Tag Archives: business

UCU alum spearheads cryptocurrency in Uganda

September 19, 2024News, UCU Alumni, UCU School of BusinessBitcoin, business, Crypto, Finance, UCUPatty Huston-Holm

Abel Namureba is passionate about cryptocurrency.

By Pauline Luba
At 29 years old, Abel Namureba has earned the “face of cryptocurrency” nickname in Uganda. He is a passionate fintech (short for “financial technology”) enthusiast.

Namureba’s educational journey began at Hormisdallen Primary School. He went to Seroma Christian High School for his O-Levels, and Turkish Light Academy for A-Levels. Namureba’s fluency in math led him towards a career in finance – eventually leading him to Uganda Christian University (UCU), where he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from 2015 – 2018.

“Finance is applied to every aspect of life,” Namureba said.

He stated that while at UCU, he was thinking about the defined success route for accountants. He wasn’t the top or worst student, but he wanted to specialize in something, eventually landing on Bitcoin.

Bitcoin, a form of digital currency, is traded globally across online platforms with a maximum supply of 21 million coins to be in existence. Despite the controversies surrounding Bitcoin, Namureba was intrigued by its potential to reshape the global finance scope, especially in Uganda. He studied it deeply.

Namureba is often dubbed the “face of cryptocurrency” in Uganda.

During his first year at UCU, Namureba was already with the Uganda Revenue Authority and later contributed to Standard Chartered Bank as a junior associate and worked on projects such as supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. He then volunteered with Binance and actively worked to educate the masses about cryptocurrency. Afterwards, he joined a startup called Yellow Card as Country Manager, significantly growing its user base to over $100,000 and generating $10 million monthly for the firm. Recently, he left Yellow Card to start Itwe Solutions, a finance and technology consultancy, registered in both the United States and Uganda.

Additionally, he recently completed his MBA at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.

For the past decade, Namureba has been a vocal advocate for cryptocurrency in Uganda, frequently appearing on news platforms like CNBC and NTVUganda to debate controversial issues and explain crypto’s dynamics, benefits and pitfalls. He also has participated in the country’s policy creation, the official launch of crypto in Uganda and its ever-evolving regulation by several government bodies.

“Money has evolved, and we are now in a new digital era,” Namureba explains. “Cryptocurrency represents a global currency form.”

However, he warns about the risks, noting that scammers often mislead people into believing they can quickly turn small investments into significant sums such as shs50,000($13) to shs1,000,000 ($272). He stresses that, like all investments, cryptocurrency comes with risks, including fluctuations and potential losses.

Namureba’s personal experience with scams includes losing $20,000 to a fraudster in his early days at Yellow Card. Instead of being discouraged, this experience helped him better understand the industry. He points to infamous cases like the OneCoin scam, where a fraudster embezzled €4 billion ($5.2 billion), from Ugandans, and is among one of the most wanted people in the world by the FBI. Despite the controversies, Namureba remains committed to educating Ugandans about the true potential of cryptocurrency, comparing it to investing in land — a long-term asset that when properly cared for, retained and allowed to grow in value can reap beneficial results.

“Education is key,” Namureba emphasizes. “There is no quick money in crypto.”

He is currently involved in ongoing discussions with the Bank of Uganda, fintech conferences, and blockchain meetings to ensure there are better regulation and protection policies on cryptocurrency and among its users within the country.

When he isn’t working, Namureba enjoys adventurous activities like skydiving, bungee jumping, skating and poetry. Through it all, his faith remains dominant.

A believer in Christ, his name, “Namureba,” meaning “I’ve seen Him (God),” constantly reminds him of this faith.

Born in Kampala and raised in Kanungu and from the Bakiga tribe, Namureba is the youngest son of six of Janet Baryaruha, a businesswoman, and his late father, a soldier. Despite his father’s early death, he remembers a childhood filled with love and provision.

“I live for God’s glory, and I hope to be part of people’s purpose by helping meet their needs,” Namureba said.

His advice to those interested in fintech and crypto is to get informed, volunteer, work for free if necessary and never stop learning.

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Athlete narrates journey of injury bounce back

September 10, 2024News, Sports, Students, UCU School of Business#News, #students, business, sportsEdwin Byarugaba

By Kefa Senoga
Tuesday, May 14, 2024, began like any other day for Frank Okello. As usual, he woke up early to do his routine morning exercise. However, he was not able to complete that run. Okello fell into a pothole, fracturing his right leg.

“As I lay on the ground in severe pain, passers-by, including bodaboda riders, gathered around me, asking how they could help,” Okello recalled. “I requested to be taken to Allan Galpin, and that’s where they took me.”

Allan Galpin is Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) health center.

Okello during the university games at UCU

After assessing Okello’s injury, a chip-off fracture of the right calcaneus bone, the medics at Allan Galpin referred him to Mukono Church of Uganda Hospital for further treatment.

As the pain subsided, Okello started thinking about the future of his education at UCU, where he is studying on a sports scholarship. What would happen if he did not recover fully to participate in the track races? Would the university cut short his studies? These and more were the unanswered questions ringing in Okello’s mind. He feared the worst.

Despite the many fears, at least the one of paying the hospital bills was not among them. The bills were wholly covered by UCU, where Okello is currently pursuing a Diploma in Business Administration.

In June, when he went back to the hospital for a check up, the medics told Okello that his recovery was progressing well, and thus he got the greenlight to start light exercises to rebuild his muscle strength. In August, the doctor cleared Okello to start jogging again.

Okello’s has been a life of full dependence on his talent.

While in Primary Seven at Onyakede Primary School in Lira district, northern Uganda, Okello pulled off a stunning performance while representing his school for the district athletics competitions. It was at that event that he was spotted and recommended for a scholarship opportunity for secondary school studies at Mukono High School in central Uganda.

