Category Archives: UCU Alumni

Rev. Fr. Dr. Bonaventure Ssebyanzi Wasswa at his 2024 graduation.

Ssebyanzi, a beacon of hope for the disabled

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Rev. Fr. Dr. Bonaventure Ssebyanzi Wasswa at his 2024 graduation.
Rev. Fr. Dr. Bonaventure Ssebyanzi Wasswa at his 2024 graduation.

By Eriah Lule
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Luke 4:18-19 was the spark that lit Rev. Fr. Dr. Bonaventure Ssebyanzi Wasswa’s effort to advocate for the marginalized.  This scripture served as the catalyst from the day he set his foot at Mulago Catholic Parish in Kampala, which had a school for the deaf, in its compound in 2008.

Rev. Fr. Dr. Bonaventure Ssebyanzi Wasswa
Rev. Fr. Dr. Bonaventure Ssebyanzi Wasswa

Having served as missionary with the Spiritans Missionary within the Catholic church and with his background as a primary teacher back in 1995, he couldn’t let the candle burn out. He started teaching in the parish school and later became its Incharge (head teacher).

Ssebyanzi witnessed different challenges and gaps faced by special needs children –  especially the deaf – while trying to pursue their education.

He enrolled for a Postgraduate Diploma in Special Needs in 2009 – 2010 and later for a master’s degree in Education Administration and Management, majoring in Special Needs Education, at Kyambogo University, a public institution in Uganda.

It is with such a background and zeal that Ssebyanzi decided to pursue his PhD in Education Administration and Management from Uganda Christian University (UCU) in 2017. He graduated in 2024.

Ssebyanzi’s thesis focused on these hearing impaired students’ transition from lower-primary to post-primary sections like secondary schools and vocational institutes.

“At my master’s research, I looked at the implementation of disability policies in schools, while at my PhD I focused on these students transitioning from lower-primary to post-primary sections,” he said. “In primary schools, you will find numbers, yet in post-primary, you don’t see them, which means many are not empowered to be self-reliant.”

He carried out  his research across the different regions of the country and was shocked to find out that the country has only two secondary schools for the deaf. These are located in Mbale in the eastern region and in Wakiso in the central region.

Ssebyanzi’s findings further revealed that whereas the country has one special needs department of education; it is at Kyambogo University. Many special needs schools don’t have specialised special needs teachers but rather any teacher is sent, and they learn on the job.

He further affirmed that children feel more comfortable during school times since they are surrounded by supportive circles that don’t exist at home, which conveyed the kind of treatment they get from their communities.

He recommended that Special Needs teachers should be exposed to other kind  of impairments in their trainings; that a National Policy of the Disability could be forcefully implemented; and that civil education and campaigns are launched to raise awareness. This policy should address enhancing educational departments to boost the training of Special Needs teachers and more research and publications on the area of impairment to have a wider literature for reference and advocacy.

But, who is Ssebyanzi?
The 50-year-old was born to the late Tiburitio and Mary Namugga Kaweesi of Kalisizo, Kyotera District, in the central part of the country. Ssebyanzi is the second born of the couple’s nine children.

Kalisizo, Uganda – birthplace of Ssebyanzi
Kalisizo, Uganda – birthplace of Ssebyanzi

Despite his late father being a devoted lay leader in the church, the son initially resisted the calling to follow in his father’s footsteps. At that, after attaining his certificate as a Grade III teacher from Rakai Teachers College from 1993-1995 and teaching for three years, he decided to join the seminary in 1998 and was in formation (training in becoming a priest) for 10 years.

He attended the Urban University in Rome’s affiliate in Arusha, Tanzania, from 1999-2002 for his Degree in Philosophy. He later joined Tagaza College, an affiliate of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, for his degree in theology and majored in biblical theology from 2003-2007.

He was ordained as a priest in 2008 and started his missionary work first in Kampala and later in Mulago.

Currently, Ssebyanzi serves as formator (a priest that trains future priests) at the Namugongo Post Lance Centre, a place he served as the rector but stepped down to pursue his PhD.

His candle for the disabled burns vigorously for a world where they would live better and be self reliant.

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Uganda Christian University has many alumni stories like this one.  To support  programs, students, activities, and services, go to  www.ugandapartners.org  and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at  m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

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Some of the awardees who received plaques as part of UCU’s new performance-based staff awards with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi (front, center)

UCU awards exceptional staff at end-of-year community worship

Faculty, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Design & Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Nursing and Midwifery, Journalism, News, Science and Technology, Sports, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Business, UCU School of Education, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication, UCU School of Medicine, UCU School of Social Sciences, ,


Some of the awardees who received plaques as part of UCU’s new performance-based staff awards with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi (front, center)
Some of the awardees who received plaques as part of UCU’s new performance-based staff awards with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi (front, center)

By Irene Best Nyapendi
An early November 2024 call from the Human Resource and Administration (HR & A) Directorate of Uganda Christian University (UCU) to Suzan Ekadu found her phone off. Nevertheless, the caller sent her a congratulatory message. When Ekadu, an Assistant Registrar at Uganda Christian University (UCU), finally checked her messages, she straightaway thought she was being transferred to another faculty. 

“I hope you are not transferring me again, because I will not go,” she quickly replied, saying she had just been transferred from the Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology to the School of Business.

However, she realized moments later that the congratulations were to recognize her for exceptional service to the university.

Annually, UCU has been awarding staff members who make a milestone of 10 years of service. However, this year, it was different. A total of 31 employees were recognized for exceptional service, as part of UCU’s new performance-based staff awards.

Suzan Ekadu receives her award for excellent service from UCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi.
Suzan Ekadu receives her award for excellent service from UCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi.

Winning this award not only made Ekadu feel appreciated, but also ignited her motivation to achieve even more. 

“This award has shown me that our efforts are recognized,” said Ekadu, who joined the university as an employee nearly 10 years ago. She says through her work, she has learned so much about the policies that shape teaching and learning.

UCU’s quality of education has made an impression on industry practitioners. Ekadu says many universities have been coming “here to benchmark our practices, especially in examination coordination, where I served for some time; this speaks volumes about our commitment to excellence.” 

Ekadu was one of the 31 awardees who received plaques on November 26, 2024 at the university’s end-of-year community worship held at the Main Campus’ Nkoyoyo Hall. 

Deo Musekura, one of the university’s drivers, and an awardee, could not hide his excitement when he learned he would be honored. 

Five days before the awards ceremony, while on duty at UCU’s Kampala Campus, he received a call from the Human Resource Directorate, informing him of the good news. 

“I was pleasantly surprised and overjoyed to hear that I would be among the staff recognized. This shows that the people I work for appreciate what I do,” said Musekura. He  has worked for UCU for four years. 

During the awards ceremony, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Mr. David Mugawe, explained how the awards were established. 

“Last year, the University Council asked management to create a way to reward outstanding staff,” he explained. 

The evaluation criteria included staff performance, contributions to research and grants, leadership roles, and excellence in teaching, using the blended learning methods on Moodle. Feedback from students was also an important part of the evaluation process.

Mr. David Mugawe addresses students and staff in Nkoyoyo Hall.
Mr. David Mugawe addresses students and staff in Nkoyoyo Hall.

Mugawe emphasized the need for timely performance reviews, noting that some staff missed out on recognition this year due to incomplete evaluations. Each awardee received a plaque, and a financial reward. 

“This will be an annual event. Let us make sure all evaluations are done on time so we can recognize every deserving staff member,” Mr. Mugawe said.

The performance-based awards aim to create a culture of excellence and commitment at the university.

The staff evaluation is initiated by staff and approved by their supervisor. The evaluation forms include the staff’s key performance indicators and key result areas.

UCU Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi acknowledged that while no one is without flaws, the contribution of the staff who received awards have been commendable.

Deo Musekura (center) receives his award from UCU Vice Chancellor Aaron Mushengyezi. Left is Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs Assoc. Prof. John M. Kitayimbwa
Deo Musekura (center) receives his award from UCU Vice Chancellor Aaron Mushengyezi. Left is Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs Assoc. Prof. John M. Kitayimbwa

He encouraged the staff to keep striving for excellence in order to maintain the “UCU standard of excellence.”

Prof. Monica Chibita, the Dean of the UCU School of Journalism and one of the awardees, advised her colleagues not to focus solely on recognition while working, but to appreciate the university’s generosity.

Some of the staff members who were recognized for exceptional service are:

Research and Grants:

Prof. Monica Chibita

Prof Elizabeth Kizito 

Dr. Rosemary Bulyaba 

Prof. Eng. Eleanor Wozei 

Leadership 

Dr. Miria Agunyo 

Dr. Gerald Tumusiime 

Dr. Innocent Ndibatya 

Rebecca Gomes Namirimu

Online Platform teaching and learning

Doreen Kukugiza

Jeremy Waiswa

Arabella Abamwesiga

Comfort Mpiriirwe Tumuhamye

Lorine Akinyi

Josephine Namyalo

Andrew Nyombi

Academic Support

Jean Asasira Mutabule

Claire Arinaitwe

Mwebwaze

Desire Kagaba

Francis Acaye

Beatrice Zalwango

Suzan Ekadu

Administrative Support

Irene Nabwiire

Winnie Thakker

Daniel Kakama

Christine Namatovu Wako

Judith Katoko

Anthony Mukama

Simon Kyalahansi

Deo Maseruka

Nicholas Natuhereza

Shanitah Nuwasasiira

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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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Idd Basaija is using journalism to advocate for social change

UCU alumnus uses journalism to champion social change

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


Idd Basaija is using journalism to advocate for social change
Idd Basaija is using journalism to advocate for social change

By Irene Best Nyapendi
In 2022, residents of Karusandara in Kasese, a district in western Uganda, threatened to boycott an election that the Government was organizing. Their reason? The Government had been silent on their plight for a long time. They accused the government of dishonesty, claiming that the people were often misled by “empty promises”, especially during election campaigns.

So, what was their plight?

The residents said that they had been demanding a land title for the 11,475 acres of land they are occupying, protection from wild animals that escape from the Queen Elizabeth National Park and rehabilitation of their roads. And that since none of those was forthcoming, they would not participate in an election to choose a parliamentary representative for the area. 

That 2022 story was brought to light by Idd Basaija, a journalist with Uganda Radio Network. After publishing the initial story, he engaged Uganda’s minister in charge of lands, Judith Nabakooba and continuously followed up on the residents’ demands. 

Idd Basaija (left) with journalists from Egypt and Burundi, discussing a story idea
Idd Basaija (left) with journalists from Egypt and Burundi, discussing a story idea

In Uganda land ownership is handled in two ways like in Great Britain. A buyer may enter a leasehold contract for 49 years or 99 years, with ownership of the land reverting back to the original owner at the end of the contract. Or a buyer may purchase the land in a mailo contract, and it doesn’t revert to the original owner like in the case of a leasehold. This is helpful to know when purchasing and building on land in Uganda. Only 9% of the land in Uganda is mailo land making it very valuable. The registration of each transaction is important when purchasing land so there is a clear title before building on the land.

