Uganda, the Director of Students Affairs Bridget Mugume K. Mugasira says the university created the desk to better serve those students. International students at UCU come from such countries as Nigeria, DRC, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan and the USA.

When an international student arrives at UCU, he/she is led to their place of accommodation that is already organised for them by the International Students’ Desk. The students are then oriented the next day by introducing them to other international students.  They are also given class timetables and briefed about the Ugandan currency and its exchange rate.

The students also are informed about the dos and don’ts in Uganda, Ugandan culture, and UCU norms.

“The International Students Desk is a serious relief to foreign students as it brings them together such that they don’t feel lonely on campus,” Kabahizi said.

International students are not left out in the different co-curricular activities on campus such as the cultural galas, food galas and politics. International students are engaged in many fun activities on campus including dinners, picnics, trips, food galas, celebrating their country’s days of Independence, among others. The students also are represented with the guild government.

“Our last trip last year with the International students was in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese and Bundibugyo before the Coronavirus pandemic struck,” Kabahizi said.

Covid-19 that has affected education across the globe has interfered with the desk, but UCU is not ready to compromise any of its services. Throughout the Covid-19 lockdown in Uganda, the University took full care of the international students without asking them for additional financial contributions.

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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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