Okello (left) with Olympic 10,000 record holder and gold medalist Joshua Cheptegei

However, Okello left the school after one year because he said his single mother, Akoli Milly Grace, could not afford the transport costs that her son incurred to report to school at the beginning and to return home at the end of the term. He, therefore, joined another school near his home in Lira.

From then on, thanks to his sports talent, Okello was recruited and studied at four different secondary schools on sports bursary, until he completed secondary education.

For instance, after Senior Two, Okello changed to another school that equally offered full bursary because he needed more competition in the field events.

“While at Premier Progressive Secondary School in Lira, our athletics coach who was also coaching another school persuaded me to change to that other school because he felt it offered more ground for tougher competition both in athletics and academics,” Okello says.

While in Senior Four and as an athlete for the national schools athletics competitions,

Okello (in white) racing during the inter-university games

Okello won gold medals for the 10,000meters, 5,000 meters, 1,500metres and 800 meters for his school, Namakwa Secondary School.

It was while at one of the national athletics schools competitions that UCU coaches Timothy Kabuye and Ivan Wesonga identified him as a possible sports scholarship recipient at the university.

Under the UCU scholarship, Okello first acquired a Certificate in Child Development from Uganda Martyrs Seminary, an affiliate of UCU. After that course, he joined UCU for a Diploma in Business Administration, where he is currently in the final year of study.

In 2022, Okello was the overall winner of the Annual UCU Guild Run, running 8km (5 miles) in 25 minutes.

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UCU Writing Center students share experiences

August 7, 2024Faculty of Engineering, Design & Technology, News, Students, UCU School of Business, UCU School of Social Sciences#News, #students, #technology, business, Social Sciences, Writing CenterPatty Huston-Holm

(On October 20, 2022, the main campus of Uganda Christian University (UCU) officially opened a writing center located at Hamu Mukasa Library. Guided by Prof. Tom Deans, director of a writing center at the University of Connecticut, USA, the purpose was to help students improve their writing skills in all disciplines. The model is one of personalised support to students through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and other resources. According to Kajubi Martin, the center’s acting manager, over 200 students have been served. Michael Ainomugisha, a student in the UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication, interviewed a few of these students.)

Said Muhamod – School of Social Sciences
“As an international student from Somalia, I used to struggle to write essays and tasks. The Writing Center has helped me develop my skills in essay writing, research methodologies, and dissertations. They offered individual feedback on my work, including advice on proper formatting and directions. Weekly lessons aimed to improve my grammar and fluency, which greatly improved my abilities to write and speak English. Furthermore, the Center taught me how to write resumes and application letters. The Writing Center has been excellent in assisting me in adapting to my assignments and overcoming language barriers, considerably improving my academic achievement and communication skills.”

Agenorwot Daphine Amone – Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology
“One of the reasons I went to the Writing Centre was because I needed help to improve my writing skills in terms of essays and answering assignments. I was connected to a coach in a course unit, and I have learned a lot and improved my writing. I believe that learning is an ongoing process, so I will continue to attend the sessions at the Writing Center. Also. I have learned communication skills, particularly in public speaking. Mr. Kajubi helped us with presentations in class, and we practised talking about ourselves, which helped me gain confidence and be the best version of ourselves when speaking to a large audience. I believe that I will continue to learn from the Writing Center and continue to improve my writing skills.”

Nambuya Whitney Gladys – School of Business
“I got to know about the Writing Center after visiting the library regularly, and I saw the poster outside. I also had two of my classmates who are members of the Writing Center so I got to know more about it from them. The coaches have guided us on how to write our dissertations, which is one of the requirements as you are graduating in our final year of the course. It’s interesting, we learn more and this is a point in time where I was supposed to write something like a review which was one of the questions that we were doing in game Writing and Study skills two, so it kind of challenged me. I would rate my writing to 8.5 (out of 10) before seeking help. I would really struggle with how to write particular things like limits of the CV, the letters. I was narrowed down to some basic things but after interacting more with them, I got guidance and more things that would be beneficial for me when I move out of the university.”

Kukundakwe Hope – School of Business
“The UCU Writing Center has been a transformative resource for me. I’ve learned how to make proper references and citations, write essays and approach my coursework with greater confidence. The guidance I’ve received on how to write my course units has been invaluable. This support has significantly elevated my coursework marks and improved my CGPA. The coaches at the Writing Centre have been helpful, providing assistance and ensuring I understand the best approaches to my coursework. They go above and beyond to help us excel in our dissertations and research work, which has greatly enhanced my overall academic performance. My experience at the Writing Centre has been exceptional, and I am grateful for the skills and knowledge gained. Their commitment to student success is evident, and I highly recommend their services to any student looking to improve their academic writing and performance.”

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UCU Writing Center coaches share how they help others

August 6, 2024Faculty of Engineering, Design & Technology, News, Students, UCU School of Business, UCU School of Education#News, #students, #technology, business, Education, Writing CenterPatty Huston-Holm

Busobozi Ian John Baptist, right, coaches a group of students in the UCU Writing Center.

(With a team of 29 dedicated student coaches from various schools and faculties, Uganda Christian University’s writing center, located within the Mukono campus’ Hamu Mukasa Library, plays a key role in academic enrichment. Officially opened in October 2022 and currently under the leadership of Kajubi Martin, the acting manager, the center strives to help students amplify their writing skills, scholarly voice and academic success. Christine Mirembe, a student in the School of Journalism, Media and Communication, got some insights into the center through interviews with four coaches.)

Christy Asiimwe – School of Education
Christy Asiimwe, alongside Joshua Gira, is working to develop an English language program tailored specifically for international students.

