By Pauline Luba
Years ago, when Brig. Gen. Abdul Rugumayo, a member of Uganda’s army, completed Senior Four, he could not proceed to A’level. He said he did not have the money that was needed for school fees. 

As a result, he registered to teach as a non-qualified teacher in a primary school in Uganda, so he could save some money for further education. He eventually saved the money and was able to complete school. 

What a coincidence that Rugumayo, the Deputy Director of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence — the intelligence arm of Uganda’s army — was the one invited to flag off a run organized to raise funds for tuition for needy students of Uganda Christian University (UCU). 

“This activity is something very close to my heart, especially when someone is about to do their exams,” Rugumayo said, as he narrated his personal story, before adding: “To give is not because you have. To give is because you share.” 

The run, which covered six kilometers (three miles) around Mukono in central Uganda, took place on October 21, 2023. Organized by UCU student leaders, the event began at 7 a.m. with participants engaging in aerobic exercises before the actual race at 8 a.m.

“I come from a family that would have required this type of arrangement during my time as a student,” said Rugumayo, who has served in the army for the past 35 years. He handed over Sh3 million (about $800) as contribution from the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence. He also promised to contribute sh2million (about $530) and commended the student leaders for identifying the military as a partner in trying to support society.

Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge East African Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, was the main guest of the day.

“I’m glad that the tradition has been maintained and that the young people are growing up as philanthropists. It’s very easy for one not to care about others because their tuition fees have been paid,” said Kadaga, a former Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament. She flagged off the maiden UCU guild run in 2020 and has been keeping tabs on the subsequent races. For the 2020 run, among the donors was Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who contributed sh80million (about $21,250). At the October 21 event, Kadaga pledged to donate sh10million (about $2,700) towards the cause.

UCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi thanked runners for participating in a cause aimed at supporting needy students with tuition. Mushengyezi pledged sh3million (about $800) from the Office of the Vice Chancellor. Pamela Tumwebaze, the acting head of the Directorate of Student Affairs at UCU, pledged to contribute sh1million ($264). All participants in the race bought running kits — either a vest at sh20,000 (about $5.3) or a T-shirt at sh30,000 (about $8),  which they wore on the day of the run. By the end of the event, sh24,000,000 ($6,400) had been collected in cash and pledges.

The proceeds are expected to be handed over to the student leaders who organized the run and they will, thereafter, distribute to students facing financial difficulties. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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

Also, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

By Pauline Luba
Christiana Ampeire was at one time mocked for scoring low grades at school. Among the people who mocked her for what they considered poor performance, she says, was one of her teachers in secondary school. 

Such conduct towards Ampeire forced her to reset her mind with every sunset. Luckily for her, the tide changed in her favor. And on October 13, 2023, she had a plaque to show for that. The plaque was a gift for academic excellence. 

“Here I am with a First Class Degree, and I feel good,” Ampeire, a fresh graduate of Uganda Christian University, said. She was among the 33 students who graduated with a First Class at UCU’s 24th graduation ceremony held at the Main Campus on October 13. At UCU, every student who achieves a First-Class degree is awarded with an academic achievement plaque. 

Ampeire received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication at the ceremony where 986 students graduated. Fifty-four percent of the graduates, drawn from the Main and Arua Campuses, including some of the affiliate institutions,  were female students. 

At the ceremony, Precious Claire Ninsiima, a graduate of Bachelor of Business Administration, was announced the overall best student, and also the best arts student, scoring a Grade Point Average of 4.78 of 5.0. Gilbert Afema was the best male student. Afema, who graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity, had a Grade Point Average of 4.60 of 5.0. Martin Juuko took home the award for best science student, garnering a Grade Point Average of 4.50 of 5.0 in Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Ninsiima said she had initially been admitted to Makerere University to pursue a degree course in international business under government sponsorship. However, the allure of the orderliness and the virtues that the alums of UCU espouse were too strong for Ninsiima’s mother to ignore. She thus relocated her daughter to UCU, so she could tap into the values that come with studying at the university.

“My mother suggested I join UCU because of its values and its image as a Christ-centered institution,” Ninsiima said.

However, UCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi reminded the graduates that the values they had acquired at the university need to be nurtured “because it’s what sets you apart as a UCU graduate. UCU is well-known for our value-based education.” 

The Rt. Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, the day’s chief guest and former Archbishop of the Anglican Church, who is also a former chancellor of UCU, urged the graduates to be willing and ready to use the values they had learned to serve humanity.