Basaija’s persistence paid off when the government began processing land titles for the residents of Karusandara, a significant step towards addressing what residents described as “decades of neglect.” Possession of a title for the piece of land someone is occupying gives them added security from land grabbers, something that is common in Uganda.

Basaija, an alumnus of Uganda Christian University (UCU), has dedicated his life to championing social change and amplifying the voices of the marginalized people through his journalism, in order to inspire action from the people who hold positions of power.

In another of Basaija’s many articles that amplify voices of the marginalized, he raised alarm over the many people who were facing starvation in Kasese following the destruction of their gardens by elephants that had strayed from Queen Elizabeth National Park.

One of the farmers said the elephants destroyed about two acres of his garden of potatoes, which he said was the only source of livelihood. Sadly, part of the money that was used in the garden was from a loan he had acquired for farming. 

And he has also had a fair share of challenges in the profession. In 2021, while covering a story about Queen Elizabeth National Park, he published a story that there were people growing marijuana within the park. It is forbidden to grow marijuana in Uganda, unless for medical and other authorized purposes. Rather than enter the park to establish authenticity about the allegations, Basaija relied on peers to provide him information. 

When his editor inquired whether he had personally seen the 100 acres, Basaija, feeling the pressure of the moment, affirmed the claim, despite not having seen the garden. The story was published.

The situation escalated when a team from Uganda Wildlife Authority, the managers of the park, contacted him, demanding that the story be pulled down because it was inaccurate. 

This experience, however, helped him realize the importance of interviewing credible sources and ensuring accuracy of information before publication. 

Basaija draws experience from being a radio presenter, a writer, and an editor, to not only report news, but ignite social change and challenge perceptions in a profession sometimes misunderstood. He is the current bureau chief for Uganda Radio Network (URN) in Kasese, Bundibugyo and Bunyangabu — districts in western Uganda. He has worked at this news agency since January 2020. URN is a Ugandan radio news agency that provides daily ready-to-use news and information for 120 media houses.

“For me, journalism is not about the money,” said Basaija, who graduated from UCU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication in November 2013. 

Basaija’s articles often feature stories of individuals who are most times not taken seriously, ensuring that their voices are heard and their struggles acknowledged. 

“I never write a story on a social issue without following up with the people responsible.” 

Basaija says his journey into pursuing a journalism course was not as straight as he would have preferred it to be. His first university of choice did not admit him for the course. His second university of choice offered him a course in development studies. But was not where his heart was. It was at that point that he convinced his father, to support him pursue the course at UCU.  

He is passionate about environment and health reporting, having won grants in these areas. His stories on family planning have formed discussions among development partners. He is a media trainer and an advocate for independent journalism.

Currently, Basaija is pursuing a fellowship in Gender Communications at the Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communication in Kenya. He aspires to continue his education by enrolling for an MA in Journalism and Strategic Communication at UCU. 

In addition to his work at URN, Basaija is a commercial farmer. His passion for agriculture blossomed in 2019 while he was searching for a job, leading him to the idea of dairy farming. Currently, he manages both a dairy and poultry farm.

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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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Guest of honor Michael Nuwagira Kaguta (AKA Toyota) signs on a dummy cheque for sh20million ($5,298) that he handed over to UCU.

Running to keep needy UCU students in school

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Guest of honor Michael Nuwagira Kaguta (AKA Toyota) signs on a dummy cheque for sh20million ($5,298) that he handed over to UCU.
Guest of honor Michael Nuwagira Kaguta (AKA Toyota) signs on a dummy cheque for sh20million ($5,298) that he handed over to UCU.

By Pauline Luba
Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) recent Global 5K Run was more than just a sports event. The run also was a celebration of community spirit with alumni, students and other supporters across the globe coming together to make a difference. 

Spearheaded by Dickson Tumuramye, the UCU Head of the Honors College, the event harnessed fundraising for scholarships to help students in financial need. This year’s run showcased both the local and global reach of UCU’s community with participants running, cycling or walking their five kilometers (three miles) in whatever part of the world they called home on designated days in October and November. 

Runners and organizers posing with the cheque
Runners and organizers posing with the cheque

Started in 2015, the Global 5K is an event where students, individuals, friends and families participate from wherever they live to raise support for financially challenged Honors College students. Honors College is a leadership development program for the top undergraduate students at UCU. Through this program, the future leaders of Uganda are nurtured, mentored  and educated.

In addition to logistical details like securing running kits and bibs, Tumuramye and his team organized weekly planning meetings to strategize on how to pull off a successful event. The planning sessions involved members of the Honors College, Alumni Association, guild leaders, presidents of different students’ clubs and the UCU Law Society. 

Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi rewarding one of the participants
Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi rewarding one of the participants

On the day of the Nov. 2 event from the Mukono campus, not even the early morning downpour could dampen the spirits of the runners. By 8:30 a.m., the participants had gathered at the UCU basketball courts. For the next more than one hour, they engaged in an aerobics session as a precursor to the run, where participants set off for the five kilometers (about three miles) at 10 a.m. The chief guest at the event was Michael Nuwagira Kaguta (also known as Toyota), a younger brother of Uganda President Yoweri Museveni. 

Among the other guests was Wasswa Balunywa, the former principal of Makerere University Business School, who charmed the crowd with aerobic dance moves. Balunywa shared an inspirational message about the value of education and the importance of giving back to the community. His words struck a chord with many in the audience, reminding them that supporting future generations is both a duty and a privilege. 

Through the sale of running kits and bibs, along with contributions from supporters, UCU raised about sh33 million (about $8,741). Nuwagira contributed sh20 million ($5,298), while UCU added another sh10 million (about $2,649), and several members of Parliament donated sh2.5 million ($662) collectively. The funds will go toward scholarships for students in need. 

At left, Guest of Honor Michael Nuwagira Kaguta (informally known as “Toyota”) poses for photos with runners. Second-left is Dickson Tumuramye, one of the organizers.
At left, Guest of Honor Michael Nuwagira Kaguta (informally known as “Toyota”) poses for photos with runners. Second-left is Dickson Tumuramye, one of the organizers.

Nuwagira, who pledged to continue mobilizing resources for the cause, said: “Education is the most important thing anybody can achieve.”

Tumuramye, who extended an open invitation to anyone willing to join in supporting future events, noted that the financial boost is a testament to the power of community involvement and a reminder that even modest contributions can have a profound impact.

Thomas Aquinas Mugisha, a year-four student of Bachelor of Laws, who participated in the run, said: “It was a great day and we were happy to raise funds to support our fellow students through school.” 

The impact of these funds, the gathering of these people, and the shared energy of this day have all shown that with each step, the UCU community can pave a path to greater opportunities for students. And for every participant, whether running on campus or thousands of miles away, the Global 5K Run has become an annual reminder of the power of unity and the importance of education.

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To support Uganda Christian University programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook

Annet Musiimenta (left) with other PhD students during the October 25 graduation.

Pioneer UCU student with education calling earns PhD

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Annet Musiimenta (left) with other PhD students during the October 25 graduation.
Annet Musiimenta (left) with other PhD students during the October 25 graduation.

By Pauline Luba
From a pioneer student at Uganda Christian University (UCU) to a PhD-holding lecturer shaping future minds, Annet Musiimenta’s story is as inspiring as it is transformative. 

Musiimenta’s journey, marked by resilience, faith and an unwavering commitment to education, began in a modest home shaped by hardship and hope. As the third-born and the eldest daughter in a family of eight children, she learned early the weight of responsibility that her position in the family bestowed on her — she had to set a good example for her siblings. 

With the head of the family being a reverend, theirs was a family that also was expected to set an example to the community.

As she grew up, Musiimenta found financial constraints as they would for any modest-income family. Musiimenta’s mother died when the daughter was just in Primary Three, so she was largely raised by a single father, and, later, when her father remarried, the stepmother stepped in to give a hand to her dad.  

As a reverend, it meant Musiimenta’s dad was a cleric in the Church of Uganda. He thus had to contend with relocating to several places as he served the Lord. Such relocations meant moving with his entire family. As such, Musiimenta and her siblings could only attend schools in areas where their dad was transferred. She attended Katerere Primary School in Kanungu district, Nyakabungo Girls and, finally, Kinayasano Girls in Rukungiri for her O’level and A’level, respectively.

When she applied to UCU in 1997, it was initially to study theology to fulfil her father’s wish. However, during her application at UCU, the secretary of the academic registrar advised her to reconsider as she was too young to qualify for ordination upon graduation. It was difficult to take it in, but Musiimenta and her father eventually opted for a Bachelor of Arts with Education, which she completed in 2000.

From 2001 to 2003, Musimenta was in Norway, pursuing a Master’s in Philosophy of Education. She says studying in Norway exposed her to new perspectives and a culture that helped to enhance her academic life and transform her personal growth.

Upon her return from Norway, Musiimenta was employed as a lecturer in the UCU School of Education from January 2004. Since then, her responsibilities have included developing a course outline and study materials, teaching, assessment, curriculum review and supervising research. 

To enhance her career prospects, as well as to become an expert in her field of knowledge, in 2017, Musimenta returned to school, to pursue a PhD. And the journey was not without its challenges — juggling full-time teaching responsibilities, doctoral studies and family to withstanding the financial strain that a course of such magnitude can cause. The university paid tuition, but Musiimenta had to meet the other costs associated with the course.  She graduated five years later.

On October 25, she was among the 1,189 students who graduated at the UCU Main Campus in Mukono. The university bestowed on her a PhD in Education Administration and Management.

Musiimenta says completing the PhD has given her a deeper appreciation of the struggles that students face. She says she has now become more patient and understanding, recognizing the balancing act many students must perform between their academic and personal lives. 

Her PhD research focused on student support systems during school practice, where she explored how university and school administrators could collaborate to improve students’ practical experience. Musiimenta advocated formalized partnerships between educational institutions and schools, believing that such collaborations could help prepare students more effectively for the realities of the teaching profession.

She advises education institutions to ensure that the education they provide addresses real-world challenges and societal needs. She believes that universities should tailor learning experiences to prepare graduates for the job market, emphasizing the importance of individualized learning and career-oriented education.

Despite her demanding academic and professional life, Musiimenta remains grounded in her faith and family. She is a devoted Christian who enjoys singing at fellowships, tending to her garden and spending time with her family and close friends. Her strong spiritual beliefs have been a source of strength through life’s ups-and-downs, helping her maintain perspective and purpose. Musiimenta credits her husband, children, siblings and mother-in-law for inspiring her up the academic ladder. 

As she looks to the future, she envisions a system where learning is both personal and practical; equipping students with the skills they need to thrive. For Musiimenta, education is more than a career — it is a calling.

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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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Allen Tayebwa with her parents during graduation at UCU’s Bishop Barham University College

A father’s sacrifice, a daughter’s dream

News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU Bishop Barham University College, UCU School of Social Sciences


Allen Tayebwa with her parents during graduation at UCU’s Bishop Barham University College
Allen Tayebwa with her parents during graduation at UCU’s Bishop Barham University College

By Irene Best Nyapendi
Allen Tayebwa’s graduation at Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) Bishop Barham University College (BBUC) is nothing short of a miracle. Growing up in a family with 16 siblings and an unemployed father, the idea of going to school after a secondary education seemed financially impossible. 

“I had no hopes of joining the university,” she recalled. “It was a miracle that my dad took me to the university because he had not done so for any of my older siblings because of financial constraints.”

Even when Tayebwa received a half bursary from BBUC, paying the other half was a constant struggle. Her father, Jonathan Babara, sold his land, where he had built rental houses as his main source of income. However, the proceeds from the sale of the land were still not enough to meet the tuition requirements for the three years of Tayebwa’s studies.

Allen Tayebwa with her two awards – the Academic Excellence Award (for first class) and The Pinnacle Award (from the alumni association)
Allen Tayebwa with her two awards – the Academic Excellence Award (for first class) and The Pinnacle Award (from the alumni association)

Babara supplemented income by selling bananas from his garden and milk from his two cows. With that not enough to meet the tuition burden,  he took out loans to cover her expenses.

“He would save every little bit he earned until the loans were paid off,” said Tayebwa, who worked doubly hard at school to keep sacrifices from going to waste.

During the second semester of her first year, Tayebwa faced a challenge when her father was unable to raise funds for her accommodation in a hostel near the university. Fortunately, she found the home of Abraham and Kate Akampurira, who welcomed her with open arms.

“I think it’s God who led me to them,” she said. 

Kate met Tayebwa when the former joined the university three weeks later than the rest and needed someone to guide her. Tayebwa offered to do that, and they instantly became friends.

So, when Tayebwa was facing challenges of accommodation, the Akampurira family welcomed her into their home, where Tayebwa’s family occasionally sent meals.

Tayebwa also received help from the family of Shepherd Abakundayesu, who would send her money for food. Such kindness enabled Tayebwa to focus on her studies without the worry of going hungry.

Support and hard work paid off. 

On November 15, 2024, at the university’s commissioning service in Kabale, the UCU Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Rev. Dr. John Kitayimbwa, announced Tayebwa, a Bachelor of Social Work and Social Administration graduate, as the overall best student with a GPA of 4.73 of 5.0. 

Allen Tayebwa receiving her award for academic excellence from the UCU Chancellor, the Rev. Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu. Extreme right is the BBUC Principal, Alice Jossy Kyobutungi Tumwesigye, and on the left is the Chairperson of the college governing council, the Rt. Rev. Gaddie Akanjuna.
Allen Tayebwa receiving her award for academic excellence from the UCU Chancellor, the Rev. Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu. Extreme right is the BBUC Principal, Alice Jossy Kyobutungi Tumwesigye, and on the left is the Chairperson of the college governing council, the Rt. Rev. Gaddie Akanjuna.

For a minute, the room was silent, and people wondered if Tayebwa was present. She was, indeed, present, but in shock. A few minutes later, she walked to the podium, with tears of joy rolling down her cheeks. 

“I was shocked to hear my name,” she said, smiling.  “Yes, I worked hard, but I did not know I would be the overall best student.  It was like a dream come true.”

Currently, Tayebwa’s father is preparing a mega thanksgiving ceremony, to express gratitude to God for the achievement of this first child among 16 siblings to graduate from a university. 

The graduate attributes her success to a combination of prayer, hard work, mentorship and support.  She also credits UCU and the guidance of mentors, including Shepherd Abakundayesu, Mugabe Dickens, and Kate Ensiteriyeitu, who played significant roles in her educational journey.

“I hope to offer help in eradicating poverty and equipping people with the knowledge of how they can come closer to God,” she noted. 

Babara said his daughter “has made me so proud.” Babara noted that even while it was painful to “look” for the tuition, he is now filled with joy, and praying that he will be able to educate Tayebwa’s younger siblings, too. 

Tayebwa attended Rushasha Salvation Primary School and Rukondo Primary School and, later, St Jerome Secondary School Ndama for her O’level. She had her A’level studies at Kyamakanda Secondary School. All four schools are in western Uganda. At Kyamakanda, Tayebwa Tayebwa studied on a bursary, courtesy of Compassion International. 

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To support Uganda Christian University programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook

Archbishop Kaziimba Mugalu presents the Best Male Student award to Dismas Nuwaine.

Misfortune turned into blessing for UCU’s best male student

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


Archbishop Kaziimba Mugalu presents the Best Male Student award to Dismas Nuwaine.
Archbishop Kaziimba Mugalu presents the Best Male Student award to Dismas Nuwaine.

By Kefa Senoga
As a student at Uganda Christian University (UCU), Dismas Nuwaine often ushered people to their seats at the Sunday services at the university’s Nkoyoyo Hall, as well as during the community worship sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

Nuwaine’s ushering service in the chaplaincy ended as he completed his undergraduate studies at the university. At the 25th UCU graduation held at the main campus in Mukono on October 25, Nuwaine was recognized as the best male student among the graduates. Nuwaine, with a GPA of 4.79 of 5.0,  received a Bachelor of Journalism, Media and Communication. 

Eight years ago, this honor and his church service would seem a surprise as Nuwaine wasn’t religious and didn’t toe the line. In fact, during his early secondary school life, he was expelled from his school, St. Joseph’s Vocational School in Mbarara, western Uganda. His crime? He masterminded a school strike.

During the October 24 commissioning service, Dismas Nuwaine and his family receive Nuwaine’s Best Male Student award from, in center, UCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi.
During the October 24 commissioning service, Dismas Nuwaine and his family receive Nuwaine’s Best Male Student award from, in center, UCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi.

Before 2018, Nuwaine says he was nothing close to the person people came to  know at UCU. He describes himself as having been unruly and far from Christian values. Nuwaine believes that his turning point was his expulsion from St. Joseph’s Vocational School.

His new school, Makerere High School Migadde in central Uganda, he says, played a significant role in his transformation.

“The school was premised on the foundations of evangelism and Pentecostalism,” he said. “While there, I accepted Christ as my saviour and something about me changed: My old habits died, and I took up very new appropriate habits.” 

Nuwaine was able to complete both his O’level and A’level at Makerere High School Migadde after which he joined UCU to pursue a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communication.

From the moment he set foot at UCU, Nuwaine says that he committed himself to prioritizing and managing his time effectively.

“I needed to make the best out of the colossal sums of money that my father was paying for me to acquire an education,” says Nuwaine, the youngest child of Katukore Blazio and Katukore Goretti, of Sheema in western Uganda.

His typical day on campus would start as early as 7 a.m. and often stretch until nearly midnight. Since he was involved in numerous activities beyond academics, his days included various church-related responsibilities, especially on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the community worship and on Sundays during the church service. 

Most evenings, Nuwaine says, he would go for a jog or play soccer, followed by a visit to the library for extra reading. Amidst all the busy schedule, for a person aspiring to be a journalist, Nuwaine always endeavoured to watch prime news on Ugandan TV at 9 p.m. 

He also was a student leader. He represented the School of Journalism, Media and Communication in the university’s parliament and also was the university’s deputy student leader in charge of information. While in his second year, Nuwaine also joined the UCU Honors College for a two-year leadership training program. The Honours College is a constituent program and a leadership development initiative of UCU. 

He says that balancing the responsibilities that came with the leadership required him to master effective time management skills to stay on top of all his commitments.

However, by year three, some of the responsibilities, Nuwaine says, were taking a toll on him. He thus had to scale down on some commitments to focus more on academics.

In his last year at the university, he got a rare opportunity to represent the institution as part of a team of four students that participated in Uganda’s national university quiz that was aired on TV from November to December 2023. The team emerged second in the competition. Each of the four students and their coach was rewarded with a cash prize of sh500,000 (about $140) and a laptop, while the university was awarded equipment worth sh15million (about $4,000). According to Nuwaine, much of the knowledge he gained from the quiz competition helped to enrich the answers he gave during exams.

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To support Uganda Christian University programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook

(Left to Right) Dismas Nuwaine, best male student; Robinson Asiimwe (Christy’s father); Mr. Graham Yoko, the CEO of Accelerated Education Enterprises, who was the chief guest at the graduation ceremony; Christy Asiimwe, best overall and best female student; and Bishop Alfred Olwa, the chairperson of the UCU council.

UCU best student narrates strong ties with dad

News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Education, , , , ,


(Left to Right) Dismas Nuwaine, best male student; Robinson Asiimwe (Christy’s father); Mr. Graham Yoko, the CEO of Accelerated Education Enterprises, who was the chief guest at the graduation ceremony; Christy Asiimwe, best overall and best female student; and Bishop Alfred Olwa, the chairperson of the UCU council.
(Left to Right) Dismas Nuwaine, best male student; Robinson Asiimwe (Christy’s father); Mr. Graham Yoko, the CEO of Accelerated Education Enterprises, who was the chief guest at the graduation ceremony; Christy Asiimwe, best overall and best female student; and Bishop Alfred Olwa, the chairperson of the UCU council.

By Irene Best Nyapendi
On October 25, 2024, Christy Asiimwe was named the best overall student at the 25th graduation ceremony of Uganda Christian University (UCU). A week later, on November 2, Robinson Asiimwe was recognized as the overall best graduate at the Institute for National Transformation. 

Robinson was pursuing the Oak Seed Executive Leadership Course, an intensive, six-module program specifically designed to cultivate transformational leaders.  Christy was pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Education, where she garnered a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.8 out of 5.0. Robinson’s was 4.83. 

Robinson and Christy do not just share a surname. The latter is the daughter of the former. Robinson was full of smiles as he witnessed his daughter get the best overall student award from among more than 1,000 graduates. . 

Christy Asiimwe with her parents on the commissioning day at UCU. Extreme left is Mr. David Mugawe, the UCU Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration, and the Vice Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi.
Christy Asiimwe with her parents on the commissioning day at UCU. Extreme left is Mr. David Mugawe, the UCU Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration, and the Vice Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi.

“I was very happy for my daughter,” he said. “However, I wasn’t surprised to learn that she was the best overall student because she is self-driven, and I believed she would excel.”

At Christy’s graduation, Robinson not only attended the ceremony, but also got a photo opportunity with his daughter and the ceremony’s chief guest, Mr. Graham Yoko, the CEO of Accelerated Education Enterprises, along with UCU council chairperson, Bishop Alfred Olwa. 

Just like the kind of training Robinson just graduated from, while at UCU, the 25-year-old Christy also got training in leadership. As a member of the Honors College, the training Christy received emphasized the tenets of academics, leadership, mentorship and service. The intention of the training is to produce a cadre of leaders who are practical, relevant and innovative.

Peggy Noll, the wife of UCU’s first vice chancellor, Prof. Stephen Noll, was Christy’s mentor during the latter’s time at the Honors College. Writing about her experience with Christy, Peggy Noll expressed her excitement meeting a student who was “serious about her faith as well as her education.”

“Christy’s long-term goals include working in education, possibly curriculum development, and becoming a servant leader in that sphere,” Peggy wrote in the article. 

During a recent interview with Uganda Partners, Christy said she hopes to pursue a master’s degree in curriculum development and education management. With that training, she expects to influence educational policy, and shape a curriculum that is more responsive to the needs of Uganda’s youth.

“I would love to build effective and affordable systems of education because many of the good education systems are not affordable,” she explained. 

To Asiimwe, the accolades she earned at UCU serve as proof that with God, all things are possible. She attributed her success to the university’s supportive staff, excellent facilities, and its emphasis on character development and professionalism. She said the virtues that have been imparted in her have helped prepare her for the marketplace.

Born and raised in Kampala, Christy has been a high achiever and maintained top grades since primary school. She attended City Parents Primary School, Gayaza High School for O’level, and Shekinah Christian International School.

Peter Mugume, a senior lecturer at the UCU School of Education, said Christy was an intelligent, disciplined and punctual student. Even when it rained, she would still be the first student to arrive in class.

“Christy was informed,” he said. “She would consult, and often wrote excellent assignments.”

Christy sharing a light moment with her fellow first-class graduates
Christy sharing a light moment with her fellow first-class graduates

Mugume said when Christy competed for elective positions as a student leader, he wanted to discourage her from it, thinking it would affect her performance. But it did not.

She was a student leader in the guild government, a class representative, and in charge of religious affairs in the Honors College. She said she was able to juggle her work by strictly adhering to the timetable she set. 

Her secret to academic excellence was by grasping the concepts during lectures, sitting in the front row, and making detailed notes during lectures. 

“I was engaged in so many activities, but I made sure I attended all my lectures so that I could get first-hand information from the lecturer,” Christy said.

Soon after her final exams in September 2024, Asiimwe was employed at Acorns International School, where she had her internship from January to April 2024. 

Christy’s father owns Shekinah International School. Ordinarily, one would expect her to work at that school after university. But that has not been the case. 

“I wanted a different environment, to work under people I am unfamiliar with and to learn to absorb pressure from people who cannot easily favor me,” she said. “That way, I would be better prepared for the world of work, which is not always a bed of roses.”

At the October 25 UCU graduation, Christy was separately awarded as best female student. Dismas Nuwaine was the best male student, having garnered a GPA of 4.79 out of 5.0; he received a Bachelor of Journalism, Media and Communication. 

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To support Uganda Christian University programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook

Caesar Lubangakene in the USA

Lubangakene: Why I opted for humanitarian aid work

Faculty of Public Health, Nursing and Midwifery, News, Students, UCU Alumni, War, , , , , ,


Caesar Lubangakene in the USA
Caesar Lubangakene in the USA

By Kefa Senoga
Growing up, Caeser Lubangakene witnessed the suffering that people in northern Uganda faced as a result of a civil strife occasioned by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) – a Joseph Koney-led, rebel group that waged a war against the country and its people for nearly 20 years. 

As a child growing to adulthood, he experienced trauma and observed how charity organisations and people extended a hand to the affected. His primary school was attacked by the LRA. When older, he saw how his mother, a nurse, cared for victims of the LRA war that started in the mid-1980s. 

Caesar Lubangakene
Caesar Lubangakene

“I would spend most of my (spare) time in the wards with my mother,” the Uganda Christian University (UCU) alum recalled of his teen years.  “Whenever a land mine hit a vehicle, I would see bodies being ferried into the hospital.”

While the region where he lived returned to normalcy by 2006, such observations have had an indelible impact on the humanitarian worker that Lubangakene has become. 

Lubangakene started school in Gulu, a district in northern Uganda. While he was in Primary Two at Negri School, Lubangakene was among those who escaped when the facility was attacked by the LRA. 

His uncle, who was living in Kampala at the time, did not want to leave anything to chance, so he evacuated his nephew to Uganda’s capital, from where Lubangakene studied, until he completed a  university degree. From St. Joseph’s Primary School Nabbingo, near Kampala, he joined Bishop Cipriano Kihangire, Luzira, a suburb of Kampala. After A’level, Lubangakene headed to UCU, where he pursued a Bachelor of Public Health. 

Even though Lubangakene, the youngest of three children, studied in Kampala schools, during the holidays, he would return to northern Uganda to spend time with his mother, Grace Achelom, who was a nurse at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital. 

When not in the wards or the staff quarters of the hospital, Lubangakene and his playmates would be busy by the roadside, admiring “big” vehicles of non-governmental organisations transporting humanitarian aid workers. It is those vehicles, Lubangakene says, that made him admire humanitarian aid work.

Today, Lubangakene, a 2012 graduate of UCU with a First Class degree, serves as the regional grants manager for a Christian international relief agency that provides primary healthcare, food, clean water, and education programs in Sudan and South Sudan. Due to the conflict in the region and the sensitive nature of his work, he prefers not to disclose the name of his organisation.

Lubangakene joined the agency upon completing a Master of Science in Global Health program at the Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, where he studied from 2015 to 2017. In his current role, he oversees grants management. 

“Since I was promoted to the regional office, I have been supervising a team of grants managers in different offices; my role is to make sure we are applying for funding, identifying available funding opportunities or we are reporting or giving accountability on the funding that we have received,” explains Lubangakene, who has experience developing systems for quality assurance for different projects in East Africa and India.

For him, humanitarian work is more than money. He says as a Christian, he has a duty to make a difference and reduce  human suffering. 

Having grown up during insurgency in northern Uganda, Lubangakene says he knows full well what living in a war-affected area means.

After his master’s studies, Lubangakene was offered an opportunity to work with a research firm in the USA, but he declined, opting to work in South Sudan, reasoning that the latter provided a more hands-on role in humanitarian work. 

In 2021, Lubangakene unsuccessfully contested for a parliamentary seat to represent one of the areas in northern Uganda in the national Parliament. 

He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Public Health.  He began those studies in October 2024 at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. 

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To support Uganda Christian University programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook

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’

After graduation – What’s next? Recent alum share

Bishop 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 Partners


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 – ‘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 – 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 – ‘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 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.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.

The new UCU alumni executive team is sworn in during Community Worship in Nkoyoyo Hall. Terms run for three years, ending in 2027.

Alumni Association welcomes new leadership, celebrates milestones

News, UCU Alumni,


The new UCU alumni executive team is sworn in during Community Worship in Nkoyoyo Hall. Terms run for three years, ending in 2027.
The new UCU alumni executive team is sworn in during Community Worship in Nkoyoyo Hall. Terms run for three years, ending in 2027.

By Eriah Lule
The Uganda Christian University (UCU) Alumni Association ushered in a new era of leadership during a three-year term, swearing-in ceremony at Nkoyoyo Hall on the Mukono campus.

The Executive hands over a “check” of sh10 million ($2,657) to management towards the construction of the Bishop Orombi ICT Complex at Arua Campus. UCU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi is at right.
The Executive hands over a “check” of sh10 million ($2,657) to management towards the construction of the Bishop Orombi ICT Complex at Arua Campus. UCU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi is at right.

On August 18, 2024, the university community witnessed the 2024-2027 swearing-in of the new committee, with Emmanuel Wabwire re-elected as Chairman for a second term. Wabwire, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Development Studies from UCU and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Catholic University of Milan, is the Executive Director of Faraja Africa Foundation, a Social Enterprise in Kampala. 

Amponda Agaba Kenneth, a 2021 UCU School of Law graduate who is pursuing his career at Agaba Muhairwe and Company Advocates, assumed the advocacy role of Speakership. 

The election was held at a time when the Association was reflecting on significant achievements made over the last three years.  Under the outgoing leadership of Wabwire as Chairman and Oboth Julius as the General Secretary, the Association worked to maintain a strong connection between the university and its alumni, both locally and internationally.

Some of the key achievements highlighted during the ceremony was the Association’s donation of $2,657 (sh10 million) towards the construction of the Bishop Orombi Information Technology Centre complex for the Arua Campus, which will be a one-stop tech center to positively impact the education system in Uganda’s West Nile region.

The previous Executive group also donated a training kit for the UCU Canons, the University’s male basketball team. The kit was a symbol showing the association’s support towards the struggling department.

The purchase of an Alumni van was another major milestone, significantly improving the Association’s ability to conduct its different engagements as well as generating a surplus income. 

The digital era brought about by the pandemic saw the Association embracing online platforms to engage alumni through virtual events and regular updates like the General Assembly in 2021, while physical engagements, like the Homecoming events in 2022, to mark the university’s 25th anniversary, and Prayer Breakfast in 2023, were well received.

“We try to establish different projects to earn some income but also support our alma mater in its capital project developments,” said Wabwire. “This helps us to increase our relevance and influence among the Alumni community and entire University body.” 

Joshua Mukisa, a 2014 UCU graduate of a Bachelor of Education, is one alumna who sees the Association’s embrace of technology as necessary and unique. The Association held an online election and peaceful transition, a mark that set the bar for other institutions.

“There has never been a peaceful alumni election in University history in Uganda, having one online is something new,” he said “We have set a bar that other institutions can benchmark and learn.”

Despite successes, the Association faces persistent challenges like low alumni participation in its activities, limiting alumni engagement and the growth of regional chapters, prompting it to call for greater involvement from alumni leadership.

As the new committee takes charge, the focus is on strengthening the Association’s financial base, expanding its international chapters, and enhancing alumni engagement across all regions. With a strategic work plan in the pipeline, the Association remains optimistic about its future, hoping to build on past achievements to make an even greater impact on the UCU community.

Wabwire acknowledged obstacles but emphasized the importance of unity and commitment to the Association’s goals. 

“We must all work together to ensure that UCU continues to be a place of excellence, not just for current students but for alumni as well,” he said.

As the new leadership embarks on its mandate, the Association remains committed to fostering a vibrant and supportive alumni network with hopes of a brighter and more connected future for all its members.

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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.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.

Bridget Aber, a student in the UCU School of Business, on court

UCU basketballer crowned best defensive player of the year

News, Sports, Students, UCU Alumni, , , ,


Bridget Aber, a student in the UCU School of Business, on court
Bridget Aber, a student in the UCU School of Business, on court

By Pauline Luba
Bridget Aber’s introduction to basketball came from an unexpected route – through her passion for traveling first, the sport second. She quenched her travel thirst in high school when she discovered that members of the school’s basketball team often traveled out of the school to play. 

Aber, therefore, hatched a plan to start playing basketball, so she, too, could get travel opportunities. When she got to the basketball court, the game became too enticing for her to leave, thanks largely to coach Koma Hendrix Iverson. The year was 2019.

All the sweat that Aber has broken since then has now earned her a national accolade – the country’s best defensive player for 2024 in Uganda’s national basketball league, named by the Federation of Uganda Basketball Association.

Bridget Aber during one of the games
Bridget Aber during one of the games

Aber, a standout basketball player for the Uganda Christian University (UCU) women team, the Lady Canons, feels recognitions like what she’s just earned, push her to grow stronger and to improve in the game. Uganda’s basketball season is usually a long one, typically lasting anything from nine to ten months. During all that time, Aber and her teammates competed against 11 teams from both universities and clubs. 

Despite the challenges of balancing her academics and sports responsibilities, Aber is determined to excel in both areas. She acknowledges the difficulty of managing time, especially when traveling for games, but remains committed to prioritizing her studies and training.

At UCU, Aber is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration.

Mentally, Aber has grown significantly since she first started playing basketball. In the early days, she would panic or get frustrated easily, but over time, she has learned to stay calm and focused. Understanding that not every game can be won, she has developed the ability to handle losses with grace, as they keep pushing for more wins.

Just like it is the case with many athletes, injuries are part of the trade. For Aber, they have been a significant challenge in her basketball journey. She has experienced several, including an ankle injury that took her a month for recovery and a healing  knee injury she sustained not long ago. 

Aber credits her growth in sports to the guidance from the athlete’s siblings around her. Her two brothers — Phillip Wokorach and Gwokto Thomas Innocent — are always available for inspiration. Wokorach plays for Uganda’s national rugby team and also plays professional club rugby in France with Club Orléans. Gwokto plays rugby for a Ugandan club, the Heathens. 

Additionally, she says the UCU basketball coach, Nick Natuhereza, has played a significant role in her development as a basketball player. 

Bridget Aber recently was named Uganda’s best defensive player for 2024 in Uganda's national basketball league.
Bridget Aber recently was named Uganda’s best defensive player for 2024 in Uganda’s national basketball league.

Aber is the youngest of seven siblings. She grew up under the care of a single mom in Kampala. Despite the challenges she faced following the loss of her father while in Primary Seven, she has been resilient to life’s obstacles. This resilience, she says, was implanted in her by her mother, Ayot Lillian Rose. Aber’s late father, George Ojok Gwokto, worked as a salesperson at an insurance company.

Aber attributes much of her strength to the valuable life lessons her mother imparted in her. From Ayot, Aber learned to be kind, God-fearing, and generous without expecting anything in return. These lessons shaped the person she is today, both on and off the court.

Aber encourages young girls to remain prayerful, focused, and passionate about the game while avoiding distractions that could derail their progress. For her, the journey in basketball has just begun. With passion, determination and faith, she says the sky’s the limit.

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To support Uganda Christian University programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook

The pioneer students of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Management program with some School of Business administrators

UCU launches PhD in business management

News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Business, , , ,


The pioneer students of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Management program with some School of Business administrators
The pioneer students of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Management program with some School of Business administrators

By Irene Best Nyapendi
Uganda Christian University (UCU) has introduced a new PhD program — the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Management. The program, which is the first PhD in the UCU School of Business, started with four modules. The module leaders are professors carefully sourced from some of the world’s best universities. 

By benchmarking against world-class universities worldwide, such as the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom and the University of Agder in Norway, UCU aims to generate a new model of PhD training and elevate the standard of PhD education in the East African region.

Rev. Assoc. Prof. John M. Kitayimbwa, the UCU Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs, addresses the pioneer PhD students during orientation.
Rev. Assoc. Prof. John M. Kitayimbwa, the UCU Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs, addresses the pioneer PhD students during orientation.

The Rev. Dr. John Kitayimbwa, the UCU Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, commended the Dean and the administration of the School of Business for developing the program, noting that the university conducted extensive research and market analysis, which revealed the need for innovative business education. 

Kitayimbwa explained that unlike historical PhD training models, where African scholars are often paired with retiring professors, limiting exposure to cutting-edge ideas, this program brings together experienced and young professors. 

“Traditional PhD models tie scholars to retiring professors, limiting them to outdated ideas,” Kitayimbwa said. “Pairing students with seasoned and young professors ensures they receive up-to-date research training to tackle challenges and provide relevant solutions for the next 30-40 years.”

This unique approach ensures research relevance, fostering innovative ideas. The ultimate goal is to unlock research potential for sustainable development and prosperity across the continent. 

Kitayimbwa urged the pioneer students to strive for excellence and aspire to do work that can appear in well-respected journals.

“The PhD is as short or as long as the quality of the student,”  Kitayimbwa said. “The students are given a maximum of seven years to complete the PhD, but you can also complete it in two-and-a-half years.” 

Dr. Henry Mugisha, the Head of the Department of Post-Graduate Programs in the School of Business, led the team that developed the program. He said that the program was inspired by the need to initiate a new way of PhD training that focuses on generation or research content worthy of publication in well-respected academic journals during the training. This is a shift from the monograph PhD model that characterizes PhD training, at least in Uganda at the moment.

(From left to right) Professor Danson Kimani from the University of Sheffield;Dr. Henry Mugisha, the Head of the Department for Postgraduate Programmes; Mrs Elsie Mirembe Nsiyona, the Associate Dean of the School of Business; and Winnie Thakker Kasujja, one of the pioneer students.
(From left to right) Professor Danson Kimani from the University of Sheffield;
Dr. Henry Mugisha, the Head of the Department for Postgraduate Programmes; Mrs Elsie Mirembe Nsiyona, the Associate Dean of the School of Business; and Winnie Thakker Kasujja, one of the pioneer students.

He noticed that the School of Business did not have a PhD program, yet UCU needed to engage in and contribute to knowledge creation in business at an advanced level. 

Mugisha said his inspiration was to debunk the misconception in Uganda that you cannot have a PhD if you are not subjected to periodic sit-in examinations. This makes this PhD unique because the mode of delivery is new in the country.

“We are using a practice-relevant approach, focusing on writing, disseminating research findings, and solving societal problems,” Mugisha explained. “Unlike traditional coursework and examination methods, our program yields a paper addressing a specific concern at the end of each module.”

This program aims to generate knowledge, address business-related problems, and equip students with first-class research, writing and dissertation writing skills.

The first cohort was welcomed with an October 10, 2024, orientation session. With 30 enrolled students, the first class commenced on October 19, 2024

The program has specialized tracks in Finance, Strategic Management, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Human Resource Management, International Business, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Accounting — all of which are critical areas for driving positive change in business ecosystems in Africa and beyond.

Participants in the program are expected to benefit from a collaborative learning environment that offers mentorship. Students will have the opportunity to work closely with distinguished faculty on research projects, publications, and teaching opportunities.

The program has two options to accommodate the candidates’ backgrounds and goals. First, there is a PhD in Management by Coursework and Research, and a PhD in Management by Publications.

The PhD in Management by Publications is a tailored program that examines the foundational principles and evolutionary dynamics of the management field, alongside key catalysts driving change within the discipline. It requires a minimum of three years and a maximum of seven years to complete.

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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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Francis Musoni Okiria, Uganda Christian University School of Social Sciences alumni

‘I live in the grace of people who see goodness in me’

News, Soroti, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Social Sciences, , , , ,


Francis Musoni Okiria, Uganda Christian University School of Social Sciences alumni
Francis Musoni Okiria, Uganda Christian University School of Social Sciences alumni

By Patty Huston-Holm
Francis Musoni Okiria learned early on that social work is just as much about accountability as it is hands-on.

While others may see his career path as divergent from helping others, including vulnerable populations most associated with welfare work, the 2014 Uganda Christian University (UCU) graduate with a bachelor’s degree in social work and social administration provides evidence otherwise. When working for a bank and then Uganda’s MTN mobile communications network – neither of which sounds like typical social work – he was assisting people. His role in these careers labeled finance and IT required him to help others learn how to make money and live in a changing world with a cashless economy. 

“Listening, developing rapport to execute – those are social work skills,” Francis said. “The way you blend with people to help them understand is valuable.”

These days, the 34-year-old Francis is helping community and national organizations secure funds and be accountable for how they use them to reduce poverty. In his role as program manager with Latek Stay Alliance Uganda, he helps monitor and mentor some of roughly 50 non-profits that are current or prospective grant awardees through the German-based Alliance charity. 

“Too many times, money is allocated for a good cause, but that funding is not properly used as a result of poor management that a number of organizations face,” said Francis, who got a master’s degree from Uganda Management Institute after leaving UCU.  

According to the Latek Stay Alliance website, the alliance itself is a non-profit with approaches focused on lifting people up through health, education and income generation. Members use proven practices to strengthen collaboration and capacity building by identification of good practices. 

Most days, Francis works with seven colleagues in a Kampala office.  But, on average, one day a week, he travels around the country to monitor grant recipients and/or evaluate what a Community-Based Organization (CBO) or a Non-Government Organization (NGO) claims it is and if it fits with Alliance goals.

“Are providers giving money on  time?  Are recipients doing what they are supposed to do? These are some of the questions we ask,” Francis said.  “We always ask recipients if anything has changed from the time their award was requested. Sometimes, the on-site visits are an opportunity to redesign the programs.”

Stay Foundation started in 2013 with pilot projects that involved training of nurses and teachers who would train and mentor others in their fields. Shortly thereafter, the Alliance started supporting 30 social enterprises, growing to around 50 by 2024. Two of those enterprises are Vision Terudo and African Partners for Children (APPCO).  Every three years, new members are recruited, often through recommendations by CBO and NGO members.  

What Alliance calls “social entrepreneurs” are poverty fighters in four main categories: Stay Feed (agriculture, helping small farmers receive quality seeds and instruction for sowing, crop change, harvesting and storage); Stay Tree (reforestation, teaching how to increase income through tree planting to re-naturalize soil to grow peanuts and beans); Stay Youth (income from vocational training, including crafts) and Stay Bee (bee keeping).

Francis, who started with Alliance as a program officer and then program manager, recalls one success story related to the bee keeping initiative in Ngora District, eastern Uganda. The Stay Bee trainees went from sleeping in grass-thatched mud and wattle huts to living in cement structures with iron sheet roofs within two years. After learning about bees and their value by making and selling honey and wax candles, families also had more food on the table and more children in school. 

Francis and his mother, Mary Frances Adiro, at a passion fruit project they started to raise funds to care for his late brother’s children
Francis and his mother, Mary Frances Adiro, at a passion fruit project they started to raise funds to care for his late brother’s children

“Before, there was hardly one meal a day, alcohol abuse and domestic violence,” he said. “Now, these local farmers who were struggling to live on raising chickens and pigs are engaged with products that are highly popular and bringing in more money.” 

Francis, a three-year employee with Alliance, said that with Alliance training, the beekeepers understand the best way to increase production – “that it’s more than a beehive.” The farmers learn about pollination, avoiding chemical sprays and noise and putting down cassava flour and jack fruit to increase bees and their production. 

On a deeper level, as Alliance assists with education, health and livelihood, there are lessons in hygiene, menstrual understanding and advice for those with  chronic health conditions. The softer skills like teamwork and timeliness are emphasized.

When Francis isn’t working full-time with Alliance, he volunteers with Youth Nest Uganda, an organization that focuses on employability skills (tailoring, etc.) for young people.  Seventy-five percent of Uganda’s population is under age 30, with many of those unemployed.

While Francis is successful now with subtitles of project manager, monitor and planner, he knows well the population his organization serves. One of three children and five step-children, he was raised during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency by a mom who worked as a midwife and nurse in the districts of Soroti and Kaberamaido in eastern Uganda. He was age three when his father died.  

Francis, who speaks Ateso, English and German, saved money alongside his mother to pay his school fees through secondary education at Kiira High School in Jinja and post-secondary at UCU and Uganda Management Institute in Kampala.  

“My life is God’s mercy,” he said. “I live in the grace of people who see goodness in me and, with humility, I owe them to Christ.”

On a recent, rainy Sunday and while visiting the UCU Mukono campus for worship, Francis recalled vividly a chance meeting with the then UCU Vice Chancellor, the Rev. Canon Dr. John Senyonyi. 

“He shook my hand and I felt grateful I could meet him,” Francis recalled. Over the years, including when Francis gave a speech at the US Embassy in Kampala, he remembered that embrace to his hand, and how it “made me think I could be a leader.” 

Francis hopes for more opportunities following the attainment of a PhD, perhaps through studies in Germany. 

“I want to see positive change and I’m glad to be a part of it,” he said.

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Uganda Christian University has many student and alumni stories like this one.  To support  programs, students, activities, and services, go to  www.ugandapartners.org  and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at  m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.

Some students from the UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication lead a song during a recent main campus community worship.

Music cements focus on God at UCU

Faculty, News, Students, UCU Alumni, , , ,


Some students from the UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication lead a song during a recent main campus community worship.
Some students from the UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication lead a song during a recent main campus community worship.

By Christine Mirembe
From the majestic sounds of the Umoja choir to the vibrant rhythms of the African beats, streams of melodies flow from the Mukono Nkoyoyo Hall, a symphony of faith and talent that engulfs the ambiance at Uganda Christian University (UCU). 

Music is the universal language that bridges cultural and linguistic divides, a powerful force that holds the UCU community in a shared experience of worship, comfort and joy.

Under the leadership of Mr. Omiel Nathan, the overall Music Director at UCU since 2009, the Mustard Seed choir, the Chapel choir or the Umoja choir unite every Tuesday and Thursday at midday (12 Noon to 1 p.m. East Africa Time) to lead the UCU community in worship and prayer for an hour, aside from the Sunday worship services.

“There is a lot of diversity that is shown in the uniqueness of song choices, from the songs in regular church worship to church hymns that define the Anglican communion,” Mr. Nathan said. “We are serving God with the uniqueness that every person brings from wherever they come.”

Audience during community worship music in Nkoyoyo
Audience during community worship music in Nkoyoyo

The director noted that the music groups are non-denominational but that members are expected to adhere to Anglican ministry as the Church of Uganda has oversight for UCU. 

The university-led groups also lead the larger UCU community in worship and prayer in two services on Sunday morning. Occasionally, groups like the Uganda Mother’s Union are invited on the stage to lead songs.

The Umoja choir, whose name originates from the Swahili word “umoja” meaning “one,” is a vibrant combination of the Chapel and the Mustard Seed choirs. The Mustard Seed choir gets its name from the biblical Mark 4:31 reference to the seed as “the smallest of all seeds of earth,” but “when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants.” When the chapel and seed choirs come together, often during special functions, they form a united voice, aptly named Umoja choir, blending their hearts and voices as one.

The choirs’ repertoire is a global musical journey, featuring songs from every corner of the world. The type and content of music used during prayer gatherings is usually aligned to themes of the respective services. In some cases, the UCU Chaplaincy is engaged with selections. Most songs are in English, but sometimes Luganda and other mother tongue translations are engaged with words on screens to help the congregation join in. 

A recent service featured “Jesus paid it all” and “Forever,” the latter of which reminded church-goers that God’s “love endures forever.” 

The choirs practice at least once a week with instrumentalists (drums, keyboard, guitar). The practice includes music, fellowship and prayer.

“Music is generally loved by everyone,” said Treasure Jemima, a music director for the 27-year-old Mustard Seed choir. “You find that some people come to church for only praise and worship, so music is what draws them to church.” 

Aside from a commitment to practice and dedication to serve God through songs, there are no requirements to join a choir at UCU.

In addition to directors, each choir has a chairperson informally called “Papa” and a vice chairperson, casually called “Mama” or vice versa depending on the gender of the person in the roles. The chairpersons are in charge of uniforms or designating colors for members to wear and focused on instrumental accompaniment. 

While vocalists may practice only once a week, instrumentalists could rehearse more. At that, some feel it’s not enough. 

Joel Namonyo, a bass guitarist and a UCU student in the Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology, feels his rehearsal isn’t enough, but he is nevertheless committed to his role.

“I think music is an important aspect that helps bring an environment of praise and worship,” he said. “It is a form of ministry.”

Kalule George, a student in UCU’s School of Law, says gathering as a community under the umbrella of music is effective for keeping up spiritual nourishment, as well as being updated about university activities as most of them are announced during services. 

Music, which has been part of UCU almost from its inception in 1997, transcends mere co-curricular activities. It is the needle that stitches the UCU community under a blanket of unity and the universal language that resonates with students, faculty members and staff, creating a shared experience beyond academics.

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Uganda Christian University has many stories like this one.  To support  programs, students, activities and services, go to  www.ugandapartners.org  and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at  m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.

UCU alum Catherine Nafula, right, interacts with Rhino settlement resident, Rose Night, who uses a tailoring skill to support herself and her family.

Alum at Ugandan refugee settlement: ‘a faith-driven ministry’

News, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Social Sciences, USP


UCU alum Catherine Nafula, right, interacts with Rhino settlement resident, Rose Night, who uses a tailoring skill to support herself and her family.
UCU alum Catherine Nafula, right, interacts with Rhino settlement resident, Rose Night, who uses a tailoring skill to support herself and her family.

By Patty Huston-Holm
Catherine Nafula knows a lot about refugee settlements in Uganda, which, with 1.5 million immigrants, is one of the largest evacuee-hosting nations in the world. Her knowledge is greatest about the two largest areas in Northern Uganda – Bidi Bidi and Rhino, the latter of which she has set foot in more times than she can count. 

As the Arua-area district coordinator for an Italian-based, non-profit called Association of Volunteers in International Service (AVIS), she assesses Rhino camp services, needs and progress and recommends improvements. Rhino, established in 1980 with refugees from multiple countries, strives to make residents self-supporting through jobs such as baking, tailoring, raising goats or producing crops. 

Catherine Nafula works to help immigrants escaping violence and food insecurity through Uganda settlements like Rhino in northern Uganda.
Catherine Nafula works to help immigrants escaping violence and food insecurity through Uganda settlements like Rhino in northern Uganda.

Nafula comes to her position armed with a Uganda Christian University (UCU) School of Social Sciences bachelor’s degree in development studies and a UCU Honors College Diploma in Christian Leadership while currently working on a master’s degree in Public Health Leadership-Save the Mothers through the UCU Faculty of Public Health, Nursing and Midwifery. Her master’s research topic is “The Association between Resilience and Perceived Pregnancy-Related Stress Among Pregnant Refugee Adolescent Girls in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement, Northwestern Uganda.” 

The AVSI foundation’s “graduation to resilience” focus is embedded in 355 projects in 42 countries with the single biggest emphasis in Uganda, mostly to help refugees. 

“I am grateful to share my story because it’s not just mine,” Nafula said. “I believe in a strong message of hope.”

Nafula knows that the majority of the around 146,000 Rhino residents are there because of fear for their lives in a war of tribal and political differences and, in the case of women and girls, genocidal rape. Many have considered suicide and are angry after witnessing family and friends killed in a place that they called home. 

Speaking in the morning of a late September weekend day off, Nafula acknowledged that the higher up the ladder she climbs, the less time she is in the settlement.  These days, the 36-year-old is in one of the seven zones of the Rhino settlement of mostly South Sudanese refugees two-to-three days a week. 

That said, she knows the Rhino operation well. 

Experience with Arua-area refugee settlements goes back to her UCU undergraduate days. A combination of relationships within the UCU Honors College and the Uganda Studies Program (USP) for North American college students landed her an internship with The Mango Project, which emphasizes nutrition and empowerment through processing, storing, eating and selling mango products. 

Map showing Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement in Uganda
Map showing Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement in Uganda

“I remember cooking and preserving mangoes and noticing an extremely malnourished 16-year-old girl,” Nafula said. “I was told she was sick, but medication wasn’t the cure for this child’s problem. She needed food.  After one month,  she was back on her feet. Seeing her healthy melted my heart. She needed knowledge about nutrition. I realized then that we can make differences one person at a time.”

Nafula credits several people for that early work experience and her achievement today. Among them were her American USP roommates, including Iowan Talitha Whitt and Mary Kate LeLoux of Minnesota, for the nudging: Texan Margaret Noblin for mentoring on CV development based on childhood talents;  and Dr. Micah Hughes, formerly with USP and a Mango Project co-founder and now with the Baltimore Urban Studies Program at Messiah University in Pennsylvania. 

“I grew up being very social and wanting to help others,” Nafula said.  “Many people helped me realize my path.”

From the onset, Nafula knew of the need and problems for those leaving South Sudan. While Sudan’s civil war strife is known worldwide in 2024, many have the perception of normalcy in South Sudan, which became the world’s newest country in 2011. The awareness of the conflict between Africa’s Dinkas and Nuer tribes in South Sudan is less familiar. One reason the two clans commit violence against each other is money – often squabbles over land and cattle. Such disputes cause people to run and hide until, in hunger and anguish, they end up crossing the border to a Ugandan settlement. 

Once in the camp, the tribes are separated until they are able to coexist. They are helped to resolve the hate, to put violent acts seen and known behind them and understand they share a reason to be there for a better life than they had back home. 

One success story Nafula recounted from Rhino involves Rose Night of South Sudan. Suffering from a disability, Rose has been nevertheless successful because of a tailoring skill she learned in an AVSI-rural employment services project funded by the International Labour Organisation PROSPECTS program. She received a startup kit to start her journey to self-reliance. Now Rose has her own business and four goats while training five youths and supporting three children. 

‘’Rose is a true reflection of hope to the world,” Nafula said.  “Seeing her excel puts a smile to my soul.’’

Nafula understands a life without perfection. She was born in eastern Uganda’s Busia area, grew up in nearby Mbale and attended primary and secondary school in Iganga, another district in eastern Uganda. Her father died in 2015, leaving her mom,  Agnes Auma, to support her children as a peasant farmer, selling timber for building and for firewood. 

Despite finances, Nafula and her eight siblings all received a university education. 

“My family saw a nurse in me, but my biology and chemistry marks weren’t high,”  Nafula recalled. “I was late in completing S6, late to enrolling in a university, partly because my father was ill, may his soul rest in peace.”

Nafula is grateful to many, including her mother “for not giving up on me,” and all her siblings, especially a brother, Prof. Moses Okumu of Illinoi University, for “their love and support,” and AVSI Foundation, especially an AVSI mentor, John Makoha.

As Nafula earlier struggled with knowing her career plans, a woman named “Carol” from North Carolina, USA, visited Uganda with a Hope for Kids mission team. 

“She encouraged me to be creative and make African crafts from paper, beans and seeds,” Nafula said. “She took them back to the United States and sold my items, sending me the money.” 

With those funds and after some volunteer evangelical work, Nafula met a World Vision affiliate who suggested she get a counselor certificate from Nsamizi Training Institute for Social Development. She got that and a social work diploma before enrolling at UCU. 

“When you find your passion, you excel,” she said.  “Many people helped me to re-discover myself.  I want to give back and do that for others.”  

“The people of concern (i.e. settlement residents) suffer from  trauma and anxiety,” Nafula continued.  “With our skills and mentorship, we work to build their resilience to become self-reliant…we’re part of them. Unfortunately, there are not enough of us to support all of them fully.”

Nafula is daily driven by her Christian faith with special emphasis on the Bible’s Romans 5 referencing that suffering produces perseverance and character with hope. 

“Hope does not disappoint,” she said. “I’m grateful to God.  I look at this job not as work but as a faith-driven ministry.” 

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Uganda Christian University has many student and alumni stories like this one.  To support  programs, students, activities, and services, go to  www.ugandapartners.org  and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at  m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.

UCU Chancellor His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu preaching at All Saints’ Cathedral, Nakasero

UCU Sunday raises over $317,000 in seven years

News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU Sunday, , , ,


UCU Chancellor His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu preaching at All Saints’ Cathedral, Nakasero
UCU Chancellor His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu preaching at All Saints’ Cathedral, Nakasero

By Irene Best Nyapendi
More than sh1.1billion (about US$317,800) has been collected since 2017 when the annual Uganda Christian University (UCU) Sunday was started. Of that amount, sh297,224,648 (about US $81,032) was collected during last year’s UCU Sunday. 

In 2017, the House of Bishops of the Province of the Church of Uganda resolved to designate the last Sunday of September as a UCU Sunday. 

Mr. David Mugawe (second-right) praying with the clergy at St. Luke’s Church of Uganda Ntinda.
Mr. David Mugawe (second-right) praying with the clergy at St. Luke’s Church of Uganda Ntinda.

Of the resources collected every year, 15% goes to capacity-building programs for the clergy, 20% caters for tuition support for children of the clergy and the balance is to support infrastructure development in the university. Of the 65% set aside for development of infrastructure in the university’s main campus and at its constituent colleges, UCU Mbale University College (MUC) got sh19,264,180 ($5,252), UCU Bishop Barham University College (BBUC) received sh31,819,651 ($8,675) and UCU Arua Campus received sh12,698,400 ($3,461).

The buildings established for the UCU schools of medicine and dentistry were made possible by the sh300 million (about $79,275) that was collected on the 2018 UCU Sunday. 

UCU Sunday was established to mobilize financial resources to support the university’s projects, especially infrastructure and to raise awareness about the institution. This tradition spans across Uganda, with every Church of Uganda participating.

The congregation at St. Luke’s Church of Uganda Ntinda during the UCU Sunday.
The congregation at St. Luke’s Church of Uganda Ntinda during the UCU Sunday.

At this year’s UCU Sunday, celebrated on September 29, 2024, the UCU Chancellor, His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, encouraged the congregation to embrace spiritual disciplines of faithfulness and stewardship. 

Preaching at All Saints’ Cathedral, Nakasero in Kampala, on the theme “Characteristics of a Transformed Life”, Kaziimba emphasized that wealth accumulated for selfish purposes is fleeting. Instead, he urged the Christians to always remember to commit (as they are able) resources to the service of God through supporting the church, its ministries and establishments such as “our provincial university, UCU.”

“We do not own what we have; it is all God’s. We are only caretakers. When we give, we honor God’s divine position, provision, and protection,” he said.

The Rev. Canon Eng. Paul Wasswa Ssembiro, the University Chaplain, preached at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe in Kampala. His preaching was centered on the theme “Conforming to the truth of God’s word and not the patterns of this world” (Romans 12:1-2). 

Mr. David Mugawe, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, represented UCU at St. Luke’s Church of Uganda, Ntinda in Kampala, where he testified about the impact of the UCU Sunday contributions toward the university’s mandate of training the clergy.

Rev. Canon Paul Wasswa Ssembiro preaching at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe
Rev. Canon Paul Wasswa Ssembiro preaching at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe

“Through your UCU Sunday contributions, we have so far supported the education of over 40 children of our clergy, until their graduation,” he said. Mugawe added that several infrastructural development projects are ongoing on all UCU campuses, courtesy of the support through the UCU Sunday.

The Rev. Dr. Richard Mulindwa, Manager of the Church Relations Department at UCU, conveyed appreciation to everyone who actively participated and represented the university in diverse churches during the UCU Sunday.

“We deeply appreciate the time, energy, and funds you invested in making the UCU

UCU Alumni President Emmanuel Wabwire (left) and Kivengere Brenda Mbone, Alumni Representative promoting the UCU Sunday
UCU Alumni President Emmanuel Wabwire (left) and Kivengere Brenda Mbone, Alumni Representative promoting the UCU Sunday

Sunday engagements a success,” Rev. Mulindwa said. “Your efforts have brought immeasurable value to the university and helped create lasting connections with the church.”

UCU also extends gratitude to its dedicated UCU Sunday ambassadors for their tireless efforts in promoting the university’s vision and mission across various churches.

To support UCU Sunday, donations can be made through Equity Bank, Post Bank, MTN Money, or Airtel Money. 

Equity Bank

Account Name: Uganda Christian University – UCU Sunday Collections

Account Number: 1006201583777   

PostBank   

Account Name: UCU Sunday Collections   

Account Number:  1630037000131    

MTN Mobile Money

*165*80# (Code A20000)

Airtel Money *185*6*2*1# (Code A20000)

American donations can be made through the Uganda Partners Website donation button at https://www.ugandapartners.org/donate/. Put “UCU Sunday” in the comment box.  

UCU Sunday collections since 2017 (UGX):

2017   67,256,250
2018  243,262,336
2019   257,133,805
2020  25,078,854
2021 35,740,200
2022    240,203,260   
2023 297,224,648

 

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To support Uganda Christian University programs, students, activities, and services, go to  www.ugandapartners.org  and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at  m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.

Eve Namugera, left, a Uganda Christian University (UCU) alumna and a development facilitator with Act International Mission (AIM), with some students at ACT High School, Kyotera, Uganda. At right, second row, is Stephen Bisatu, AIM sponsorship coordinator.

‘Perhaps for the first time, he smiled’

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Eve Namugera, left, a Uganda Christian University (UCU) alumna and a development facilitator with Act International Mission (AIM), with some students at ACT High School, Kyotera, Uganda. At right, second row, is Stephen Bisatu, AIM sponsorship coordinator.
Eve Namugera, left, a Uganda Christian University (UCU) alumna and a development facilitator with Act International Mission (AIM), with some students at ACT High School, Kyotera, Uganda. At right, second row, is Stephen Bisatu, AIM sponsorship coordinator.

By Patty Huston-Holm
Eve Namugera uses the word “hope” a lot. 

In one story she shared during a rainy morning within Kyotera, Uganda – the place where she was born, where she got much of her education and now is employed – Eve recounted a forlorn mother with her 10-month-old, 4 kilogram (8 pounds), expressionless child. 

“The boy was nearly dying,” Eve recalled. “He was panting hard, his ribs and spinal cord were out, with little hair on his head. In tears, the mother was hopeless, explaining how the father removed the boy from her, robbing the infant of her breastmilk for months.”

The boy was suffering from Marasmus, a disease marked by severe malnutrition resulting from lack of calories and often seen in severe cases of starvation and poverty. 

Eve noted that the knowledge she has, including from her studies a decade ago at Uganda Christian University and “the gifts I have from God,” enabled her to provide nutritional advice and support, giving hope to that mother and child. The boy who arrived more than a dozen pounds underweight, gained weight within six weeks and, said Eve, “Perhaps for the first time, he smiled.”

Eve Namugera, UCU School of Health Sciences graduate
Eve Namugera, UCU School of Health Sciences graduate

Today, the almost-six-year-old is a healthy student in a school with the Act International Mission (AIM) Uganda, a community-based organization where Eve works. The boy’s mom has employability skills possible for her and 100 women because of a “Hope Again Women” program through AIM.

“We provided them with healthy living advice, of course, but we also gave both some hope,” Eve said as she concluded this one of many stories on a sunless October 2024 day. “Proving that hope is the joy I feel. What I do is not just work.  It’s a ministry.”

For that mother and son, like many, the mission involved teaching the woman how to make sellable baskets and placemats from dried banana leaf stalks, fiber and raffia and about good nutrition beyond the nutrient-rich foods through MannaPack Rice that she was initially provided. 

While Eve carries the AIM title of development facilitator, her role is multifaceted, often crossing all six of the non-profit’s programs – two designed to help women and youth have a sustainable income, two targeting good health and diet and two connected to Child education and funding for a school and its students. Of the 1,112 students (626 junior school and 486 high school) ranging from ages 4 to 20, at AIM schools, half have sponsors with most of those supporters in the United States. 

Eve knows the economic challenges of the 13,000 residents in her village, that the Kyotera area still carries the 1980s label of  “ground zero of AIDS,” that alcoholism is an issue, especially among men, and that many children are raised by elderly relatives who want them to work as laborers rather than attend school. She also knows that most of the current secondary students – even ones with sponsors – may fail to join university because of the cost.  She knows she is fortunate to have parents who nudged her to higher education. 

“Neither of my parents had a full-time job,” Eve, the oldest of 10 children, said. “They sold fish maws and agricultural products such as beans and maize. They wanted me to  have a good education.”

She attended Christ the King Secondary School locally before finishing high school roughly nine miles away in Kalisizo. With a love of science, her initial goal to become a doctor was switched to social work because of the medical school cost. She quickly realized her place in social work as she completed her UCU bachelor’s degree in community health in 2015. 

Map showing Kyotera area
Map showing Kyotera area

AIM, formerly called Rakai Orphans Development Initiative (RODI), first honed Eve’s talents as a volunteer, then as an administrative assistant and then to a development facilitator. She has worked for AIM for seven years. 

Eve, age 30, married and expecting her second child, sees her time at UCU as critical to her Christ-centeredness. Now identifying as a “Pentecostal Christian,” she in particular points to her undergraduate studies in the Old Testament and New Testament as cementing her understanding of  the Bible. She continues to be driven by 1 John 4:7. 

“We are designed to love one another,” she said. “Everything we do should be about love.”

According to Richard R. Mutaawe, AIM Director of Programs, the CBO’s mission is “to raise action-oriented God-fearing leaders; well nurtured and equipped with relevant knowledge and skills to serve beyond self.”  For that to happen, he added, “You need committed people, beyond just being employees, and that is what Eve brings to this organization. She is a mother to our adolescents.”

According to Eve, the most fulfilling part of her job is making a positive impact in the lives of others and helping them reach their full potential. These growth areas, she says, involve compassion, patience, integrity “but most of all hope.”

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Uganda Christian University has many alumni stories like this one.  To support  programs, students, activities, and services, go to  www.ugandapartners.org  and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at  m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.

Bwambale Bernard Molho, UCU alum, at left, with some members of the All-Star Band at the October gala concert marking 15 years for the Brass for Africa NGO

Organization elevates African youth through brass music

UCU Alumni, UCU School of Education, , , ,


Some members of the All-Star Band at the October gala concert marking 15 years for the Brass for Africa NGO
Some members of the All-Star Band at the October gala concert marking 15 years for the Brass for Africa NGO

By Patty Huston-Holm
Saturday night at one venue in central Kampala, Uganda, found a tuba in a wheelbarrow, young women moving with pots on their heads, a comedy skit on how a man should treat a woman and brass instrumentalists playing songs while dancing. 

Brass? Yes. In Uganda? Yes.

Twenty-nine youth with seven types of brass—horn, cornet, baritone, trombone, tuba and the less familiar euphonium and flugelhorn—took center stage in an instrumental, dance and vocal performance on Saturday, Oct. 5.  The mostly Ugandan performers were the focus of a two-hour gala celebration of 15 years for Brass for Africa. 

Bwambale Bernard Molho with Jim Trott, Brass for Africa founder
Bwambale Bernard Molho with Jim Trott, Brass for Africa founder

“When people think of African music, they don’t think of brass,” said Bwambale Bernard Molho. “But maybe they should.” 

Molho, a Uganda Christian University (UCU) School of Education graduate, is the Partner Relations Officer for the British-based, brass-focused NGO and Executive Assistant to Lizzie Burrowes, the non-profit director of music education. Molho, also a former UCU graduate assistant and honours college coordinator, explained how it started with the idea of one British man, Jim Trott. 

“He’s a pilot and passionate about music,” Molho said. “He happened to visit the slums in Kampala during one layover and saw the poor condition of some musical instruments.  At the same time, his son’s school in London was discarding brass that was in better shape than what children here had.”

Trott, who plays the cornet and piano, transported those discarded instruments to Uganda as a start.  From that small beginning in 2009, Brass for Africa has blossomed to 2,000 mostly age 9-24 brass students in Uganda, Rwanda and Liberia. From that pool of music students, around 30 are selected every year to join the inspirational All-Star Band that was chosen for the gala for the second consecutive year. Before a dedication song, Burrowes tearfully talked about two band members who died—one in 2022 and another in 2023. 

Bernard, left, with some All-Star Band members performing at the gala
Bernard, left, with some All-Star Band members performing at the gala

In addition to Trott, roughly 50 current and potential Brass for Africa supporters from Uganda, England, the United States, the Netherlands and Switzerland listened on Oct. 5 to the band’s 12 selections, heard testimonies about the band’s positive impact on the youthful performers and were reminded of how the NGO started and how it operates. The charity has partnered with over 20 organizations, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Plan International, Mercury Phoenix Trust, Oxfam and The Elton John AIDS Foundation to deliver programs in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Harps and drums have African origins. Brass is traced to the early 19th century in Britain. From “Eye of the Tiger” to the Beatles’ “Hey Jude” and  “Baba Yetu,” the sound and feel of music at the gala was a blend of European and African tunes with a spattering of African dance in place of traditional band marching.  

“I love music, but I’m not a musician,” Molho, a 2018 UCU Bachelor of Arts alum, said. 

He has a guitar, a violin and a small trumpet that he is trying to learn. A hearing impairment—possibly at birth but noticed when he was 13—renders him deaf in his left ear but does not hinder his music enjoyment. 

“I’m an artist, mostly visual art,” he said. “Art is about music, dance, writing and more.”

At that, Brass for Africa, like many art-connected programs, is about more than music. In addition to tapping into fulfilling individual music potential, the self-esteem focus areas are gender equality, disability inclusion, workforce readiness and community empowerment. 

“Nobody ever said they loved me until Brass for Africa,” one performer told the Oct. 5 audience. 

“People discouraged me,” another ensemble member said. “Brass encouraged me.”

While expats may come in to help with instrument teaching, Brass for Africa is 95% African and operated with counselors and mentors for music as well as for skills such as problem solving, teamwork and leadership. In addition to Molho, other UCU alumni engaged with the NGO are Kabuye Ronald, Kasule Daniel and Amanya Annah. 

With its origin and largest reach in Uganda, the demand for the non-academic social change program spans to Rwanda, Liberia, South Sudan, South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania and Kenya, among others. 

For Molho, the Brass for Africa mission of esteem-building fits with his philosophy and everything else he’s been doing. In addition to his full-time position with Brass, he is a virtual mentor in visual art with a young person in France; he helps review grant applications by changemakers with US-based The Pollination Project; and he has managed a Usanii Village Africa art  initiative in Kasese since July 2020. The Kasese project that Molho started involves sewing, carpentry and making art from discarded items. 

“We call it eco-artistry,” he said of the art component. “Both Brass and Usanii are about empowerment and transforming marginalised communities. 

Due to Molho’s focus with Brass for Africa over the past three years, the Kasese effort, possible because of a Pollination Project grant, has occupied less of his time but is still growing. 

Molho points to UCU’s emphasis on Christian faith, leadership and development as playing a large part in his career success.  

“What leads you?” he asked rhetorically. “God shows me a source of direction. I put in the effort.”

He credits his father, a pastor, for his skill in speaking six languages.  He has been helping with interpretation since age 12. 

“Most people don’t think of writing or languages as art, but it is,” Molho said. “How you present yourself is an art.  How our brass ensemble students present themselves is art. For most of these youth, this is a platform they wouldn’t otherwise have.”

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Uganda Christian University has many alumni stories like this one.  To support  programs, students, activities, and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.

Phiona Tebattagwabwe Luswata, manager of Beri Cottages in Arua

Buganda princess, a UCU graduate, aspires to serve

News, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Business, , , , , ,


Phiona Tebattagwabwe Luswata, manager of Beri Cottages in Arua
Phiona Tebattagwabwe Luswata, manager of Beri Cottages in Arua

By Patty Huston-Holm
Ronald Edward Frederick Kimera Muwenda Mutebi II is the current and 36th kabaka (aka king) of the Buganda Kingdom, which is the largest and wealthiest among Uganda’s 56 tribes. Once a prince, he has five children – two princes and three princesses. 

“I’m a princess,” said Phiona Tebattagwabwe Luswata.

But she is not the daughter, granddaughter or great-granddaughter of the present king.  She’s a niece. 

“I’m a great-granddaughter of His Highness Sir Daudi Chwa II,” Phiona said of the 34th kabaka who died in 1939. 

In a conversation punctuated with laughter and in the courtyard of Beri Cottages, Arua, Phiona, manager of the establishment and a Uganda Christian University (UCU) alum, explained some of her royal lineage.

Phiona, right, with a Beri Cottages employee, Brenda Bako
Phiona, right, with a Beri Cottages employee, Brenda Bako

In Buganda, a ruling king on the throne is called “kabaka.” When he dies, he is called “Ssekabaka,” to mean “a deceased king.” Therefore, “Ssekabaka Daudi Chwa II” (the late King David Chwa II) produced 20 sons, among whom is Phiona’s grandfather – the late Prince Ssepiriya Daniel Luswata, who is a blood brother to Prince Edward Walugembe Muteesa II who later became king (the 35th kabaka) after succeeding their father and is the father of the 36th kabaka of Buganda Kingdom. This makes the current King Ronald Edward Frederick Kimera Muwenda Mutebi II a first cousin to Phiona’s father, Prince Nakibinge David Luswata. 

Surprisingly to some less familiar with royalty, Princess Phiona, a 2016 graduate of the  UCU School of Business, is not about being served but serving. 

In late September 2024, the daughter of Prince Nakibinge David Luswata of Kawaala shared her lineage, her education and her career journey to her current position as manager of Beri Cottages. 

As her parents separated when Phiona was age 2, she was mostly raised by her mother, “Omuzana,” which is a title given to all wives of princes.  Additionally known as Regina Nandagga,  her mom was a hairdresser who also sold pigs during the Covid-19 pandemic. There are seven siblings from the father and three among the two parents. 

Most of Phiona’s primary and secondary education was in Kampala.  Her marks were good. While ambition to further her education wasn’t strong, Phiona had her sights on being a teacher like those she had in school or a businesswoman like her mom. 

While pondering career choices, she lived and attended church with an uncle in Mukono. With minimal music experience, she played the flute and sang in the church choir, being noticed for her raw talent by Mr. Daniel Ssempereza, then the UCU Music Director.  

Although she wasn’t a student at UCU, she was nurtured by Ssempereza to sometimes sing in the choir and play the flute in the main campus’ Nkoyoyo Hall.  At this point, her father thought twice and decided she should become a UCU student. 

At UCU, her focus was on International Business. Between classes, she applied her entrepreneurial skills through a fast-food selling project (chapatis). 

Before the UCU degree, Phiona was involved in commerce, taking an accounting course at MAT ABACUS Business School. She did a short stint as a business news reporter for a “Money and Markets” show with NTV Uganda. She later served as a waitress at the four-star Hotel Africana in Kampala and had industrial training, managing the delivery of merchandise imported from Overseas through Bollore Africa Global Logistics, a shipping and clearing firm in Kampala.

Years later, as a supervisor engaged in multiple jobs at Beri Cottages, she was promoted to manager two years ago. 

“A friend from UCU recommended me for this job,” Phiona said. 

Laughing, she added: “Arua seemed like the end of the world.  I had never been here before, but I love taking risks and trying new things, so here I am.”

Except for the valued time to visit a six-year-old daughter who lives with her mom in Kampala, Phiona generally works every day, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., managing 31 employees in an atmosphere where “they enjoy being here.”  She sends a daily report to a managing director – “the best boss I’ve had” – in Kampala. 

“I have a passion for serving,” she said. “I’ve created an environment where employees know how to do multiple jobs.  I believe we have an atmosphere where staff members smile a lot as I do.” 

She credits UCU for making her a good leader. 

As for her princess status, Phiona participates in some ceremonies to respect and protect tradition and culture while believing, she said with a smile, “that the current king might not even know me.” 

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This story is an example of Uganda Christian University (UCU) successes. 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.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.