“I am excited about the curriculum,” Christy, an English major in the UCU School of Education, said. “I would love to do a masters in Education, Management and Curriculum Development using experience from the writing center as a base. I wish to have an online presence where I teach English.”

Having a background in the French language as part of her high school curriculum has accorded Christy an advantage when tutoring students from Francophone countries. While she encourages them to speak and write English, she greets them in French.

“I am assigned students based on their needs and my competencies,” said Christy, who has been a tutor, working twice a week for 90 minutes each, since 2023. “As much as I would have loved to engage more with my students, my busy schedule does not allow more.”

She credits supportive colleagues, particularly Joshua, also an English major, for any success she has.

“Working at the writing center has been very fruitful,” Christy said. “I cherish the bonds I’ve built with students. Watching them grow and being part of their journey brings me immense joy and fulfillment as a teacher. Helping them fit into the society by engaging them with the English language is an opportunity the writing center has availed.”

Two improvements she suggested are more tutor trainings and stronger collaboration with the International Students Association.

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Milton Abel Opio – School of Business
“Writing should be a compulsory skill for every student; its power speaks a lot more if we go into details. Effective communication is crucial in all fields, business inclusive.”

These are the words of Milton Abel Opio, a writing center coach and student in the School of Business. He has a passion for writing and helping others share his passion. He is grateful that Martin Kajubi recruited him as a tutor in February 2023.

“I tutor accounting in business administration because that is where my strength is channeled,” Milton said. “I find it more transparent; it is way more than just numbers, something that most people do not know. My sessions are usually two to four hours, depending on my students’ workload and their ability to grasp concepts.”

Helping others is a win-win as he has discovered improvements in his own work as he does more reading and research to have a better grasp of concepts and to share with those who he tutors. His own writing about finance has multiplied.

“Tutoring at the writing center has been amazing; you get to meet and interact with people from all walks of life,” Milton said. “I have hence used this space to learn, unlearn and re-learn from various people, making me better.”

He cited an example – “one of my most rewarding moments” – of working with a student who had difficulties structuring essays and how together, they organized ideas, developed thesis statements and incorporated evidence.

He acknowledged that time management has been difficult as he juggles his own work with time to help others with theirs.

“I try to maintain a schedule that allocates time for my personal assignments and office duties,” Milton said. “Multitasking has become the standard practice. I would love to continue tutoring. The past year has been amazing and with unwavering support, I know there is still room for me to learn and create impact where passion lies. Learning never stops.”

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Busobozi Ian John Baptist – Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology
Before coming to the writing center in September 2023, Busobozi Ian John Baptist had a reputation for sharing knowledge with colleagues. He believes that teaching has rewards for both teacher and student.

“You can teach someone; they get 90% and you get 80%,” he said.

With average sessions running for two-to-three hours each, he guides groups of five to six students.

“Engineering requires a lot of time and dedication,” Baptist said. “I recall conducting a study session that lasted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during which we thoroughly reviewed all the work from across all the course units in preparation for exams.”

Prior to all sessions, he gives students a heads-up on what will be discussed and when. This allows prior preparation, hence making the work more effective. Meeting and interacting with a diverse audience is an opportunity tutoring has provided.

Baptist has been impacted by the “learning by teaching” principle, where teaching others has helped him solidify his own understanding of concepts and retention of knowledge. He grasps concepts much better and attributes his good grade-point average to this.

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Isooba Mbeiza Rachel – Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology
Since childhood, Isooba Mbeiza Rachel has enjoyed passing on what she knows to others.

“Helping someone understand concepts brings me joy,” she said.

Since assuming her writing center coach role in September 2023, she has met with one-to-two students for two hours each week. While helpful, she feels sessions could be more beneficial if they were longer and more frequent.

“Mr. Martin Kajubi, our director, is amazing, helpful and very understanding,” Rachel said. “It is such a blessing to be part of the writing center. People are very kind, friendly and embrace teamwork. Generally, the atmosphere is very conducive for all.”

She also lauded the 2024 writing week that exposed students to different types of literature.

As with other tutors, balancing their own academics with tutor duties can be challenging, according to Rachel who added that the benefits outweigh obstacles.

“Witnessing the great academic impact the writing center has had on the student body and my passion for teaching others, I would love to continue working with the writing center,” she said.

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UCU seeks to improve student experience through transformation initiative

July 9, 2024News, Students#News, #students, business, EducationPatty Huston-Holm

Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi explains the five key points of the UCU Campus Transformation Initiative.

By Irene Best Nyapendi
For seven years, starting this year, Uganda Christian University (UCU) will be striving to transform its face through digitization, infrastructure refurbishment and greening the campuses. To achieve this initiative that seeks to improve the student experience, the university also will pay attention to improving the staff motivation to enable employees to become agents of transformation.

According to UCU Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, the project, named the Campus Transformation Initiative 2024-2030, seeks to bring to life the vision of the founders of the university.

Speaking at the project launch in late May, Mushengyezi explained that the seven-year timeline is significant, drawing inspiration from biblical themes of perfection, completion and abundance. This signature initiative formed part of the report card that Mushengyezi gave to the university stakeholders during the Vice Chancellor’s address at the UCU graduation on July 5.

“God created the world in seven days and it was perfect, so we are believing in God for a season of perfection of his work here at UCU,” Mushengyezi said in May.

The initiative at a glance:

Digitized Campus Services: UCU aims to leverage technology to enhance the student experience, improve efficiency, and streamline campus operations. This includes the implementation of digital platforms for learning, administration, and communication.
“We want to emphasize a digitalized campus, so that our stakeholders can relate with us in a faster and efficient way,” said Mushengyezi.
Refurbished Campus Infrastructure: The university plans to renovate and upgrade its facilities to create a conducive learning environment. This includes the construction of new buildings and refurbishment of classrooms, libraries, and other infrastructure.
“Some of our buildings have served their time and may have to come down to give room for bigger and better infrastructure,” Mushengyezi explained. “Even the ones we can still use, we want to renovate them so that we can have a conducive environment for our lecturers and students to enjoy.”
Paved and Remodeled Walkways and Roads: UCU aims to upgrade its walkways and roads to create a safe and accessible campus environment. This includes paving and remodeling walkways, roads, and parking areas to enhance mobility and accessibility.
Landscaped, Green and Clean Campuses: The university is committed to creating and maintaining a beautiful, green, and sustainable campus. This includes landscaping, planting trees and flowers, and implementing initiatives to keep the campus clean and green. The goal is to create a conducive environment for staff and students, and to make UCU a benchmark for campus transformation globally.
Trained, Equipped, and Motivated Team to Lead the Transformation: UCU is committed to developing a team of highly skilled and dedicated professionals who will drive the transformation process. This team will be equipped with the necessary tools and resources to ensure the initiative’s success.

Students welcome initiative
Ryan Asabo, a year-one student pursuing a Bachelor of Procurement and Logistic Management, expressed joy for the ongoing transformations at UCU. Asabo, who is on a sports bursary at UCU, was drawn to the university due to its promise of academic and sports transformations.

“I’m excited to enjoy some of the transformations, like the paving of the walkways,” he said.”I’m sure many more students will be attracted to UCU because of some of the transformations being undertaken.”

Lillian Akao, a second-year student pursuing Bachelor of Business Administration, has expressed her satisfaction with the ongoing transformations at UCU. She says the value for her money is evident in the quality of services and facilities provided. She is confident that the transformations will further enhance the UCU experience.

Ruth Rebecca Lamo, a first-year student pursuing a Higher Education Certificate in Arts, finds the university “very attractive” and is thrilled to see the renovations and the five-point plan for the next seven years.

“This initiative will make UCU more competitive not only in Uganda, but also in the region,” said Lamo. “I’m looking forward to pursuing my bachelor’s degree here to experience what the university will be like through the initiative.”

Emmanuel Olelema, a final-year student pursuing Bachelor of Education, commends UCU for its well-planned activities: “I like the five-point plan and the fact that they have already started on implementing it, I now have faith there will be no more dust and mud at UCU,” Olelema said.

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Family roots + UCU applied learning = graduation

January 28, 2021COVID-19, News, UCU Alumni#entrepreneurship, #Kapchorwa, #potatoes, #UgandaChristianUniversity, business, Mukono, Uganda, UgandaPartnersPatty Huston-Holm

By Collin Wambete

In addition to sickness and death, the COVID-19 pandemic reaped loss of employment and gaps in education around the world. Youth in Uganda have been discouraged and even more hard pressed to make money, including acquisition of funds to go to school.

Amidst the storm, Cherop Lillian found an answer to her personal situation. That answer – potatoes with an occasional onion, fruit and other edibles – enabled her to graduate on 18th December 2020 with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and Entrepreneurship at Uganda Christian University (UCU) with financial security.

She brought Irish potatoes from her home in Kapchorwa District, which is roughly 266 kilometers (165 miles) away from the UCU campus Mukono District. Starting in February 2020, she set up a retail business 50 meters (164 feet) away from UCU’s main gate. First, raw potatoes, onions and fried potatoes were sold. Ready-to-eat, fresh fruits followed.

Cherop Lillian at her December 2020 graduation from UCU

For Lillian, the lockdown that started in March and the subsequent loss of customers posed a threat to the survival of her business. She’d make fries from potatoes and sell to the students that were on campus. Her target market predominantly being students, the lockdown threw a wrench in her plans.

Who would she sell to? With transportation being shut down for 32 days, what would she sell?

She cut down her usual trade of six-to-seven 100kg (220 pounds) bags of potatoes to two bags. For most of 2020, no one was around to buy ready-to-eat fries. Lockdown measures eventually eased up and UCU, under Standard Operating Procedure guidance from the Ministry of Health, was permitted to let finalists return to campus and complete their studies. These final-year student customers returned on October 15th when UCU re-opened.

Food was the obvious product for sale. History told her so. The earliest business venture she can remember is selling vegetables on her veranda. On holidays, she fried cassava chips in senior six and senior four.

“It is a must for everybody to eat food, so this is a viable business.” She said.

Logistics was part of the survival. Since her produce comes from Kapchorwa, her business depends on the stability of crop prices there. Transport costs shooting up all over the country due to curfew and new road restrictions was an added obstacle.

“I spend 75,000 Uganda shillings ($20.50) to transport five bags of Irish potatoes and this is too high for me,” she said. “I wish I could buy my own van; it could be much cheaper.”

Lillian’s business survived. On January 1, 2021, it was stationed 100 meters (328 feet) from the main UCU gate. Most days, she was at her stall by 7 a.m. She employed five staff. In addition to potatoes, sometimes they sell homemade passion juice.

“At my age (24) I am trying as much as possible to find my destiny, and the mistakes I make today become very big lessons to me especially in business,” she said. “I do not ask for money from people and my parents are glad that as a girl child, I am independent and able to cater for my basic needs”

She advised fellow youth to venture into business, have self-drive, and aim at growing business instead of focusing on profits at the beginning. These skills, she acknowledged, were largely learned in her program of study at UCU.

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Former UCU Guild President publishes book on youth and leadership

January 11, 2021News, UCU Alumni#book, #CourageUnderFire, #Guild, #Leadership, #PriscaAmongin, #UgandaChristianUniversity, business, Uganda, UgandaPartnersPatty Huston-Holm

Prisca Amongin (center) and friends at the launch of her book in December 2020.

By John Semakula

Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) former Guild President, Prisca Amongin Nangiro, has published a book challenging Christian youth in Africa to aspire to become leaders.

In her book, “Courage Under Fire: Let No One Despise Your Youth,” Amongin observes that the more Christian youth assume leadership positions on the continent, the easier it is for youth voices to be heard.

Prisca Amongin and the current UCU Guild President Kenneth Agaba Amponda during the launch of her book last month.

“We have to find our way into these big rooms to let decisions be taken in our favor,” Amongin writes in the 128-page book. “We need ambassadors, we need vessels.”

She observes that leadership positions give youth an opportunity to fulfill the burdens that are on their hearts.

“Heaven is on the search for men and women who will make a difference in our days,” she writes. “Dear friends, God is counting on us; on you dear reader. Our generation has so many wars against us, which we must fight. We cannot afford to maintain the status quo in politics, in health, academics among others. May the Lord make us restless and separate us for His work…”

Amongin’s book has received endorsement from prominent and influential Ugandans such as the Rt. Rev. Sheldon Mwesigwa, Bishop of Ankole Diocese in Western Uganda, and Lawrence Ssebulime, her former UCU lecturer.

Ssebulime describes the book as “a burning sensation that evokes a positive attitude even in the toughest of challenges.” Bishop Mwesigwa says the book is a “spell binding” story that takes the readers through the scenes and emotions that shaped Amongin’s resolve to engage in youth leadership positions with a desire to transform society.

“With Amongin’s brain power, godliness, down to earth character, social capital and zeal for service, youth will be inspired to exploit their leadership potential, even without adequate resources,” Bishop Mwesigwa writes in his endorsement message. “I unreservedly recommend this book, which illustrates that youth are leaders of today and not tomorrow.”

Amongin, who became the first directly elected UCU female guild President in 2016 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance and Accounting in 2018, started writing her book in March 2020 when the Ugandan government imposed a countrywide lockdown to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Amongin says it is good to always look at the silver lining in every looming cloud.

“Who knew the COVID-19 pandemic season would finally birth the hours I needed to put into this book to get it started?” she asked rhetorically during the launch of the book on December 27, 2020, in Kampala.

Prisca Amongin (in black) and her older sister, Filda Nangiro Loyok, at the launch of her book last month.

“I wanted to invite us on a journey to think together on why we are here in this world . . . To find ways for us to contribute and participate to resolve some of the issues in our immediate communities, especially as leaders and as the young people of our generation.”

Amongin who is currently contesting for the Female Youth National Parliamentary seat in Uganda, says that if elected, she wants to use that office to coordinate programs for youth development.

“I will use whatever there is within my means to advance the desirable change for all the youth,” she wrote. “This shall be made possible through partnership, lobbying and advocacy.”

Amongin’s book advises youth to enter politics with an ideology.

“Rome was not built in one day,” she says. “Each decision we make comprises of a collective approach. As a house is built brick by brick, so our lives are built decision by decision. These decisions have a collective destiny. In order for us to achieve the greater goal, we need the right ideology.”

Amongin’s family shaped her love and passion for leadership. Her mother, Eunice Lochoro Nangiro, served as a teacher before joining the National Resistance Council in the early 1990s to represent the people of Kotido District in northern Uganda. Her father, Simon Apollo Nangiro, taught her and her other siblings how to face life by ensuring they had experience with the family business in Moroto town.

“Through that experience we learnt people skills and staff management,” Amongin says. “He also taught us all how to stand up for what we believed in and work hard.”

Amongin, 28, comes from Natumkasikou village, Rupa Sub County, Moroto District in the Karamoja region, which is one of the poorest and least developed in Uganda. She urges youth not to let their humble backgrounds to stop them from scaling higher heights in life.

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UCU among Africa-European Partners working toward renewable energy enhancement

December 17, 2020News#COVID19, #DALILA, #Lockdown #Uganda, #renewable energy, #Tanzania, #technology, #UgandaChristianUniversity, business, UCU, UCUPartnersPatty Huston-Holm

Renewable energy partners pose at early 2020 meeting in Tanzania

By Godfrey Sempungu
Associate Dean, Faculty of Business and Administration

Many a man who has walked on the African soil has tasted its unlimited endowment of God-given resources – the sun, wind and water, to mention a few. In Africa, it is said that nature warmly smiles down on every soul almost every day. The continent is laden with an abundance of mildly tapped renewable energy and business-creating opportunities. Bubbling within this unearthed investment potential are many young adults who for one reason or another have not focused on the abilities within their reach. Youth who both finished school and didn’t are under utilized.

Amidst this scenario of mixed opportunity and unearthed creativity, the DALILA project was crafted. (See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO-CT3rsE0c)

The Swahili origin of DALILA means delicate and gentle. In 2020 and connected to Uganda Christian University (UCU), it refers to the Development of Academic Curricula on Sustainable Energies and Green Economy in Africa. It’s a capacity-building project funded by the Education, Audio-Visual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) of the European Union. The main objective is to establish six new courses on “Renewable Technologies” and “Green Business creation and development” in two universities in Tanzania and two in Uganda.

The article’s author, Godfrey Sempungu, at left, in Zanzibar

UCU and three other African universities – Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) and Tanzania’s University of Dodoma (UDOM) and State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) – are engaged in the venture. Partners outside Africa are Sapienza University of Rome in Italy; the University of Cadiz in Spain and professional agencies such as Sahara ventures in Tanzania, Asud in Italy and a renewable energy organization called INOMA Renovables in Spain.