“True service will promote your name. Be willing and ready to serve. You don’t have to bribe your way to a position. Faithful service wins the approval of heaven and it’s heaven that promotes,” Orombi said. He encouraged the graduates, who included five UCU staff who graduated with PhDs, to pursue their destiny with ambition and prove themselves as trustworthy workers. 

Getting doctoral degrees from UCU were the following faculty members: Rev. Dr. Abel Wankuma Kibbedi, who completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Literature; and Dr. Faith Mbabazi Musinguzi, Dr. Gladys Ayot Oyat, and Dr. David Sengendo, all acquiring a PhD in Education Administration and Management. Dr. Arthur Nuwagaba of the School of Business was awarded a PhD in Business and Administration from the University of Nairobi.  

Enumerating some of the recent achievements at the university, Mushengyezi mentioned the six newly accredited PhD programs at the university, inviting people to take up the opportunities to further their academic pursuits. The newly accredited programs are PhD in Journalism, Media and Communication; Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies; Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration; Doctor of Philosophy in Theology (reassessment); and Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Philosophy in Literature.

UCU Chancellor His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, encouraged the graduates to apply the knowledge they have acquired to be change makers.

“I encourage you to embrace your roles as potential job creators and innovators. Be bold, take risks, and pursue your passions with self-discipline and trust in God to lead you,” Mugalu said.

He urged the graduates to tap into the power of social media to connect people, bridge gaps, and amplify voices. However, he warned about the potential of social media to promote division, cause misinformation, negativity and biases.

For the second time, Uganda Partners, in partnership with the UCU Department of Communications and Public Relations, produced an annual newspaper, the Ebenezer that was distributed to some guests at the graduation ceremony. The online edition can be found here. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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

Also, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

By Pauline Luba
On October 11, 2023, former Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Uganda, the Rt.  Rev. Henry Luke Orombi celebrated his 74th birthday. To mark this day, Orombi cut a specially made, three-tiered cake at the Uganda Christian University’s Nkoyoyo Hall, a structure named after his predecessor in the Church of Uganda leadership, Archbishop Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo.

However, the main reason for Orombi’s presence at UCU that day was not to celebrate his birthday. In fact, the cake was a surprise to him, since he had already celebrated the birthday a day earlier, owing to the fact that he had a commitment on his birthday. Orombi was at UCU to deliver this year’s keynote address at the university’s Annual Public Lecture that is always held two days before the October graduation ceremony.  

Under the theme “Servant Leadership,” Orombi spent the sunny afternoon attempting to convince the leaders in the fully-packed Nkoyoyo Hall on why the positions they hold at their workplaces and elsewhere demand more service from them than entitlement. He said just like the church, Uganda needs more leaders who are able to impact those they lead than leaders who care more about “boastful” lives.

The concept of servant leadership is one aspect of management that is rare to find. It is premised on the belief that as a leader, your first and foremost goal is to serve the people you lead, and then you can aspire to lead them. This is in contrast to the age-old practice of traditional leadership, which is about exercising one’s power assumed from the authority bestowed on them as a result of the leadership position they hold. 

“When you meet some of the leaders and you try to introduce them as Mr., they correct you, saying, ‘I am Hon.’,” Orombi noted, indicating that some leaders are more concerned about the titles than the responsibility that the positions bring.

“But titles go with responsibilities,” the bespectacled Orombi said. “The higher you go in leadership, the more responsibilities you have. You come under more intense scrutiny, wherever you go and in whatever you do.”

Part of the members of the audience were UCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi and his two deputies — the Rev. Assoc. Prof. John Kitayimbwa and Mr. David Mugawe. Also in attendance was former Vice Chancellor, the Rev. Canon. Dr. John Senyonyi, and H.E Tania Perez, the Cuban Ambassador to Uganda. 

Just as was expected of a former archbishop, Orombi, the Chancellor of UCU from 2004 to 2012, spent a considerable time during his lecture, drawing lessons from the Bible to enrich his lecture.  

“When Jesus walked the earth as God-man, he was fully God, so he had a lot of power,” Orombi, currently the Chancellor of Muni University in Uganda. said. “But, he did not use it. If He did, only slightly. Such should be the case with servant leaders.” 

He called on servant leaders to use the positions they have to mentor people, especially the younger ones, drawing lessons from the life of Jesus, who he said came to serve, and not to be served and that that is the kind of servant leaders “we are meant to be.”

The Rev. Prof. Dr. Samuel Luboga, the chairperson of the Uganda’s Education Service Commission, who was the discussant at the public lecture, concurred with Orombi, noting: “Unless we become servant leaders, we cannot hope to serve efficiently the people before us, let alone accomplish the great commission of Jesus Christ.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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

Also, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook