By Pauline Luba
At just 12 years, Emmanuel Modi left his native country, South Sudan, and crossed into Uganda. Going to Uganda was his family’s collective idea with the hope for a better education.
Today, Modi, a graduate of Uganda Christian University (UCU), stands as a testament to the power of resilience and vision. He says he’s determined to uplift his community back home, leveraging his acquired knowledge and skills to contribute to the country’s development, as well as working towards a more stable and prosperous future.
Born into the Kakwa tribe from Yei, South Sudan, Modi settled in Uganda’s northwestern Arua district and quickly embraced his new environment while charting an unusual academic path. He completed education at Arua Primary School and had his O’level studies at Vision High School in Kawempe, Kampala. Instead of joining A’level like most of his peers, Modi enrolled for a more economical Certificate in Business Administration at UCU’s Arua Campus in 2018.
By 2023, he had steadily advanced through a diploma and finally a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a specialization in “management” alongside a short course in Administrative Law.
“My desire to develop strong leadership and management skills, a fascination with how businesses operate, and the potential for a rewarding career path are the inspirations I had for pursuing Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration,” he says.
The journey has not only equipped him with knowledge, but also opened doors to diverse possibilities in consulting, finance, marketing, and administration across the civil society, government, and private sectors.
For Modi, UCU was more than just an academic institution; it was a nurturing ground for holistic growth. He says he chose it for its Christ-centered approach to education and its reputation for shaping well-rounded individuals. Studying at the Arua Campus gave him a practical solution to access higher education in a convenient and affordable way, without having to leave his community. UCU’s Arua branch, he says, uniquely combines academic rigor with community engagement and spiritual formation.
Leadership has always been Modi’s natural calling, but UCU refined and amplified it. Rising through various positions, he eventually served as the 19th Guild Speaker and Chief Warden of the University Chapel, two influential roles that gave him the platform to practice the very skills he was studying to master.
“My motivation for taking up leadership roles stemmed from a desire to embody the university’s core values of Christ-centeredness, diligence, integrity, servanthood and stewardship,” he said.
Through these experiences, Modi strengthened crucial abilities like communication, teamwork, problem-solving and accountability – values he now carries into every aspect of his life.
Today, Modi is back in South Sudan, playing a pivotal role at the Institute of Social Policy and Research. His work centers on social, economic, and governance research to help shape better policies and empower the civil society.
The job is not without challenges. Insecurity, corruption and weak institutional capacity test even the most patient change agents. Yet the rewards are far greater for Modi. He sees lives changed, communities strengthened and a fragile nation taking steps toward peace and prosperity.
Beyond his formal role, Modi sees the potential of human networks. That’s why he’s committed to uniting UCU alumni in South Sudan, a mission to strengthen professional ties, create mentorship opportunities and spark collective problem-solving.
“By uniting, UCU alumni in South Sudan can become a powerful force for positive change, contributing to both their own professional growth and the development of their nation,” he emphasizes. He has started connecting graduates through platforms like WhatsApp, virtual alumni events, and informal networks, determined to turn scattered individual stories into a single powerful chapter of change.
His advice to current UCU students and graduates is simple, and profound: Tap into the tools you already have. Use your faith, education, and networks to serve your communities, however small the first steps may seem.
“Be patient with the process and celebrate small victories along the way,” he says.
From a young boy crossing borders for school to a young man shaping policy, engaging in a variety of activities, including conducting research, analyzing data, developing innovative solutions, and contributing to knowledge-sharing and dissemination in South Sudan, Modi’s journey continues and so does his hope that others will be inspired to pick up the baton of transformation.
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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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