Category Archives: UCU School of Law

After graduation – What’s next? Recent alum share

November 22, 2024Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology, Faculty of Engineering, Design & Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Nursing and Midwifery, Journalism, News, Science and Technology, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Education, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication, UCU School of Law, Uganda PartnersPatty Huston-Holm

By Christine Mirembe
Unemployment among Ugandans aged 15-24 is improving slowly. According to World Bank data via macrotrends.net, it was 4.5% for that age group defined as “available and seeking employment” in 2023 – slightly less than in 2022. For unemployment, low statistics reflect positive career moves.

While Uganda Partners continues to feature successes for seasoned Uganda Christian University (UCU) alumni, we decided to highlight a few more recent graduates to learn about the days leading up to graduation and their initial transitions from university life.

These five new alumni share some of their triumphs, including the value of work experience before graduation and UCU’s reinforcement of Christian faith, and struggles such as the university-required, pre-graduation signature sign offs and cost of gowns and certificates. Graduation day starts as early as 3 a.m. to arrive by 7 a.m.

Pauline Luba – ‘never settle for mediocrity’

Pauline Luba (2024 Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, School of Journalism, Media and Communication)
“You reach a point in your academics when you worry if you will make it to the tent, but to make it especially with your friends means a lot,” she said, noting clearance signatures, cost and time as obstacles to overcome.

Pauline, who graduated with a Grade-Point Average (GPA) of 4.32 of 5.0, expressed frustration about the UCU graduation signature clearance process. One expensive journey back and forth to the Mukono campus was because an office from which she was supposed to get a signature was understaffed. When occupied, only one person dealt with all the graduates.

Another challenge was an unexpected increase in cost for gowns and certificates of sh50,000 ($13) from July 2024 to October 2024.

“It was difficult,” she said. “Sh450,000 ($119) is not easy to produce.”

At that, Pauline shared how her pre-graduation work experience and the UCU Christian environment have been helpful since receiving her degree. She has worked as a writing intern for the USA-based Uganda Partners NGO for 18 months. Prior to graduation, she also was an intern for TotalEnergies EP Uganda, an oil and gas production and exploration company. With her interest in oil and gas, she hopes to retain her Total position to dive deeper in that sector over the next four years. This opportunity has given her a chance to dive into a different field and still apply her communications knowledge to write stories and interact with various people.

From UCU, Pauline carries on her reinforced faith in God, worktime adaptability and humility. All these have helped her to navigate work.

“Be still and know God,” she said. “Remember that failure is not failure but rather a learning point. You can achieve everything you put your mind to, and never settle for mediocrity.”

Kairanian Rooney – appreciates UCU friends and connections

Kairanian Rooney (2024 Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology)
In his current position as a graduate engineer at Infra Consulting Services (ICS) Limited based in the United Kingdom, Kairanian is part of a team providing integrated planning, management and engineering services in the transport, property, environment and natural resources sector.

Like Pauline, Kairanian’s final days toward graduation were a bit hectic with frustrations about getting signatures from faculty not present and/or long lines.

“The only signatures I got with ease were from the Guild President and the warden,” he said.

Unlike graduates from October who paid Sh450,000 ($119) for graduation gowns, Kairanian paid Sh400,000 ($105.85), which was the fee in July this year.

“We moved to the tents, and I met up with some of my colleagues and friends and we did some catching up,” Kairanian said of graduation day. “After the graduation ceremony at campus, my dad and stepmother took me for lunch to celebrate the day. I later attended a friend’s graduation party in the evening.”

Currently, he appreciates the friends and connections he made at UCU and advises future graduates to cherish these connections.

For future aspirations, Karanian, , who graduated with a GPA of 4.11 of 5.0, sees himself as an established registered engineer doing his masters’ degree and working at a big transportation project.

Kakooza Paul – ‘have fun, but do your best to excel’

Kakooza Paul (2024 Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology)
Graduating in July 2023 with a GPA of 4.08 of 5.O, Paul, unlike some of his peers, describes his graduation preparation journey as a smooth one. He credits this to his planning. He set apart a full 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. day to acquire signatures.

Financially speaking, Paul says that UCU being a private university, one must be ready for added costs so the Sh450,000 for the graduation gown did not come as a surprise to him.

“Graduation day was nice because of the people around that day,” said Paul, who described the ceremony as similar to finishing an exam and thinking about what to do next.

Paul is now working with Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), a government agency that manages, develops and maintains Uganda’s national roads. Credit for the ease of his work goes to colleagues as well as UCU’s curriculum with communication skills and engineering knowledge.

His advice for current students: “Make friends…Have fun, but also do your best to excel in your studies. Have dreams… Thank God, your parents, guardians, lecturers and friends.”

Byaruhanga Francis - ‘hone future skills, and stay on top of data’ — Byaruhanga Francis – ‘hone future skills, and stay on top of data’

Byaruhanga Francis (2024 Bachelor of Law, School of Law)
Currently working with KTA Advocates in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications/Intellectual Property and Sustainability Team, Byaruhanga Francis hopes to have a master’s degree and to be further established in his career over the next four years.

“My family arrived quite early, we were driven to campus in an SUV,” he said of graduation day. “Among those present were my mom and dad, my youngest brother and my only sister. We celebrated with a sumptuous lunch and were joined by my close friends from the USA.”

At UCU, Francis had the opportunity to participate in unique co-curricular activities like the Inter University quiz last year. Such activities shaped his world view, improved his work ethic and leadership opportunities that enhanced his skills.

“For future graduates, I’d advise them to embrace emerging fields of work such as AI, Space Law, Artificial Intelligence and Web 3,” he said. “They need to hone future skills and stay on top of data such as in the Future of Jobs report by the World Economic Forum.”

Christy Asiimwe with the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, Archbishop of Uganda and Bishop of Kampala – ‘grateful to God for his goodness to me’

Christy Asiimwe (2024 Bachelor of Arts with Education, School of Education)
Topping the October 2024 graduating group with a CGPA of 4.80 of 5.0, Christy Asiimwe credits her success to God. She applies UCU virtues of Christ-centeredness, perseverance, integrity and professionalism as her take away from her three years at the university.

In addition to focusing on studies, Christy was part of the Honours college and the UCU writing centre.

“With these, I will be able to support people as they become all God has called them to be, especially through engaging in education management and curriculum development studies and practice in the next few years,” said Christy. “I was exhausted after graduation, but really happy about how everything went and grateful to God for His goodness to me.”

Lucky for her, she was already teaching English and Literature at Acorns International School before graduation so she had no worries about job hunting but rather got back into her busy teaching schedule.

Christy advises future graduates to enrich themselves with as many productive experiences from the university because the skills and character they develop are invaluable in the field of work.

”Having a personal relationship with God and living for Him is what binds everything together, making it possible for everyone to succeed,” she said.

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To support UCU 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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Regional law moot competition unearths talent at UCU

November 18, 2024News, Students, UCU School of Law#Kenya, #Moot, #News, #students, School of Law, UCU, UgandaPatty Huston-Holm

Stacy Angel Ndawula and Jude Mulumbye at the moot competition

By Pauline Luba
Personal data is a key driver of an election cycle in any country. From the time of registration, voters leave personal information that becomes useful during the campaigns, as well as during the elections. The data provided by the voters is useful in determining where the rallies are organized and how the campaign messages are tailored.

The theme of personal data during elections was the subject of a recent law moot (simulated) competition in Kenya, where students of Uganda Christian University (UCU) not only participated, but also returned with honors.

Stacy Angel Ndawula and Jude Mulumbye showcased their debate prowess in the competition, both relevant and timely, given the rise in the use of biometric technology in developing countries, including Uganda, and its implications on privacy of the data of the voters. Biometric technology is the science of using automated methods to recognize people based on their biological and behavioral characteristics.

Ndawula and Mulumbye are year-three students pursuing a Bachelor of Laws at UCU.

The moot focused on a hypothetical case involving the East African Civil Liberties Union against the Electoral Commission of Umoja. The case touched on issues of data privacy in elections, specifically addressing concerns about the security and the use of personal data collected through biometric systems.

According to Ndawula, the challenge was to find a balance between ensuring electoral integrity and protecting individual privacy rights.

“Moots expose you to what to expect in the legal field,” Ndawula noted, adding: “They help you grow skills in research, speech and analysis.”

For four months, Ndawula and Mulumbye worked on their memorials (written arguments), researching extensively and preparing for the oral rounds.

“You sacrifice a lot for the moot,” Ndawula said, emphasizing the long hours and the pressure to perform well at the regional stage. Despite never having participated in a moot before, she was determined to challenge herself and improve her confidence.

The path to Kenya was no easy feat for Ndawula and Mulumbye. They were among a select few chosen from class moots held at UCU in their second year. The students were then evaluated and encouraged to apply for various moot competitions. Ndawula had qualified for the Unwanted Witness Privacy Moot, and Mulumbye had his eyes set on an international platform to test his skills. After four months of preparation, they both stepped up to represent Uganda in one of East Africa’s most competitive moot events. Daystar University of Kenya won the competition, beating Africa Nazarene University, also from Kenya.

One of the unforgettable moments for Mulumbye was the impact of their team work. He credits Ndawula for keeping him aligned during the arguments.

“There were moments where I would forget a provision or a case, and Ndawula would write it on a sticky note, and vice versa” Mulumbye recalled. This didn’t go unnoticed by the judges, who commended their seamless teamwork and legal knowledge.

The competition wasn’t without its challenges, though. The team often stayed up all night, reading through cases and legal provisions as they prepared for each round.

“The stress was overwhelming,” Mulumbye admitted.

The draws for the semifinals again pitted UCU against Daystar University. This time, however, the UCU team was edged out, with a narrow score of 58 to 57. While they didn’t make it to the finals, the performance of Ndawula and Mulumbye earned them the title of the best Ugandan team in the competition.

Ndawula, who was ranked the best oralist in the overall competition, encouraged her fellow students to participate in moots, adding that though the preparation is time-consuming, the skills one gains, from research to time management, make it worthwhile.

Mulumbye highlighted how the moot sharpened his oratory skills and gave him invaluable insight into court procedures.

“Now I know how to submit and raise preliminary questions in court,” he said. “This experience has also taught me time management and the importance of teamwork.”

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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 master’s research focus on money laundering

September 17, 2024News, SRPGS, UCU Alumni, UCU School of LawAlumni, Law, post-graduate degrees, UCUPatty Huston-Holm

Evelyn Zawedde is a Senior Associate at Ortus Advocates

By Irene Best Nyapendi
The main reason Evelyn Zawedde chose a career in law was to ensure equity and justice in the world. And for the 10 years that she has been practicing law, she has examples to illustrate her impact in that quest.

Here is one of them:

In Uganda, it’s not uncommon for unscrupulous individuals to grab property owned by the elderly. Zawedde’s grandmother fell victim to such an attempt when someone in her area laid claim to her land. Upon learning of her grandmother’s plight, Zawedde immediately took action, stepping in to represent her grandmother in mediation. She won the case, ensuring the property remained with its rightful owner — her grandmother. Although her grandmother has since passed away, Zawedde recalls that saving the property was one of her grandmother’s proudest moments, a testament to her granddaughter’s dedication.

Zawedde, a graduate of Uganda Christian University (UCU), earned a degree in Bachelor of Laws in 2011. However, she nearly abandoned her legal career after her initial application for a spot at the Law Development Center to pursue a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice was unsuccessful. In Uganda, obtaining this diploma from the Law Development Center is a requirement for practicing law.

When faced with a setback, she sought another opportunity by applying to Kenya Law School, where she was accepted to pursue her Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice. After completing her studies in Kenya, she joined Kilonzo and Company Advocates, one of the leading law firms in Kenya.

A year later, she returned to Uganda and joined DN Kabugo Advocates, now Ortus Advocates, where she currently serves as a Senior Associate in the Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure department.

In July 2024, Zawedde graduated with a Master of Law in International Business Law at UCU.

She explained that the shifting dynamics of the global economy played a significant role in guiding her choice of research focus for the master’s degree. For the master’s project, Zawedde explored the role of preventive strategies in enhancing the fight against money laundering with a focus on selected financial institutions in the central business district of Kampala. The study focused on the fight against money laundering.

“I chose this research topic because money laundering is a global issue affecting financial institutions,” Zawedde said, adding: “I wanted to deeply examine the measures being used to combat money laundering in financial institutions.”

Her study found that to keep the integrity of the financial system intact, financial institutions, companies and governments must co-operate. Her study recommends enactment of laws that leverage technology to prevent and detect money laundering.

With a deep interest in the evolving financial landscape, she hopes that her advanced studies will not only broaden her expertise but also position her to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in the international business arena.

Born and raised in Mukono, central Uganda, Zawedde is an Advocate of the High Court of both Uganda and Kenya and all courts subordinate thereto. She is a member of the Uganda Law Society, Kenya Law Society and the East African Law Society.

With over seven years of experience in structuring, negotiation and documentation of natural resource projects and related financings, Zawedde has conducted negotiations, prepared contracts and closed real estate transactions. According to the website of her current employers, Zawedde has acted for several clients in acquisitions of property for project development and developing transaction completion documents.

She attended Nakanyonyi Girls School in Jinja, eastern Uganda, for her O’level education and St. Mary’s Secondary School Kitende in central Uganda for A’level.

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Lagen: Lawyer with a passion for music

August 21, 2024News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Law#News, #students, Music, UCU Alumni, UCU School of LawPatty Huston-Holm

By Pauline Luba
In Acholi, a local dialect in Uganda, the name Lagen means “the trusted one.” And that is the name that a pastor in Uganda chose for his son 30 years ago. In three decades, there are examples to illustrate that, indeed, Joseph Lagen has earned people’s trust.

One example slightly more than 10 years ago was when his father entrusted him with the duty of heading the youth music department at Life Line Ministries, his father’s church. Five years later, Lagen’s role was to direct the production of music at the church. And this was only possible because Lagen was introduced to the church at quite a young age, hence influencing his way of life.

Lagen cover art picture for Child's praise. — Lagen cover art picture for Child’s praise.

“I loved being in the music department of my father’s church, but sometimes I did it more as something I had to do,” Lagen said. In 2014, Lagen sung a duet with his twin brother, Joshua Olara, in the church choir album.

During his childhood, “while others got a lot of toys,” Lagen says for his family, it was “a lot of church and church visits.” He is grateful to his parents for ensuring they had a proper Christian upbringing, in line with Proverbs 22:6 that says: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

True to the scripture, even when Lagen grew older, he did not depart from the foundation that his father gave him. As soon as he joined Uganda Christian University (UCU) to pursue a Bachelor of Laws, Lagen connected other music-loving Christian students and, in 2018, formed the inaugural instrumentalist fellowship that happens at the end of every semester at UCU. He also worked with the choir members on larger projects, such as the Christmas and Easter productions.

Jimmy Siyasa, the acting Communications Officer at UCU, who was among the people at the university at the same time with Lagen, said he (Lagen) was instrumental in creating team spirit and a strong bond among the choir members, especially those who played instruments at UCU. Lagen often hosted the instrumentalists for fellowship.

“I met Lagen in the last quarter of 2018, while in my second year,” Siyasa said. “At that time, I was a worship leader in a campus choir called Mustard Seed. He was like a bolt that drew and held together the broad network of both novice and advanced Christian creatives on the campus, and beyond. He is that guy who won’t miss or waste a chance to introduce you to other creatives.”

Lagen tracklist for Child's Praise. — Lagen tracklist for Child’s Praise.

To further cement the fact that Lagen has not departed from the Christian foundation that his father gave him, in April 2024, he released a Christian Afro-Soul album, Child’s Praise. The album has 12 songs, all of which are intended to tell the gospel through a modern East-African aesthetic. The first song, Near Near Here is based on an experience he had as he visited his village in 2015 — a place he had been made to believe was near, was not actually as near because of the poor transport system. The song blends Lagen’s calm vocals with upbeat references to God.

“My art is far from pragmatic,” he said. “It lives to create wonder in the hearts of its listeners and to cause them look at God in wonder.” The title Child’s Praise stems from Psalm 8:2: “From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise on account of Your adversaries, to silence the enemy and avenger.”

Born in a family of four children — two boys and two girls — Lagen attended Hillside Primary School and Namilyango College, both in central Uganda. It was while at Namilyango that he developed a love for writing.

“I was enamoured by words and their ability to communicate emotions,” he said. Before and during his undergrad, Lagen worked as a Features writer for the Daily Monitor – Uganda’s largest private daily newspaper. Not too long ago, he was also a freelance contributor for Uganda Partners.

For his bachelor’s award in 2021, Lagen’s law dissertation research area was intellectual property and copyright, particularly in music. Uganda Performing Rights Society, the organization where he carried out the research, immediately offered him a position as legal officer in 2021. It is only recently that he left the position to join an advertising firm as a copywriter.

Lagen is also multi-tasking, working on his second album. What spurs him on is seeing everyday as an opportunity “to show and tell the exceeding beauty of Christ through art.”

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UCU advice for internships, work

April 25, 2024News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication, UCU School of LawPatty Huston-Holm

For many university courses, students are expected to engage in internships or have work placements as one requirement for the award of their degree. Pauline Luba of the UCU School of Journalism gleaned information from some key university staff, an employer/alum and two students to learn how students should conduct themselves in the world of work, especially during internships. UCU Law alum, Chris Mogal, created a video to reinforce the message, including how to avoid harrassment.

**Rev. Paul Wasswa Ssembiro, university chaplain, UCU**

I am the university chaplain at Uganda Christian University (UCU). I’m in my fifth year here in this position. Internships come with temptations, “predators” and things that could be dangerous to a student. However, when students go into the internship with strong values, they can always cope. Know the value you attach to yourself, and you need a solid character base from which to draw the values. At UCU, we give opportunities to students to grow spiritually. Once you join any workplace, make your stance clear. Speak back to whichever predator, and the good news is the predators know that what they are doing is wrong.

**Frank Obonyo, UCU alumnus, Senior Public Relations Officer at LDC**

I am the Senior Public Relations Officer at the Law Development Center (LDC). From 2003 to 2006, I pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication at UCU. The transition from student to work is really different. As a student, there are lots of dos and don’ts in the guidelines at school to help keep someone in check, but when you move out to the professional world, it is all about you, and so there is interconnectedness between the two. The professional life is informed by the student’s life. There is no disconnect between the two; how you handle yourself as a student will reflect professionally on how you also will live the working life. My transition was formed when I joined UCU. Some of the things that I learned seem to be small, but mean a lot in life. For example, things like worship are not in every university. But when I joined UCU, I felt my level of faith improved because of the opportunity, such as the worship hour every Tuesday and Thursday. I am one of the people formulating the sexual harassment policy at LDC. If you know yourself, you will not give in. Alumni are a big force in change. They contribute to the reputation of an institution. So, we cannot leave them out. They can guide the students. We can invite alumni to speak to students on how they can be prepared to manage their life of work.

**Joel Tusiime Mwesigwa, 3rd year student of Bachelors of Law at UCU**

I have been an intern at places such as Pearl Advocates — a law firm and Resilient Africa Network, a partnership of 20 African universities in 13 countries. Our university usually guides us on where to go for internships. The talks they give us also provide insights into what to expect at the internship. There are some principles we need to uphold in order not to cast the university in a bad light. I have never faced sexual harassment or discrimination at the workplace, and I pray that my peers never get to experience such. Students need to be God-fearing. The university could counsel students on how to keep safe at work.

**Margaret Kiwanuka, teacher, Quality Assurance Coordinator at UCU**

UCU prides itself in professionalism and developing the character of students. We expect students to have integrity when they go to the workplace. We also expect our students to be diligent and to live by the core values we instilled in them. We expect them to serve others, and not to behave as if they are above everyone else. Servanthood and stewardship are some of the values we instil in them. They are also taught foundational courses that help them to conduct themselves out in the world. The university organises career affairs and invites several employers to speak to our students. In addition to this, UCU runs mentorship programs for the students.

The programs equip students with tips and tricks to deal with issues like sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. In case of any harassment at the workplace, students need to identify who is harassing them and inform the authorities.

**Irene Nabwire, university counsellor, UCU**

At UCU, we offer several services that prepare students for internships and work placements. One of the key trainings that we have is the para counsellors training, where we discuss matters like the dos and don’ts in the world of work, as well as issues about sexual harassment. Students need to know the right steps to take in case of harassment. Harassment comes with a lot of consequences, including pregnancy. So, we try to “journey” with people who may find themselves in such situations.

We also teach the students about emotional stability — when you go to a workplace, there are little things that can provoke someone, but once you are emotionally stable, you can respond, as well as execute your duties.

Laetisha Asio Seth, student of Bachelor of Governance and International Relations, UCU

It’s advisable that one holds their values high when going into the world of work, for instance, being God-fearing, assertive, able to communicate and defend oneself. I advise that you just stay away from instances that could compromise you.

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American at UCU to receive honorary doctorate from Dartmouth

April 12, 2024News, Students, UCU School of Business, UCU School of LawPatty Huston-Holm

The honorary degree recipients at Dartmouth’s June 9 Commencement will be, clockwise from top left: Roger Federer, the Commencement speaker; Mira Murati, Thayer ’12; Paul Nakasone; Richard Ranger ’74; Roy Vagelos; Mung Chiang; Joy Buolamwini; Liz Cheney; and, center, John Urschel.

Dartmouth College, of Hanover, New Hampshire, USA, has announced that it will award Richard Ranger, missionary lecturer in Business and Law at Uganda Christian University (UCU), an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters at the College’s 253rd Commencement on June 9.

Each year, a member of the Dartmouth 50th reunion class is chosen to receive this award in recognition of service to the Dartmouth community and the broader world. Richard, a member of Dartmouth’s Class of 1974 that will celebrate its 50th Reunion in June, has been selected for this year’s honor.

Richard Ranger with members of the 2022 UCU-Dartmouth solar water heating project team (Phase 1). From left are Shalom Mukami, UCU Engineering ‘23; Veronica Yarovinsky, Dartmouth ’24; Richard; Daniel Tumusiime UCU Engineering ’22; Dr. Stephen Doig, faculty advisor and Senior Research and Strategy Advisor at the Irving Institute for Energy and Society, and Dartmouth ’82, Dartmouth ’24; Noah Daniel, Dartmouth ‘23; Ethan Aulwes, Dartmouth ’22.

Each year prospective honorary degree recipients—scholars, artists, innovators, public servants, philanthropists, and others who have made extraordinary contributions to their respective fields and society at large—are nominated by members of the Dartmouth community. The confidential nominations are reviewed by the Council on Honorary Degrees, which selects the honorands in consultation with the president and the Board of Trustees.

In addition to Richard Ranger, this year’s recipients are:

Joy Buolamwini, a computer scientist, artist, and founder of the Algorithmic Justice League;
Liz Cheney, former U.S. representative from Wyoming and vice chair of the House Jan. 6 committee;
Mung Chiang, president of Purdue University;
Commencement speaker Roger Federer, philanthropist and former tennis champion;
Mira Murati, Thayer ’12, chief technology officer of OpenAI;
Paul Nakasone, retired director of the National Security Agency and commander, U.S. Cyber Command;
John Urschel, a mathematician and former Baltimore Ravens guard; and
Roy Vagelos, philanthropist and retired chairman and CEO of Merck & Co. and retired chairman of Regeneron

At UCU along with his wife, Catherine, Richard serves as a missionary with the Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders (SAMS), based in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, USA. Prior to coming to UCU in 2020, Richard spent 43 years as a negotiator, environmental compliance manager, and community and government relations specialist in the oil and gas industry in the western United States, Alaska, and Washington, D.C. From that background, he now lectures in business and law at UCU. Dartmouth’s announcement describes this second career as reflecting “his lifelong commitment to service, his faith, and his sense of adventure.”

“I am humbled beyond belief at this award,” Richard says. “As many who know me know, I am deeply loyal to Dartmouth and to the education that I was blessed with there, and the gift of so many friendships from the Dartmouth community. As someone who has served my class as its Newsletter Editor for some 40 years, I know the many stories of achievement, character, and conscience that distinguish our class. Such a recognition could easily have gone to any of a number of my classmates and have been richly deserved. That it is coming to me is a gift beyond measure.”

Catherine and Richard Ranger during a July 2023 trip to Biharamulo and Maleba, Tanzania

Richard adds: “As a missionary, I’m also very conscious of the fact that it’s a rare missionary who is awarded an honorary degree. The four years we have spent in the company of people serving in mission and serving the needs of a broken world in so many ways have introduced us not just to colleagues, but to true heroes. I’m reminded of this every day here at UCU, which was initially founded by a missionary minister as a seminary, who got here to Uganda by walking from the Indian Ocean coast.”

At UCU, alongside UCU colleagues, Richard has taught Corporate Governance and Business Ethics in the School of Business, and Oil and Gas Law in the Faculty of Law.

Along with Catherine, Richard has served as a mentor for individual students. Together they host a weekly cell fellowship from the patio of their campus Tech Park apartment. And for the past two years, Richard has served as site coordinator for installation of a solar thermal water heating system for the campus dining hall – a joint effort by engineering students from Dartmouth and from UCU.

Richard Ranger lecturing in the UCU Corporate Governance and Business Ethics course for the Accounting and Finance students, 2023

“To have seen students from the two universities work together and build together across frontiers of distance and culture is simply the most rewarding job I have ever had,” Richard said.

As a person of faith, he gives any glory for the Dartmouth award to God, adding appreciation for the opportunity to serve at UCU.

“Not everyone is in such a position,” he said. “Our hope is that the highlighting of our story through the award Dartmouth is giving me will lead others to ask whether and how they might serve. Because it’s possible – and because in a broken world our hearts, hands, and talents are needed.”

Richard said he is “blessed to be able to do this work in a place that I love, in the company of the woman I love, among Ugandan friends” in a place that “challenges us to learn every day.”

“To have an honorary degree from my alma mater on top of all of that is an incredible blessing,” he said.

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Young creatives demonstrate projects at career exhibition

April 10, 2024Faculty of Engineering, Design & Technology, News, Students, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication, UCU School of LawPatty Huston-Holm

The Uganda Christian University (UCU) Honors College recently collaborated with Usanii Village-Africa, a non-governmental organization, the UCU Directorate of Student Affairs, and the university’s 26th Guild Government to conduct a career exhibition. Themed “Navigating Horizons; a Journey Through Diverse Careers,” the exhibition, held at the UCU main campus in Mukono, was intended to showcase ideas from different faculties and schools, in addition to linking the students to industry players. The Faculty of Engineering, Design, and Technology was recognized as the top exhibitor, with the School of Business and the School of Law following in that order. Partners Intern Kefa Senoga talked to some exhibitors.

**Atwiine Barinaba demonstrating his art skills.**

I use the proceeds from the sale of the art pieces to support myself at school. The cost of the art pieces ranges from sh10,000 (about $2.6) to as high as sh2.5million (about $644). The business of selling art is not one where someone can depend solely since the money does not come in every day.

Art can also be a service. For example, it would be a better option to hire an artist to perform the work of interior design, rather than one without any knowledge of art. I have also started private classes for children, so I can teach them the subject of art outside the classroom setting.

**Okot Innocent, Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering**

The technologies we’re exhibiting represent clean cooking solutions. Among the technologies is a stove that utilizes bi-ethanol, derived from fermented starch-producing foods like sugarcane waste, maize and sorghum. It’s considered a sustainable clean-cooking method because we get the bi-ethanol without burning charcoal or cutting down trees.

When bi-ethanol is poured into this stove, it produces a blue or luminous smokeless flame, which is ideal for cooking. By using this stove, we not only decrease reliance on burning fuels, but also mitigate gas emissions, contributing to a cleaner environment.

We are also exhibiting a gasifier, another cooking technology, where you can put in your biomass, for example charcoal, wood or briquettes. This technology produces some soot or smoke, but it is thin. When this smoke goes out, it mixes with the clean air, but the effect is less because it’s thin, with fewer particles or pollutants.

**Michael Ainomugisha conducts an interview for his podcasts.**

We have fruits in our stall because we can’t talk about fitness without talking about nutrition. Fruits are an essential component in ensuring a healthy and fit body. In our community, many eateries do not include fruits on their menu. We, however, prioritize the inclusion of fruits as we preach the gospel of fitness

As the UCU Fitness Club, we support our members to access their essential fruits. We support students on different fitness endeavors – some people come to us with a request to reduce their weight, while others just want to keep fit.

Our club works with different organizations to foster holistic health like mental, physical and spiritual, among their employees. Currently, our activities are primarily conducted at the main campus, but we intend to expand our presence to other university campuses in the near future.

I am showcasing an innovation of a podcast, which is best explained as an audio storytelling platform, for issues to do with mental health.

Last year, when the New Vision newspaper published an article stating that 14 million Ugandans were affected by mental health issues, they did not delve deeper into the specific impact of that on the youth. In the Ainomugisha Podcast, there’s an episode titled “Life Experiences,” where youth openly share how they overcome mental health challenges.

I once interviewed a woman who shared her journey of using alcohol as a coping mechanism to forget the challenges she was facing at the time. She also explained to us how she managed to stop taking alcohol. Subsequently, she started a sobriety platform. Our podcast aims to share such experience to inspire others who could be facing similar challenges.

**Byaruhanga Joshua Morris, Bachelor of Laws**

As the School of Law, we created a user-friendly “UCU Law” app to help both legal professionals and the laypeople. The app is intended to make it easier to draft tenancy agreements and to access legal documents in text and audio format, including statutes, acts, laws and cases.

We chose tenancy agreements because it affects a majority of Ugandans who are either owners of property or tenants in the properties they occupy. Processing a tenancy agreement on the app only requires entering the necessary information requested on the portal, such as name, address, and contact details, among others.

The developers created the app with students in mind, since many of them seek accommodation in hostels outside the university. The other advantage that can be accrued from using the app is access to a statute board that allows students to easily access the statutes through the platform.

The app, which is available for free access through the UCU International Humanitarian Law blog, also provides audio cases, which law students can take advantage in their course.

Dickson Tumuramye, head of the Honors College at UCU

According to Tumuramye, they organized the exhibition to provide a platform for students with different innovations.

“Since we are in an era of innovations and employment, this was an opportunity for the students to showcase their work to potential employers who could either hire them or offer them placements for internship opportunities,” Tumuramye says.

He added that the organizers wanted to showcase what UCU students can do.

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Students share thoughts on lent

March 25, 2024Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology, News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Business, UCU School of LawEdwin Byarugaba

Lent is a 40-day period of fasting for Christians, from Ash Wednesday to Easter. This year, Easter will be celebrated on March 31. Fasting is most recommended for healthy persons with elderly and very young children often exempt. The practice is frequently categorised as absolute (food and beverage), solid food (consuming only liquids) and partial (choosing one food to abstain).

At Uganda Christian University (UCU), selected students have chosen to fast. Some shared their experience with Pauline Luba.

Bitungi Martha, Bachelor of Laws, final year

To me, fasting is a period where one gets closer to God. It’s that time when you want to revive your spiritual life, you want to give everything to your God, you want to talk to Him and you also want to listen to Him. So, I do this with my friends and it’s nice to share this belief with them. The Lent period has strengthened our bond. We take it as a time of giving and a time of listening to God.

Rev. Mika Mugs Samuel, Bachelor of Divinity, first year.

The lent season gives one a humbling experience. And with that experience, it enables one to control their desires, to enable them develop a deep devotion and relationship with God. So, it is important for people to participate in activities of lent, such as fasting and self-sacrifice.

Egati Eric, Bachelor of Divinity, First year.

To me, fasting has been the norm ever since I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I fast during the lent period and ensure that I don’t do anything that could tempt me. On the health side of it, fasting has contributed to me reducing weight. The last time I weighed myself, I was told I was almost overweight, so fasting has helped keep my weight under control.

Alinda Catherine, Bachelor of Procurement and Logistics Management

The fasting period has drawn me closer to God and I’m learning to know more about myself. I think the Lent period should be taken seriously since it helps to draw people closer to Christ. It’s also an opportunity which makes people get to discover more about their spirituality and learn more about their faith.

Natukunda Joan, Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance, third year

During the fasting period, I have been able to do more and I have also learned how to talk to God better. The thing that I found challenging about fasting while on campus is that that is the time people who are not aware that you are fasting invite you for meals. Therefore, it calls for a high level of self-control.

Sanyu Rebecca Nina, Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance, third year

I have enjoyed this Lent season. I take breaks during my fast. The fasting is somewhat challenging, given that it is happening at a time when we have classes. However, the bottom line is that fasting can help one get closer to Christ. I would like to get closer to my Saviour. I think the university could improve on the quality of the Lent season for students by bringing up more related sessions during the community worship and sessions of prayer.

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Solar lamp gifts transform lives of UCU students

March 20, 2024Faculty of Public Health, Nursing and Midwifery, News, Solar Power, Students, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication, UCU School of LawEdwin Byarugaba

Rev. Brian Kluth demonstrating how the solar lamps work

By Irene Best Nyapendi
Whenever there is a power blackout in Mukono town, it affects the hostel where Diana Nakiyemba lives. As a result, the only option the fourth-year student of Bachelor of Laws at Uganda Christian University (UCU) had was traveling back to the main campus, so she can access electricity light to read her books.

Diana Nakiyemba poses with her solar lamp.

And she would not be alone. Nakiyemba, whose hostel of residence is hundreds of meters away from the university, says she often returned to the campus to get light for reading with a group of friends. There were days they would stay on campus up to midnight, reading. Some of such evenings were those the night before they wrote exams.

However, it is now safe to say such scenarios are a thing of the past for many at UCU. Nakiyemba and a group of other UCU community members are recent recipients of solar lamps donated to them by Brian Kluth, an American missionary. Kluth, a Christian speaker and writer, was at UCU as a guest preacher during the university’s Mission Week in mid-February.

The Mission Week is dedicated to spreading the message of Christ both on and off campus. Spearheaded by the UCU chaplaincy, the Week is intended to foster spiritual growth and community outreach through a series of impactful initiatives.

Rev. Brian Kluth with recipients of the solar lamps

One of the highlights of the Mission Week was the “Share the Light” event, where Kluth donated solar-powered lamps to more than 600 people who attended his talk. Kluth, known for his teachings on faith, delivered a sermon on the importance of generosity in Christian living.

Kluth said he was able to distribute the solar lamps after an unexpected encounter with a generous donor, who entrusted him with $40,000, which he was asked to use to bless others.

“Many people are hesitant to give because they fail to recognize the blessings that come from generosity,” Kluth said during his sermon.

The congregation during one of the services during the Mission Week

For the solar-powered lamp that Nakiyemba received, she is already reaping the benefits: Recently, she overcame her hostel power blackout to finish a class presentation. She turned to her newfound lifeline, the solar lamp, which she used as light to help her get her assignment ready.

“For as long as we have the lamps, I doubt we shall ever stay on campus till late in the night again,” she said.

Nathanael Simbilyabo, a final-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Journalism, Media and Communication at UCU, said he had never imagined the challenges that awaited him when he started staying in a private hostel outside the university. Simbilyabo had previously been living in a university hostel, which had access to a standby generator, to provide power whenever there was a blackout.

“Living without light is hard,” Simbilyabo said, adding: “This solar lamp has helped me, especially now that I’m writing my research dissertation.”

Some of the missioners who preached the gospel during mission week

Victoria Nantambi, a final-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Nursing Science at UCU, says she cherishes reading late in the night. And that cannot be supported by the unpredictable electricity power supply. So, whenever there was a power blackout, she would just abandon reading and go to bed. However, that is not happening anymore as she now takes advantage of the light from the solar-powered lamps whenever there is a blackout in her hostel.

The Rev. Henry Majwala, the Assistant Chaplain at UCU, explained that the intention of the Mission Week is to guide new students in their journey with Christ while providing opportunities for spiritual renewal and discipleship.

“Mission Week is about making Christ known, nurturing spiritual growth, and serving the community,” Majwala said.

Central to this semester’s theme of “Living by Faith,” derived from Habakkuk 2:4 were sermons on the role of faith in personal growth, financial stewardship and servant leadership.

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UCU Fitness Club empowers minds, bodies, spirits

March 1, 2024News, Students, UCU School of Business, UCU School of LawPatty Huston-Holm

Some participants in the UCU Fitness club

By Bena Nekesa
In the heart of Uganda Christian University (UCU), amidst the bustling academic endeavors and vibrant Mukono campus life, the UCU Fitness Club emerged.

The club visionary is Charles Miti, age 31, a student working toward a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance, School of Business. While he struggled with a weight of 94 kilograms (207 pounds), he knew that body image was more than physical fitness. He envisioned a journey of holistic transformation that encompasses mental resilience and spiritual growth not just for himself but others. Since its inception a year ago, the club has become a cornerstone of support and empowerment for its members, touching the lives of students in profound ways.

UCU Fitness Club participant, Joseph Kyeswa, warming up

The story of the UCU Fitness Club began when Charles engaged in a walk of 78.4 kilometers (48.7 miles) from Kampala to Jinja during the throes of the Covid-19 pandemic. The journey garnered others’ attention on social media platforms and further ignited a passion for health and fitness within Charles.

“I was inspired to create a space where others could embark on their own transformative voyages,” he said. “Walking is at the center of what we do, but it’s so much more. Fitness is medicine and is everything. Once you choose the road of fitness, you are cured physically, mentally and spiritually.”

With the support of like-minded individuals such as Edonu Emmanuel, a UCU School of Law student, the club took root, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie among its members. Charles’s brother, a medical doctor, Joseph Ssebanenya, played crucial roles in the club’s inception. At the 2024 program launch in February, the brother provided insights about health and fitness. Additionally, Charles’s family, including two sisters and their parents, who are retired farmers, formed a supportive foundation for his endeavors.

Through activities like hiking, swimming, and other physical challenges, the club members forged bonds that transcended mere acquaintanceship, evolving into a tight-knit community.

The American Medical Association reports exercise as a top contributor to a healthy and longer life. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO), regular exercise not only extends lifespan by up to 10 years, but also promotes overall health, reduces the risk of chronic diseases and enhanced cognitive function, leading to improved productivity and quality of life.

For Charles and the 50 other participants, the club represents more than just physical activity; it is a sanctuary of happiness and personal growth. Rejecting the allure of vices like clubbing and substance abuse, Charles and others have found fulfillment in the pursuit of holistic wellness.

“Through prayer, fellowship, and shared experiences, our members discovered the transformative power of nurturing both body and spirit,” he said.

The journey of the UCU Fitness Club has not been without its obstacles. From mobilizing members to overcoming usual college temptations of parties and societal misconceptions about fitness, the club faced its fair share of challenges.

Contrary to perceptions, the pursuit of fitness did not detract from academic pursuits; rather, it complimented them. Members found that physical activity enhanced their cognitive abilities and provided a welcome respite from the rigors of academic life. Discussions during club activities often led to insights that translated into academic success, demonstrating the symbiotic relationship between physical and mental wellness.

As the club gained momentum, it became a beacon of hope. Through support and encouragement, individuals struggling with issues ranging from self-esteem to addiction found solace and strength within the club’s embrace.

“Through collective efforts, we have created a supportive community where individuals thrived, not just academically, but also emotionally and spiritually,” Charles, now weighing 74 kgs (163 lbs.), reflected.

As Charles looks towards the future, he knows that the club’s journey is far from over. With each new member welcomed and each new challenge overcome, the legacy of the UCU Fitness Club should continue to thrive, empowering more minds, bodies, and spirits.

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Lawyer who escaped Kony insurgency wins elite South African scholarship

January 22, 2024News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of LawPatty Huston-Holm

Frank Mike Ogwang Uche joined UCU to study for a Bachelor of Laws in 2016. He said he made the decision to study law in Senior Six.