Despite the COVID-19 education restrictions, the three-year project is moving ahead with expected completion by January of 2023. The current, first year has involved planning for delivery that would hopefully include both in-person and virtual programming, pending approval by the National Council for Higher Education.

The 99,993,700 Euros ($117.8 million American) grant is targeted specifically to fill gaps through higher education in developing countries like Uganda. The multi-disciplinary approach and collaborative synergy of experts with the DALILA project focuses on transferring of theory and contemporary practical skills and experiences to renewable energy entrepreneurial opportunities for youth.

The six university consortium Euro grant includes an equipment purchase provision that will enable green energy laboratories to be established at UCU, four students (includes one doctoral student doing research related to green business and/or renewable energy technology) to be chosen for one-month European internships and training of facilitators in Europe. In the green labs, students and faculty shall work on traditional and novel solutions for both renewable energy and entrepreneurial ventures.

The ultimate goal is increasing Ugandan capacity to harness renewable energy. Other results include filling a critical skills gap, enhancing capacity as academic staff who are participating collaboratively in the development and delivery of the modules, building a new network for collaboration with global partners, improved collaboration with renewable energy stakeholders, increased applied research in renewable energy, and multidisciplinary links between industry and academia.

At UCU, the early benefit is an interdisciplinary partnership between the faculties in engineering and business. This collaboration includes the creation of new postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Business and Renewable Energy Technologies. The courses leading to this credential will involve on-line learning and practical green lab sessions.

While Uganda relies heavily on renewable energy for supply of her energy needs at a macro level, the same energy remains underexploited at a micro level. The cost of the national hydroelectric power grid is prohibitive to small, medium and starting businesses. To these, the sun, wind and micro system hydro endowments remain virgin territory. The two-faculty collaboration through DALILA is expected to continue building in the areas of research connected to renewable energy to further fill this gap.

For more information, go to www.dalilaproject.eu/

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UCU starts Postgraduate diploma in renewable energies with support from EU

December 15, 2020News#Aaron Mushengyezi, #DALILA, #EU, #green, #John Kitayimbwa, #Martin Lwanga, #renewable energy, #Rome, #Spain, #technology, #UgandaChristianUniversity, business, UCU, UCUPartners, UgandaPatty Huston-Holm

UCU Vice-Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi inspects some of the merchandise produced by students under the Faculty of Business and Administration during the recent launch of the Business Incubation Centre. (Courtesy Photo)

By John Semakula

Uganda Christian University (UCU) will in May 2021 rollout a new post-graduate diploma in Sustainable Business and Renewable Energy.

According to the UCU Faculty of Business and Administration, the course sponsored by DALILA was cleared by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) in August.

DALILA is a capacity-building project funded by the Education, Audio-visual and Culture Executive Agency of the European Union.

DALILA stands for Development, Academic Curricula on Sustainable Africa-Project.

The Associate Dean of the UCU Faculty of Business and Administration, Godfrey Sempungu, revealed that six new courses on “Renewable Technologies and Green Business Creation and Development” have been designed for the new program in line with the sponsorship agreement.

The courses are: Energy and Sustainable Development; Renewable Energy Technologies and Decentralization of Electricity; Energy Efficiency and Storage Application; Business and Financial Models of Renewable Energy; Renewable Energy Financing and Modeling; and Renewable Energy Enterprise Management Support to Business and Enterprise.

Sempungu said the program will offer renewable energy startup and entrepreneurship opportunities to UCU graduate students, alumni, staff, community and other key stakeholders such as those in the Church of Uganda Dioceses of Mukono and Kampala.

The program is a product of a sh5bn (Euro 1,123,790 or $1.3 million American) grant, which the Faculty won recently as part of an international nine-partner consortium.

A similar project is also implemented in four other universities in Uganda and Tanzania. The other three are Uganda Martyrs University, the State University of Zanzibar and University of Dodoma.

Sempungu said the post-graduate diploma will be taught for two semesters and that students will be expected to take classes both online and face-to-face on campus.

He said: “The courses are intended to facilitate students’ transition to work and to promote the use of innovative business technologies. Green university laboratories will provide vocational training for renewable energy and adaptation of technologies to local context plus boosting students employability.”

According to the Faculty, the program will be facilitated by lecturers from UCU and other partner institutions in Spain and Italy and that the best four students will have a chance to travel and conduct their internship in European companies for a month.

The other partner higher education institutions are the University of Cadiz in Spain and Sapienza University of Rome – both providing expertise to inform the project.

According to the terms of the grant, UCU also shall furnish a renewable energy laboratory for training of students in the recent trends in the field and to allow them many hours of practice under the guidance of experts.

To avail stakeholders with the necessary information about the project, the UCU Faculty of Business and Administration, in conjunction with its implementing partner the Faculty of Engineering, held an online DALILA Information Day on December 10.

Speaking during the event, the Faculty’s Dean Dr. Martin Lwanga said the project is helping to fulfill UCU’s mission of sending out job creators – not seekers – to the market.

“This is an exciting time,” he said. “Over 100 proposals were submitted from all over the world and UCU emerged among the winners.”

In his remarks, the deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. John Kitayimbwa, said the program was well thought out because it supports Uganda’s development goals under Vision 2040. The National Vision is intended to transform Uganda from a peasant to a modern and prosperous country within 30 years through strengthening fundamental infrastructure, including energy.

Kitayimbwa noted that the four main components of the program – partnership, practical based education, emphasis on environmental sustainability, and renewable energy – make the program unique and outstanding. “We therefore need to raise more awareness about the program because we need more people on board when we finally roll it out,” he said.

Dr. Miria Anguyo from the UCU Faculty of Engineering said the post-graduate diploma will be able to produce graduates who will provide solutions in renewable energy.

Meanwhile, Prof. Cipri Katiuscia, the project’s international coordinator from Italy, said she was glad to be part of the project that seeks to create employment opportunities for Africa’s young people and particularly in the green economy sector.

“We need to give support to the young people in Africa who support their countries’ young economies,” she said.

Marianna Stori, a member from one of the partner organizations of DALILA, took the members through the dangers of climate change in Africa and globally including flooding, landslides, heat waves, loss of biodiversity and desertification and urged participants to embrace the new measures to contain climate change.

This is one of the grants the UCU Faculty of Business and Administration has won lately in a bid to boost its academic training for students. The Faculty also recently won a sh230m (51,700.4 Eur or $62,611 American) grant to develop a short course in promoting bird tourism. The course will be incorporated in Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism.

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Life lesson through roosters

July 15, 2020News#chickens, #contextual, #entrepreneurship, #MartinLwanga, #realworldlearning, #roosters, #UgandaChristianUniversity, business, UgandaPartnersPatty Huston-Holm

Uganda Christian University Dean of Business and Administration, Dr. Martin Lwanga, right, discusses education with Columbus (Ohio USA) State Community College President, Dr. David Harrison, in 2019. Both leaders believe strongly in teaching higher education in the context of the real world.

By Dr. Martin M. Lwanga

One day for an occasion I don’t recall in all detail, Dad’s deep voice boomed through the corridors of our Kampala, Uganda, neighborhood house. He wanted something. He commanded my brothers and me to chase a rooster for a meal. I think it was meant for a visitor but it could have been some big event coming up like Easter or Christmas. Not sure now but then and without waste, we set off for the kill.

Roosters are programmed to sense danger. As little chicks they grow up in the wings of their mothers. I was maybe seven years old, but still recall this hen that had a dozen chicks. Proud of her brood, the hen was constantly on the look out as she furrowed the ground.

We had quite a number of domesticated fowls at our place. Early in the morning the bolts would be released from their evening shelter, and off they would jump from the poles where they rested. After stretching they would start slowly picking up crumbs around the house and gradually move on.

Rarely would they be seen in the day. In the late evenings the troop would return, one by one, sometimes in pairs, but they all made it back, tummies filled, for the nights rest.

Once an old friend of Dad came from the village with a gift of a rooster. After the friend left, the rooster was added to the rest of the chickens who were already a tight knit group. Things didn’t go well that night. In the camp, there was already a big red rooster. Looks like he had fathered all the chicks in the stead. Big Papa didn’t like being upstaged. And here was a new kid on the block.

A terrible fight broke out. Although seemingly timid, when roosters start fighting, they will fight their souls out. In the end, we just slaughtered off the visitor and left Big Papa rooster to his territory.

So here was Dad telling us to chase and slaughter him, too! Chasing a rooster for a meal would tax even Usain Bolt, the famed Jamaican runner. Agile, the rooster led us around, here and there, flew up, danced, elbowed, ditched us, teased, dusted us off, until he ran out of steam and, my brother, who was hiding behind a pole, nabbed him.

The rebel was brought to the slaughterhouse and dumped on some banana leaves. All hands started plucking feathers off his neck. Once his neck was clean-shaven my elder brother handed me a knife to slice it off. What??! I shook my head. I was timid, and killing things did not bode well with me.

Quickly, my brother sliced off the neck without missing a beat. I looked on with tortured awe. I hated being a coward and knew next time I had to prove myself. The meal later was sumptuous.

You can learn a lot from such things. When the Europeans came to Uganda, they brought to us an institutionalized education with its pecking classroom order. There, as we discovered, you read about roosters in books, and soon after we were made to memorize answers for grades. No life experience.

However, long before in our societies, kids picked up lessons of life from the lives around them and chores tasked within those lives.

Going to the well was one such chore I saw back in the village. There was this spring well in my mother’s village; it was kept tidy by all. All kids walked down to the well. We came back gingerly holding to a bucket with a pot on the head, swinging a jerry can.

Sometimes you would play too hard at the well; by the time you got home, the parents were angry, and then got you a few fine lashes. Time keeping did not start yesterday.

In such an economy, you got to know the value of water as a scarce commodity. You also got to know about teamwork for you could not get everything all done by yourself. Cooperation with others was an essential way of life.

Back in the days, there was no clock for roosters who would wake up the entire household. Much as they seem to have tiny little heads, roosters never got lost in the neighborhood and always found their way safely back home. Interesting though was that not one hungry neighbor would nab what was not his for a secret meal. There was a communal fraternity that respected and defended individual property rights.

UCU students demonstrating product they created as part of their entrepreneurship studies.

Our society has progressed, so to say, to a point where an average urban middle class kid might wonder how a chicken gets to his plate, since it comes already dressed from the downtown supermarket. He will not have seen the economy of these birds and how knowledge is not limited to only humans. He will be so full of himself, as expected.

He won’t learn the art of grasping a knife and slicing off the head of a chicken for a meal, which in his new world borders on animal cruelty. The things that run life have all been carved out for him, like running water in a house, being ferried to school, all chores removed from him.

But in this protected life he is also missing out on the real life out there, messy and sometimes ugly as real life is. Sooner or later, he will come face to face with that life. Perhaps our old way of upkeep – of learning by doing as young children – was not that bad.

(Dr. Martin M. Lwanga is Dean for the Uganda Christian University Faculty of Business and Administration, which stepped up its use of real-world learning in the curriculum in recent years – an education strategy promoted even more in discussions during the Uganda COVID-19 lockdown.)

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Reaching out to alleviate Uganda corn dust breathing problems

September 18, 2019Newsasthma, business, community outreach, corn, human resources, Office of Prime Minister, pulmonary, Uganda Christian UniversityPatty Huston-Holm

A Mukono maize factory worker, covered in white dust, sorts through ears of corn.(UCU Partners photo)

By Patty Huston-Holm

Beyond clothing and electronic shops, banks and markets and across from a Kaptura Road taxi park – just a 15-minute walk or 3-minute boda ride from the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono main gate – men and women are manufacturing maize products. White dust from harvesting, drying, handling, processing and storing grain fills the air, covering worker hands and faces and entering their lungs. Often, the simple act of breathing is a struggle.

These Mukono milling employees are among one billion people worldwide with respiratory conditions. According to the World Health Organization (February 2019), diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and pulmonary hypertension are more common in low-income countries like Uganda. When people need money for basic necessities and to keep a factory afloat, they focus less on health awareness and workplace precautions – to the detriment of their personal well-being. The dust they inhale contains bacteria, fungal spores, insects and insect debris and pesticide residue.

Annet Musinguzi, assistant commissioner of human resources in the Uganda Office of the Prime Minister, demonstrates a health and safety procedure with a Uganda Christian University student during a Mukono community outreach project.

UCU’s Business and Administration programs, namely staff and students in human resources studies, embraced the issue in the first of annual planned community outreaches in June of 2019. In addition to outreach to choose and research the issue, a day of local maize-flour, heath and safety activities were conducted to take UCU student learning and faculty teaching deeper into the surrounding community.

“We saw people working in the community mills and not protecting themselves,” said David Kibuuka, a Business and Administration lecturer who coordinated the effort. “They weren’t covering their noses and didn’t know why they should.”

The UCU Business and Administration faculty members, in collaboration with local, municipal and district council and national officials, determined they wanted to do a better job with sharing university knowledge for improvement of the community around them and to reinforce Christian principles of servanthood. The milling engagement is one example of how the department should better “penetrate our potential,” Kibuuka said.

What took place in June of 2019 was this:

Relevance – That nearly every Ugandan household uses maize flour made this focus particularly relevant. A USAID report in April 2018 estimated that 92 percent of Ugandan families consume maize four with a per person consumption of 22 kg (48.5 pounds) of maize per year. A doughy posho, which comes from a maize flour product, is an inexpensive and frequent food, especially in schools.

Collaboration – Municipal and district council and national officials were part of the planning and reinforced the country’s regulations as well as concern for worker health and safety. These included Mukono Mayor George Fred Kagimu; Andrew Senyonga, chair of Mukono District Council; Annet Musinguzi, assistant commissioner of human resources in the Office of the Prime Minister of Uganda; and Douglas Nkonge, Principal Inspector General for Safety and Health Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.

Engagement – Nearly 300 UCU students and staff, officials and factory employees participated in skits and conversation about life-altering impacts of pulmonary conditions and solutions for improved heath in the mills.

“We covered laws, risks and remedies,” said Kibuuka, who assembled a 20-page report with happenings, recommendations and photos. “It was the first of what we are calling our larger outreach.”

He noted that the Business and Administration faculty has been engaged in “entrepreneurship fairs” for the past few years. These involve student development of products and services in such areas as cleaning products, jam, beauty products and paper bags.

“This outreach went deeper to embrace a community problem and being part of the solution,” he said. “In addition to reaching out to our local residents, our students benefit from seeing how theory is put into practice in a humanitarian way.”

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

UCU Partners scholarship awardee straddles aspirations in science and business

November 25, 2018Scholarship, Science and Technologybusiness, Chemistry, Scholarships, Science, Uganda Christian University, Uganda PartnersPatty Huston-Holm

By Patty Huston-Holm

On paper, Matende Wilson Paul is a Uganda Christian University (UCU) business student. He has a diploma and is working on a bachelor’s degree.

In his head, “I’m a scientist,” he said. In between studies, Wilson Paul, as he prefers to be called, teaches chemistry at his alma mater, Vision High School, Nakifuma (Mukono District).

It’s a strange combination – one that he admits with uncertainty about where it will take him. For now, however, he has written a chemistry book (the science part) and is selling it (the business part). It’s called “D1-I Must Pass Chemistry.” (The D1 is a protein with many functions and interactions.) His book has been reviewed and verified as accurate and valuable by academic teachers of science and chemistry. As of autumn 2018, he sold 70 copies at 15,000 shillings ($4) each.

“I don’t care about making money,” Wilson Paul, age 22, said. “I just want to help students get through chemistry easier than I did.”

In truth, chemistry came easy for Wilson Paul despite no chemistry teacher or class when he was at Vision High School. He and eight classmates formed a class. They studied without books and lab equipment. Despite their passion and learning, they knew the lack of a formally approved curriculum and deficient experimentation tools would cripple them when applying for entrance into related university programs.

“I have no paper to say what I know,” he said.

And like many students, funding to continue education was a barrier. Born to teenage parents who eventually separated, Wilson Paul was raised by his grandmother, going to primary school behind Mukono’s Colline Hotel.

He “felt like a failure” until he met Mary Chowenhill, a Florida resident living and teaching entrepreneurship at UCU. Together, they started teaching Sunday School in 2013, including one trip to western Uganda’s Masindi village to guide 400 children. They lost touch. Then, two years ago, they reunited with Mary’s proposal that Wilson Paul study business at her sponsorship. It happened through UCU Partners.

“It was like bringing me back from the dead,” Wilson Paul said. “I can’t tell her how much that meant to me or how much she means to me now.”

While Wilson Paul is uncertain about his future after finishing at UCU, he knows he will have one foot in science and one in business.

“I want to do both,” he said. “Mary reminds me that God has a purpose for everything and everybody, including me. I’ll keep searching.”

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