By Pauline Luba
Frank Mike Ogwang Uche grew up in a life of scarcity, sometimes hiding from the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) extremist group and intermittently being inspired by adults who worked as a driver and another as a teacher.

Schoolmates often bullied him for the things he lacked, mocking his poverty. For instance, while in secondary school, Ogwang says he was teased for owning only one pair of underwear. Though he tried to develop a thick skin, there were times he was overwhelmed to the point of contemplating suicide.

Indeed, the world is a better place with Ogwang in it – something recognized by many.

At UCU, Ogwang graduated with a second-class upper degree.

Now a lawyer, Ogwang managed to squeeze his way through the narrow passage of education, with his most recent academic achievement being admission to South Africa’s University of Cape Town under the Mandela Rhodes School scholarship. At the University of Cape Town, Ogwang will pursue a master’s degree in environment and energy law.

“When they (scholarship foundation) called, I was freaked out,” he said. “It was quite emotional, knowing that everything I believed in as a child was coming true.”

Pursuing a master’s degree in law at one of Africa’s elite universities is a dream come true for the sixth born in a family of 12 whose childhood life is one he wants to erase from his memories.

Ogwang, who was born in Soroti and raised in Lira, a district in northern Uganda, slept in the bush on many occasions as his family kept away from the atrocities committed by Uganda’s rebel leader Joseph Kony and his rebel group, the LRA. From 1986 and for 20 years, the LRA waged an armed struggle against the people of northern Uganda.

Since Ogwang’s peasant father — Atum Richard — had other families, it became difficult for him to provide the basic necessities for Ogwang and his siblings. As such, his mother — Akao Hellen — had to take over the full responsibility of caring for the family that often struggled to get food, clothing and school requirements.

When he joined Rehoboth Integrated High School in Jinja district, Ogwang met an American benefactor who sponsored his education up to the end of Senior Five. From university up to when he completed his Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Law Development Centre, Ogwang’s tuition and other basic needs were being met by a Canadian family.

In 2016, Ogwang joined Uganda Christian University (UCU) to study for a Bachelor of Laws. He said law was never his dream. In their neighborhood, there was a man who earned a living as a driver. That man, Ogwang says, inspired him to be a driver when he grew up. However, priorities later changed. His literature teacher in secondary school was so kind and inspirational that Ogwang almost got lured into a career in teaching.

However, each time as he looked at his past, what reflected back were the injustices due to the bullying he met because he did not have as much as his other schoolmates, as well as the injustices his family and the people in northern Uganda faced at the height of the insurgency caused by the LRA rebels. As such, Ogwang found a career in law.

“A child’s biggest asset is to have peace, and be able to play,” Ogwang said, adding: “I didn’t have that. We were always either running, sleeping in the bush, or hearing of abductions and violence.”

“I wanted to fix the injustices caused by the insurgency in northern Uganda. I wanted to find a way to help my community,” said Ogwang, who is a program Associate at Uganda National NGO Forum and currently a teaching assistant at UCU’s Kampala campus. He made the decision to pursue a career in law in Senior Six.

Once he set foot at UCU, Ogwang ignited his passion for leadership, serving as one of the student leaders, as well as in clubs he felt would help improve his social skills. For instance, he joined the International Justice Commission, as well as Para Counseling and the Africa Youth Leadership program, where he was able to groom social skills, meet several people and build his character.

“Frank is intelligent and creative,” Richard Agaba, a tax lawyer in Kampala, said. “For the time I have known him, he has grown more confident from a rather shy personality.” Agaba and Ogwang were students at UCU.

“I have never doubted his determination and I knew that from an early age,” Ogwang’s mom said, adding: “He is an ambitious man. He has overcome many obstacles to reach where he is. I am proud of him. This scholarship has come because he is always aiming higher, and it is a reward for that.”

At UCU, Ogwang graduated with a second-class upper degree and also set up businesses, such as salons, around the campus, to help supplement his income. The salons are still operational to date.

As Ogwang begins his postgraduate studies in South Africa, he hopes to use the knowledge he will acquire to support the transition to clean energy and offer environmental consultancy on the green economy.

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Waiswa defies odds to become UCU Kampala guild president

January 10, 2024News, Students, UCU School of LawPatty Huston-Holm

By Kefa Senoga
Were it not for charity, Waiswa Moses might not have made it to university studies. His twin sister, Namukose Babirye, temporarily put a halt to education after sitting her Senior Four exams because their single mother, Namugabu Jaliat, a market vendor, could not afford the school fees.

Many familiar with Waiswa’s background did not approve of his desire to contest for the highest office of student leadership at the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Kampala Campus. And their disapproval is not because they begrudged him the position of Guild President of the institution. They knew fully well the financial requirements to campaign. Even Waiswa knew he did not have the financial muscle to pull off a successful campaign.

But somehow, his mother, friends and students helped him to pool resources for his triumphant campaign. In December 2023, the third-year student of Bachelor of Laws was sworn in as the campus’ next Guild President, after he defeated his challenger, Molly Kebirungi.

The 22-year-old takes over power from Zedekkia Ssekyonda, a student in the School of Medicine who was the first medical student to lead the UCU Kampala guild presidency.

Waiswa and Mr. David Mugawe, the UCU Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration

In Ugandan politics, it is rare for people to fully fund one’s political campaigns of someone running for an electoral office. In most cases, it is the contestant who bears all the financial needs of running the campaigns for an electoral office, including facilitating the campaign agents.

Waiswa said in addition to providing the money, his friends also provided the vehicles he used for his campaigns. The money is usually used for fueling the cars, printing campaign fliers and posters and hiring a public address system and music to attract students to the campaign rallies.

In appreciation for the help he got from students and friends, Waiswa has aptly christened his leadership as the People’s Government. In his manifesto, Waiswa promised to “improve the academics, accountability, advocacy and level of sociability at the campus.”

Waiswa’s education has largely been courtesy of bursaries. Even currently, his tuition needs are being met by charity.

Waiswa joined Compassion International Uganda, a non-governmental organization, for leadership training, after completing his Senior Six. At the organization, Waiswa is a participant in the Leadership Development Initiative, a program that nurtures outstanding students into the leaders of tomorrow. The program empowers youth to become devoted disciples of Christ, unlocking their inherent potential and positively impacting their communities.

When Compassion International Uganda learned of the success of Waiswa in the elections, they congratulated him: “Through the Leadership Development Initiative, we focus on key outcomes such as growth in Christ, wellbeing, youth agency and self-sufficiency. We’re proud to see Hon. Waiswa Moses embodies these principles and we’re confident he will continue to make a meaningful difference in his role as guild President.”

Among the people watching keenly for Waiswa to complete his law degree are some of his five siblings, who are expecting that he will offer financial relief to them. His twin sister, Nakato, who hopes to become a nurse, says is soon joining a nursing and midwifery school to realize her dream.

Besides academics, Waiswa is also an enthusiastic scout. In 2018, he represented his school, Jinja Senior School located in eastern Uganda, at a scouts camp at the famous Ransburg Scout Reservation on the banks of Lake Monroe in Indiana, USA. At Jinja Secondary School, Waiswa was a student leader — the Head Boy from 2017 to 2018 and Head Prefect from 2019 to 2020.

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UCU students share thoughts on completing exams

January 3, 2024Faculty of Engineering, Design & Technology, News, Students, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication, UCU School of LawPatty Huston-Holm

The exam season in any school is usually a tense period, with all students doing last-minute checks on their notes to ensure they have grasped everything they consider important to enable them pass. Pauline Luba talked to some students at the end of exams just before Uganda Christian University closed for the Christmas holidays. Below was what they said.

Birungi Phillipah, Bachelors of Law, third year
All my exams were difficult, especially the closed-book ones. (In law, there are two types of exams – one where the student is allowed to use their books, otherwise called open-book exams. The other is closed-book, where they are not permitted to have their books in the exam room.). To make matters worse, the papers were one after another, with limited rest days among them. The advantage of that was that it enabled us to complete early, so as to be able to prepare for Christmas.

Isaac Elogu, Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering, third year.
It rained most of the mornings. That meant that I had to wake up quite early to make my way to the university before the rain started. Waking up so early, for instance at 6 a.m., was a challenge to me. However, all those challenges are forgotten when one completes the exams.

Nsaba Mellissa Kamikaze, Bachelors of Law, third year.
Sitting exams symbolize the end of a chapter. It shows that the semester is coming to an end. What I dislike about the exam period is the tension and the fact that we get less sleep, therefore we cannot get enough rest. If there was one thing I could change, it is developing compassion towards people who have not completed paying their tuition.

Kyaligonza Gary Timothy, Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering, third-year.
I don’t like the stress and the panic around the exam season. But, somehow, with time, we learn to take control of the situation. My most memorable moment during this semester that we’re ending was the engineering gala. I really enjoyed it.

Masolo Adrian, Bachelors of Law, second year.
I like the increase in the level of reading during the examination time because it prepares me for the career. Truth is if it was not for exams, there is a lot of information I would not get to know. However, I request that two weeks to the start of the exams, all lectures should stop, so we have adequate time to prepare for the papers. I dislike the unnecessary pressure.

Mirungi Marvin, Bachelors of Law, second year.
I don’t like it when the invigilator puts pressure on you towards the end of the paper. I have anxiety disorder because I am a slow writer, so maybe the invigilator should only tell us when it’s time up, at the end of the paper, not issue constant reminders. And, are exams really a gauge of the extent of our knowledge? I would prefer an evaluation of the learners after every topic taught.

Auma Immaculate, Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, third year
I am excited that I have completed my examinations and are heading home for the holidays. If there was one thing I could change about the exams, it is to leave the weekends free, so that at least the students can rest on Saturdays during the exam period.

Talemwa Deborah, Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, third year.
I like the exam period because I get the chance to see everyone on campus. However, I dislike the fact that the library gets crowded and becomes noisy because everyone is reading and preparing for their papers. The underside of the exam season is the WiFi gets slow, possibly because the traffic increases during that time.

Administrative view
Kisaakye Joshua, Assistant Registrar in charge of Exams, Academic Affairs Directorate.
We received reports of students going into the examination rooms with bags and phones and leaving them outside the rooms. We urge all students to follow the rules and leave their property in hostels during examinations.

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University quiz: UCU students hold their heads high despite loss at finals

December 25, 2023News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication, UCU School of LawPatty Huston-Holm

Dismas Nuwaine attributes their success over the other universities to being calm and composed.

By Pauline Luba
Francis Byaruhanga, Davis Asiimwe Mugisha, Nataline Judith Afoyorwoth and Dismas Nuwaine lost the finals of the inaugural Vision Group Ultimate University Quiz, but the students of Uganda Christian University (UCU) headed home with their heads high.

To them, a presence in the finals alone was more than they could have asked for. After all, a place in the finals already guaranteed each of them and their coach $138 (sh500,000) and a laptop. UCU lost to Mbarara University of Science (MUST) in the final battle of the university quiz that was televised on Friday, December 15.

Prossy Byaruhanga, the mother of Francis Byaruhanga

Each of the participating students of MUST and their coach received $263 (sh1m) and a laptop. Administrators of MUST got equipment worth $6,573 (sh25million) while those of UCU were awarded equipment worth $3,943 (sh15million) in the competition that has been airing on Vision Group TV every Friday and Sunday since October 27.

“From the time I started participating in the quiz, I have been reading newspapers more, in order to acquaint myself with current affairs. This is a new culture I have developed,” said Afoyorwoth. She noted that participating in the quiz has boosted her confidence levels.

For Byaruhanga, appearing in the press has been a dream come true. Whenever they participated in the quiz, in addition to appearing on TV, the names and photos of Byaruhanga and his colleagues also appeared in the New Vision newspaper. Nuwaine has been taking photos of the stories in the newspaper where he appeared and sharing them on his Whatsapp status, as well as on his X (formerly Twitter) page.

“Sharing photos of the articles was my way of thanking God for what He has done in my life,” Nuwaine said.

Byaruhanga (right) with his siblings — Daniel Manige and Maria Kansiime

To Afoyorwoth, the quiz has enhanced her research skills. Two weeks to the start of the quiz, the students engaged in intense research, to be ready to face the quiz mistress, Lydia Lakwonyero. When Afoyorwoth informed her father, Dr. Julius Adubango, about being selected to represent her university at the quiz, he walked with her throughout her journey of preparation for the contest.

“My father often called me to ask random questions, trying to gauge my level of preparedness. Shockingly, some of the things he asked me appeared in the quiz. For instance, the name of the current Deputy Governor of the Bank of Uganda, as well as the names of former governors,” Afoyorwoth said.

However, Davis Asiimwe Mugisha believes the two weeks of preparation would not enable one to gather all the knowledge they needed to answer the questions. He says at the quiz, he discovered that one ought to have been paying attention to history, as well as news and current affairs throughout their life.

A photo of one of the articles published in New Vision that Dismas Nuwaine posted on his Twitter handle after the finals qualification in the Ultimate University Challenge

“I took advantage of the information I learned from as early as Primary Three to answer the questions,” Asiimwe said.

How did UCU navigate past three universities to reach the finals?Asiimwe said that each time they prayed, they asked God to show them the fruits of putting all their trust in Him. “It is that belief in God,” he said, “that enabled us to overcome a tense quarterfinal contest against Soroti University.” That contest was televised on November 19.

To face off with Soroti, UCU had to knock out Kampala International University in the first round. In the semifinals, UCU defeated Victoria University to book a contest with MUST in the finals. Nuwaine attributes their success to being calm and composed.

“We respected all our opponents and took each game with the level of seriousness they deserved,” he explained, noting that of all the contests before the final, it was Soroti University that gave them a run for their money. They thus aptly named that contest the “final before the final.”

UCU beat Soroti by only one correct answer, scoring 240 points against 230 points. Each correct answer earned them 10 points. A total of 80 questions were asked for both teams in each episode of the quiz. The team says they watched lots of online university quizzes to get a feel of the kind of questions that are asked.

Nataline Judith Afoyorwoth said participating in the quiz has helped enhance her research skills.

Parents, friends add to the fanfare
Speaking on the phone from Nakibizzi in Buikwe district, eastern Uganda, Prossy Byaruhanga, the mother of Francis Byaruhanga, could not hide her joy, saying her son had uplifted the status of her family. Prossy, a housewife, said whenever Byaruhanga appeared on TV during the debate and in the newspaper after the debate, people who know him would call her, to express their happiness.

“Francis has been a good debater; he is disciplined and respects people in the community. No wonder everyone is excited about his performance in the quiz,” said Prossy, a mother of four — Byaruhanga, Daniel Manige, Maria Kansime, and Edgar Atuheire. Prossy was unable to watch the quiz because she does not own a TV set.

Byaruhanga, a year-four student of Bachelor of Laws at UCU, said to continue inspiring his family members, he will use part of the $138 (sh500,000) that he has earned from the quiz to buy for his brother — Manige — a scientific calculator and an Oxford Learner’s Dictionary for Atuheire. Manige will be in Senior Six next year while Atuheire will be in Primary Seven.

Byaruhanga said his father, Damiano Byaruhanga, who, because of sickness, moves with the aid of crutches, will also receive a gift from him when he goes home for holidays soon.

At UCU, Byaruhanga has already started enjoying the fringe benefits of participating in the quiz. For instance, his friend, Charles Miti, who sells fruits, delivered fruits to his room at the university, thanking him for “participating in a competition that enables you to think.” Actions like these, Byaruhanga says, have helped to build his self-esteem.

The inaugural Vision Group quiz attracted a record 16 universities in Uganda. The media conglomerate partnered with the country’s central bank — Bank of Uganda — Net Studios Africa, Centenary Bank and Georgina to execute the quiz. According to Wanyama Wangah, the co-ordinator of the quiz at Vision Group, the questions were designed to encourage students to read widely and beyond their academic fields. The questions covered the areas of banking, economics, agriculture, current affairs, world geography, global history, science, sports, arts, commerce and world trade.

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Agira embarks on guild presidency to honor late mother

December 20, 2023News, Students, UCU School of LawPatty Huston-Holm

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, introduces Birungi Agira to the university community.

By Kefa Senoga
The November 2023 battle for the position of Uganda Christian University (UCU) Guild President was too close to call. At the time the university’s election officials announced the results, the winner was holed up in her hostel room. Birungi Agira said she, too, was not sure who would emerge the eventual winner.

“On some days during the campaigns, we would be welcomed with cheers and on other days, the reception was cold — some people would clearly show us that they were not bothered,” Agira said.

However, when the results were announced on November 15, Agira had defeated Emmanuel Abura by just 133 votes to become UCU’s 26th guild president. She recieved 1,156 votes against Abura’s 1023. The third-year student of Bachelor of Laws was sworn in on November 21. She takes over the reins from Timothy Ddumba, a third-year student of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, as she realizes a dream she has harbored since she joined UCU.

As soon as she joined the university, Agira said she went on a campaign to promote herself, by actively participating in university activities, including outreach programs organized by the university administration and student leaders.

Birungi Agira taking the oath as guild president

It is such enthusiasm that earned Agira leadership positions during her earlier years of study. At Mbarara Junior School, where Agira spent all her seven years of primary education, she was a student leader in charge of religious affairs. At Bweranyangi Girls School, a prominent girls-only school in western Uganda, where Agira spent all the six years of secondary education, she was also one of the student leaders.

While at UCU, as an enthusiast of debates, she engaged in moots within the law school. She also was an advocate for students’ rights. Agira said whenever there was something not right, she would approach the Dean of the School of Law, to represent the concerns of her fellow students.

All this she did to endear herself to both the staff and the students so that her name and face could be easily recognizable once it came to the time of campaigns.

Though she defeated Abura, Agira has immense respect for her competitor and she says she is willing to bring him on board so they work together to develop the university. “I have observed his qualities, and I believe that he possesses the characteristics of a good leader,” Agira said of Abura.

As guild president, a key part of her mission is to bridge the gap between the student leaders and the students. She believes that these two should work closely, which is why she campaigned under the slogan “inclusivity in action.”

Some of the key players in Agira’s journey to the position of guild president have been her family members who she says supported her throughout the campaigns.

Before the death of her mother, Anne Assimwe Kankiriho, early this year, Agira had informed her of the desire to contest for the top student leadership office. Agira said the death of her mother added her the extra motivation to win the elections so she could fulfill Assimwe’s wish for her daughter.

Her father, the Rev. Canon Kankiriho Robert, said when his daughter informed him of her desire, he pledged to provide the necessary support she would require.

“Whereas I encouraged her to participate in leadership, I challenged her to maintain her academic acumen in order to be a good leader,” said Kankiriho, the parish priest of Nyabuhama in the western Uganda district of Sheema. Kankiriho is also the humanitarian and resources officer in the Anglican diocese of West Ankole.

Three members of Agira’s family are alumni of UCU. Kankiriho obtained his master’s degree in public administration from UCU. Assimwe, who was also a teacher at Bweranyangi Girls School, earned her master’s degree in public health from UCU.

The family’s firstborn, Ashaba Alex, also received his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from UCU, in 2018. While at UCU, Ashaba was one of the student leaders. He later worked in the accounts department of the university, as well as with the Uganda Studies Program (USP) at UCU.

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Ndishakiye on mission to combat Ugandan illiteracy

November 16, 2023News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Education, UCU School of LawPatty Huston-Holm

Caleb Ndishakiye, a UCU School of Education alum, poses with children during a school outreach.

By Kefa Ssenoga
When you sit down for a conversation with Caleb Ndishakiye, he does not need to mention his love for literature. His diction validates that. And if you sit with him for a longer time, you also will discover that he has a deep passion for communication, the promotion of literacy and sharing knowledge.

Ndishakiye has been fortunate to earn a living from his passion. His first attempt at teaching was in 2011 during his long holidays after writing his end of Senior Six national exams. An unlicensed teacher, he nevertheless taught literature at Seseme Girls Secondary School and Mutorele Boys Secondary School. Both schools are in Ndishakiye’s native area of Kisoro, southwestern Uganda.

Despite the passion of sharing knowledge, Ndishakiye did not envisage a career in teaching. Early in his secondary education, he developed a love for law, which he applied to study at Uganda Christian University (UCU).

“I wanted to pursue a course in law when I joined UCU, but interestingly, I was admitted for education,” he said. “I decided to pursue it and still be excellent at it!”

Ndishakiye and Patricia on their Dec. 7, 2019, wedding day at Thornycroft Chapel Kyaggwe, UCU.

He has never regretted the idea of pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education. He acknowledges that this move has had a significant impact on who he is now. Ndishakiye began his studies at UCU in 2012 and graduated in 2015. While at UCU, He was in the Honors College.

Barely a year after graduation, Ndishakiye was hired as a teaching assistant in the UCU foundations department. He was primarily teaching writing and study skills, and occasionally teaching in the literature department, particularly course units like the Bible as literature and other English language short courses.

His teaching journey at UCU began in 2016 after returning from a one-year mission and a leadership development program at Nairobi Chapel, Kenya, courtesy of the UCU chaplaincy and the community as a whole.

“UCU, particularly the Thornycroft Chapel, had a partnership with Nairobi Chapel in Kenya, where two missionaries were sent for a program. I was one of the two,” Ndishakiye says.

He was attached to the Teens’ church, which also is famously known as Club Expressions, an experience he says exposed them to an international perspective to life.

In 2018, after two years of teaching at UCU, Ndishakiye got a one-year opportunity to teach English language and Literature in English at Seroma Christian High School in Mukono. He needed more time to attend to his newly found passion for literacy programming and children’s literature through Glow-Lit Uganda, an organization he founded earlier that year. With UCU, he continued to serve until 2020 when Uganda closed schools due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In August 2020, the Reading Association of Uganda invited Ndishakiye to work on a project that was opening up in Uganda.

“I was invited as the Programs Specialist to support the national technical portfolio of the association, and support the development of storybooks in Luganda and Runyankore-Rukiga,” he said.

He noted that in the role, his other tasks were “establishing libraries in Government primary schools and supporting their management and use, training of teachers and developing materials to support the lower primary school teaching of reading Luganda and Runyankore-Rukiga.”

The Room to Read Uganda project at the Reading Association of Uganda is sponsored by Room to Read, an organization that, according to their website, envisions a world in which “all children can pursue a quality education that prepares them to lead fulfilled lives and make positive change — in their families, communities and the world.”

Working closely with the Ministry of Education and Sports, the project has developed 154 storybook titles, two learner books, and two teachers’ guides in Luganda and Runyankore-Rukiga. It also involves training with teachers, government, publishers, and book value-chain players to build writing, illustration, design, and editing capacity, especially for children’s literature.

Ndishakiye argues that the Ugandan book market has not given sufficient focus to children’s literature. He is now an advocate for quality children’s literature production, distribution and use.

Ndishakiye is the third born of eight children of Richard and Lydia Ndishakiye. He completed his primary education at Muganza Primary School in Kisoro district. He studied O’level at Chahi Seed Senior Secondary School and A’level at Trinity College Kabale. Compassion International, an international charity organization, paid part of his school fees in primary and secondary school. At the university, he says, the charity paid all the school fees.

He is married to Patricia and the couple has a son, Jordan, age two.

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New UCU students share decisions, expectations

October 9, 2023Faculty of Engineering, Design & Technology, News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication, UCU School of LawPatty Huston-Holm

The Advent (September) semester at Uganda Christian University (UCU) welcomes a cohort of newly admitted students pursuing various courses at the institution. The university held an induction ceremony for all new students on September 26, 2023, to officially welcome and absorb them into the university culture and community. Just as in other higher institutions of learning, at UCU, the newcomers are commonly referred to as “freshers” since they are embarking on a fresh journey in the university. Kefa Senoga had a chat with some of the freshers. Some expectations are shared here.

I am a first-year Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering at UCU. My choice of UCU was influenced by my relatives who have studied at the university and excelled in their careers. I believe that UCU will provide me with the essential training needed to realize my goals. I anticipate encountering a stiff academic environment, given the nature of my course. Nevertheless, I believe that with access to qualified lecturers and a well-equipped Hamu Mukasa Library, I will successfully overcome the challenges.

As a sports enthusiast, I am eagerly anticipating the use of the sports facilities at UCU. I look forward to engaging in various sports activities, such as soccer and basketball, which I actively participated in during my time in high school.

Khauka Ronald

My motivation for enrolling at UCU and pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology was because I wanted to enhance my technological competence. I have already taught myself some aspects of information technology and hope to use the course to further my understanding of the field, as well as receive formal academic recognition, as well as further refine my skills.

I don’t expect to face significant challenges because of my deep passion for the subject. My main concerns at campus revolve around non-academic aspects, particularly to do with social well-being. As a non-resident, my primary concern lies in ensuring I’m well-prepared in terms of food and sustenance.

The first time I visited the main campus at Mukono, I was blown away by its beauty. I am also hopeful that the training that I will receive at UCU will make me one of the best journalists in the country. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Communication course.

I also look forward to forming friendships with people who have a strong faith in God during my time at UCU, since the institution is rooted on Christian values.

I believe UCU grooms the best law students in Uganda. My parents, too, share this belief, which is why they never considered any other institution for my law studies. UCU has earned a reputation in teaching law, and that’s why I chose it – to excel and build a name in my career.

As a Christian, I was determined to ensure that my Christian values remained steadfast as I embarked on my university journey. That’s why I made the deliberate choice to attend UCU, a prestigious Christian institution. In fact, my hope is to emerge from UCU even stronger in faith.

Welikhe Sam
I am eager to grow and upgrade in my studies at the institution. After falling short of the required points for my preferred course, which is Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering, with the support of my parents, I made the decision to enrol in the Higher Education Certificate program so that I can eventually be able to qualify for the engineering course. The minimum duration of the Higher Education Certificate program is nine months.

My other goal at UCU is to seize the opportunity for spiritual growth and development. I plan to engage in chapel services, prayer groups and various Christian ministries as part of my personal journey. This aspect of the university is one of the reasons I find UCU appealing.

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Former UCU guild president returns to study theology

September 8, 2023Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology, News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of LawPatty Huston-Holm

Philip Mugume Baitwa is a year-three student at UCU.

By Pauline Luba
Uganda Christian University (UCU) student, Philip Mugume Baitwa, attests to the fact that life is partly made by the caliber of friends we choose.

At 15 years of age, and while a student of Mbarara High School in western Uganda, Baitwa sought to befriend classmates who he thought would inspire him to social and academic heights. He succeeded in making friends, but did not succeed in gaining positively from the friendships.

Influenced by substance abuse, pornography addiction and juvenile delinquency, Baitwa says he was violent and a bully by senior four. He led many student strikes at school.

“I was lost,” said Baitwa, who was raised by a Christian grandfather, a canon in the Anglican Church in Uganda. While engaged in negative life choices, Baitwa said there were times he felt uncomfortable that he had separated himself from the religious teachings that his grandfather emphasized.

“Every time I was lost, there was a voice in my head telling me I was in the wrong, though I ignored it,” Baitwa said.

The 34-year-old eventually listened to the voice that was showing him the right path. He is now a year-three student pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at UCU.

He said his turning point came when he joined Valley College High School in western Uganda for A’level after many people spoke to him about changing his ways for the better.

In 2010, Baitwa joined UCU to pursue a Bachelor of Laws, a course he says was largely influenced by his father’s desire.

“My father did not study his dream course — law — unlike his brothers,” Baitwa said. “And that saddened him. Someone, however, told him that if he got a son one day, he could live his dream in his son.” Baitwa’s father, Enoch Tumusiime Baitwa, instead studied a certificate course in veterinary medicine.

Upon admission in 2010, Baitwa already had it in his mind to contest for the position of Guild President at UCU. He had been a student leader before. While in Kitwe Town Primary School in western Uganda, Baitwa was a time-keeper, health leader and eventually became the school’s top leader.

In 2013, he was successful in the guild elections. One memorable thing about Baitwa’s leadership was changing the semester for voting for student leaders at UCU from January-May to September-December. And to justify the change, the Baitwas reasoned that in the January-May semester, many of the students are either on holiday or in internships so they would not participate in the voting of their leaders. They, thus, preferred the September-December semester, that had every student at school.

After graduating from his law course in 2014, it did not take Baitwa long to realize that despite the law degree, his heart was elsewhere. “I didn’t like sitting behind a computer for long. I’m an outgoing person and I like to socialize,” Baitwa said.

In 2020, Baitwa said he experienced what many describe as the “call to Christ.” He began to have constant communication within himself, directing himself towards Christ and the service of God. Finally, in 2021, he returned to UCU to study divinity.

Many friends and family members, however, rebuked him for the decision, with some calling it “foolish.” Even some of his church leaders, he said, could not readily believe the decision he had taken.

“Theology is the queen of all subjects,” Baitwa said of the reason for the switch. “We see it in all other courses. The legal framework is from the Bible.”

Baitwa hopes to combine his knowledge of the law with that of divinity once he graduates, to be able to “fill the legal gaps in church.” The father of three children — three years, one year and a three-month old baby — says his ultimate life goal is to see people live for God’s purpose, regardless of what career they are pursuing.

To give his family a livelihood during the time he is in school, Baitwa trained his wife — Peace Mugume — on how to handle investments and how to run the family farm.

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UCU awards law alumni who graduated as best lawyers

August 7, 2023COVID-19, UCU Alumni, UCU School of LawPatty Huston-Holm

(Left to Right) Peter Mutesasira, the Dean UCU Faculty of Law, and Jemimah Jehopio, Emmanuel Okia and Shamira Kitimbo celebrate. Jehopio scored a CGPA of 4.70 and captured the three awards at LDC - the Director’s Award, Agaba Muhairwe Prize and the Inspector General of Government accolade. — (Left to Right) Peter Mutesasira, the Dean UCU Faculty of Law, and Jemimah Jehopio, Emmanuel Okia and Shamira Kitimbo celebrate. Jehopio scored a CGPA of 4.70 and captured the three awards at LDC – the Director’s Award, Agaba Muhairwe Prize and the Inspector General of Government accolade.

By Irene Best Nyapendi
Work, dedication and discipline paid off for the Uganda Christian University (UCU) School of Law class of 2020/2021 as these graduates topped the list at the 50th Law Development Center (LDC) graduation. Among the top 20 students who scored a first-class degree at the LDC graduation in June, 10 did their Bachelor’s Degree at UCU.

Emmanuel Okia, the overall best student receiving his award from the UCU Vice Chancellor.

Before anyone can practice law in Uganda, they must have a Post-Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (one academic year) from LDC on top of a degree from a recognized university. UCU is among a dozen Ugandan schools offering a law degree.

In appreciation of their achievement, UCU held a thanksgiving ceremony to honor these distinguished alumni. The recognition on July 11 at Nkoyoyo Hall followed the recently concluded LDC graduations at LDC campuses in Kampala, Lira and Mbarara districts.

Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, the UCU Vice Chancellor, commended the School of Law staff for their roles in graduates’ success and encouraged alumni to consider working at UCU.

Martha Uwizeye is presented with an award by the UCU Vice Chancellor. Uwizeye was among the UCU students whose studies were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic that saw institutions halt physical classes and completed the semester online.

“This has been possible because we have a God we serve, a mighty God, and so we shall be a mighty university,” Mushengyezi said.

In appreciation of the performance, UCU management approved the purchase of a new van for the faculty and renovation of their offices. Star students were given individual awards.

Rev. Assoc. Prof. John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa, the UCU Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), who attended the graduation at Kampala campus, said he was “filled with extreme joy” that the top four students were from UCU.

We want to thank the Lord because it has not been by power nor might, but it has been by the Spirit of the living God,” Kitayimbwa said.

Dr. Peter Mutesasira, Dean of the UCU School of Law, said the recent accomplishment wasn’t an easy task but is a reflection of the rigor at UCU.

“Your great performance at LDC has proved that beyond the gates of UCU, our students continue to excel, and this has proved that we indeed produce the best,” he said. “We thank God we are here. I usually tell my students I am the film star of the School of Law, but for today these are our film stars.”

He urged other students pursuing Law at UCU to be firm and know that they are in the right place.

The alumni show off their awards in a photo with the Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi (front-row third left) and other university officials. UCU had 10 of the best 20 students who scored a first-class degree at the Law Development Centre graduation in June

“We hope you will be an inspiration to those who are coming after you,” Mutesasira said. “We believe that even those after you will hold our flag higher and this is not the end; this is the journey that is just starting for you.”

During the event, the Vice Chancellor awarded the distinguished graduands.

The stars included Emmanuel Okia, the best performer at LDC this year with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.90; Shamira Kitimbo, the best female student at LDC with 4.80; Reagan Ahumuza, the best at Kampala campus with 4.75. The others included Victor Stephen Bwambale with 4.60; Job Ernest Ayesiga (4.55); Samuel Odiye (4.50); Martha Uwizeye (4.40); and Namagembe Josephine Jojo (4.40).

Jemimah Jehopio, who scored a CGPA of 4.70, scooped the three awards at LDC – the Director’s Award, Agaba Muhairwe Prize (given to best student in corporate and commercial practice on the postgraduate bar course) and the Inspector General of Government accolade (for outstanding student in trial advocacy).

“These awards represent the fulfillment of my dreams,” Jehopio said. “These accolades acknowledge my dedication and are pivotal for my future career endeavors.”

“I am humbled by such a profound gesture,” said Samuel Odiye (4.50). “We thank God for UCU, a place where knowledge meets opportunity, where dreams are nurtured, and where lifelong friendships are forged.”.

The graduates were among the first group of UCU students that did a take home exam during the Covid-19 lockdown disruptions in 2020. They completed their semester online and had a virtual graduation. All that notwithstanding, they excelled, joined LDC and topped in the country.

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‘If God gave his only son, we can give this’

July 31, 2023News, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Education, UCU School of LawPatty Huston-Holm

Some primary students being served by Teach for Uganda fellows in Mayuge District

Text by Patty Huston-Holm, visuals by Irene Best Napendi
Daphine Oitamong talks about Sophie who walked to school two kilometers (1.3 miles) barefooted with rat bites on her heels. Nannyanga Restetuta talks about Dora who went from “jolly and active” to being withdrawn after her parents left her in the care of a sexually abusive uncle. Nancy Ongom, who mentions the name Jafa, grapples to pick just one.

There are so many.

Daphine, Nancy and Restetuta, who prefers the name Resty, are Uganda primary school teachers with over 100 students per class. While they barely know each other and work in different schools, the young women share the distinction of being Teach for Uganda fellows, having Uganda Christian University (UCU) degrees and owning a passion to serve “the least of these,” as they know from Matthew 25:40.

UCU School of Education alum, Daphine Oitamong, with one of her students and the custodial grandmother

The three UCU alum are among 226 men and women engaged in two-year fellowships helping the poorest of the poor ages 4 to 10 in Uganda’s Kayunga, Mayuge, Namutumba, Mukono, Buikwe, Namayingo and Bugiri districts, according to Decimon Wandera, who serves as a coach for the fellows.

Charlotte Iraguha, co-founder and managing director for the seven-year-old Teach for Uganda NGO, says there are 40,000 students in 151 public schools where fellows are assigned. Uganda has nearly nine million elementary school children. Charlotte, a former teacher, explained that her organization’s model has government teachers working alongside fellows to build a “full child – not just focusing on grades.” Fellows with degrees in various programs teach children and, as time permits, engage with parents.

“When I first came here, I thought I had arrived in another country,” Daphine said of the primitive, rural Namutumba area of the Kamudooke Primary School where she teaches. “I grew up in Kampala and never traveled here.”

UCU Law alum, Nancy Ongom, teaching Kaluuba Primary students in Mayuge District

Namutumba is more than four hours from Uganda’s capital city as well as four hours from where Resty and Nancy teach in Mayuge district. The often-rugged roads leading to all three schools are lined with brick and mud-and-wattle homes, children carrying jerry cans of water from bore holes and fields of bananas, maize, cassava and sugarcane.

According to Decimon, 70 percent of the fellows stick it out despite that most didn’t grow up the way the schools’ students are.

Resty, 26, and Daphine, 29, who graduated with UCU Bachelor of Arts in Education degrees in 2021; and Nancy, 29, who got her UCU degree in law in 2017, are part of the retention group. For them, what started out as sh550,00 ($150) per month for a job vs. no job at all has become a mission for positive change and a reminder of the biblical lessons from UCU.

UCU School of Education alum, Nannyanga Restetuta, teaching English

Quoting Luke 6:38 “give and it shall be given unto you,” Nancy said she interprets that verse to include love, compassion and skill that could break the cycle of poverty she sees every day. She entered her teaching post at Kaluuba Primary School with no formalized pedagogical training but a drive to “go deep in humanitarian action,” to challenge herself and to learn what she could from trained government teachers.

Resty and Daphine applaud the teacher training that came with their undergraduate degrees, citing the value of psychology, discipline and teaching methods they gleaned from the classroom. At the same time, they point out practical experience gaps – especially when working with children in high-poverty, rural areas. These children come to school dirty and hungry or not at all as they are needed at home to plant and harvest food. One frequently absent student explained that her belly is full if she climbs a tree to eat mangos near her home but empty as she sits at a desk at school.

“The school provides porridge as the main food for children during lunch but only for those whose parents can afford to bring some maize so we still have a lot who go the whole day without a meal,” Nancy said. “It breaks my heart.”

Resty and other teachers at Kigandaalo Primary School, start each day with a 7:45 a.m. hair, teeth, body, clothing cleanliness check. Discovery of lice means the child goes home.

“Many days, it helps to remember the servanthood, diligence and Christ-centeredness that was part of our UCU character building because that is what we do,” Resty said. “At the same time, I see now that our university life was too soft. We weren’t prepared for work this hard.”

Hard means understanding a non-native language from children and parents with little to no knowledge of English in a country with as many as 70 different dialects. Resty and Daphine have Luganda mother tongue in schools with children speaking Lusoga and Ateso, respectively. Nancy, who speaks Acholi from her native Gulu, is surrounded daily by indigenous Lusoga speakers.

“Every child is capable of learning,” says Uganda Christian University (UCU) alum, Nancy Ongom. This video, shot on July 10, 2023, gives a snapshot of how UCU graduates are teaching Uganda’s most economically disadvantaged children through a program called Teach for Uganda. (https://www.teachforuganda.org)

Dr. James Taabu Busimba, Head of the Department of Literature and Languages, UCU School of Education, agreed with the value of academic application in real-world contexts. “Knowledge gained is as useless as pride if filed away and never applied,” he said, repeating a quote often attributed to several writers and politicians.

On one day in July, Resty was using phonics and memorization to teach English while Nancy was teaching numbers and how to add them together. Crammed at desks in the two school locations, children were sounding out the words “poison” and “chicken” for Resty and adding the numbers three and four to equal seven for Nancy.

For the three UCU teaching alum, the work doesn’t end with a school day among small children. Their afternoon hours may find them seated with a child’s custodial parent, helping the secondary girls make and understand how to re-use sanitary pads, preparing lessons for the next day and fundraising. Using their UCU alum network, they have raised money for food and clothing for their neediest schoolchildren.

“I learned the value of helping others through UCU’s Save the Buddy program,” Daphine said. “At UCU, we would be looking around, especially at exam time, to see if we had extra money to help classmates pay fees so they can sit for exams.”

According to Daphine, Nancy and Resty, living amongst latrines, filth and dust and the challenged home lives of the children seated before them contains many life lessons and reminders of how Jesus might have lived.

Like Jesus, Daphine feels she is going deep and “testing my strength.” Resty believes that the work in the schools, no matter how difficult, is preparing them for other opportunities. Most days, the three are exhausted but ready to give more.

“If God gave his only son, we can give this,” Nancy said.

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