Samantha receiving the civil society award in Dubai
By Pauline Luba Freza Nanotech, an invention that could be a game changer for Uganda’s small-scale farmers, has won an innovation award of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome for pioneering fruit preservation technology. The innovation also won the prestigious Civil Society Award at the 2024 Dubai Solutions Summit.
The awards recognize the company’s innovative fruit shelving technology that leverages nanotechnology to combat post-harvest losses. In a world struggling with food security challenges, the innovation, which preserves fruits and vegetables by releasing a safe organic formulation extending shelf life by 30 days, offers hope and demonstrates the power of homegrown solutions.
Gift Arnold Mugisha, the Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of Freza Nanotech, highlighted the significance of the recognition: “This award not only acknowledges our commitment, but also symbolizes how innovative technological solutions can address global challenges, especially in food security and sustainability.”
The innovation that took Mugisha and his co-founder, Samantha Ainembabazi, two years to develop extends the freshness of fruits and vegetables, allowing farmers to access better markets and reduce waste.
Mugisha receiving the FAO award
The Prototypes for Humanity; Dubai Future Solutions is renowned for showcasing transformative innovations designed to advance sustainable development worldwide. For Freza Nanotech, clinching the Civil Society Award validates their work and opens up opportunities to scale their innovation to more farmers and markets globally. Their fruit shelving technology has already reached over 150 farmers in Uganda, with tangible results in reducing waste and increasing profitability.
“This recognition is a testament to the difference our technology is making,” said Ainembabazi, a fresh UCU graduate of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. She is aspiring to start a medical internship, a mandatory requirement, for all medical graduates in Uganda before they dive into practice.
“We are thrilled that our efforts to empower farmers and improve food security are being celebrated on such a global platform,” Ainembabazi noted.
Freza Nanotech’s core mission stems from addressing the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Uganda, where agriculture employs over 70% of the population, but suffers from significant post-harvest losses.
By preserving produce, Freza Nanotech’s technology contributes to reducing the environmental burden of food loss while supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, including those on hunger, economic growth, and climate action.
“Efforts like these demonstrate that agrifood systems can be both productive and sustainable, contributing to better nutrition and improved livelihoods in Uganda and beyond,” said QU Dongyu, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), during the awards ceremony that took place last month at FAO’s headquarters in Rome, on the sidelines of the 176th session of the FAO council.
Freza Nanotech’s journey to the summit was not without challenges, as they competed against some of the most innovative solutions globally. Their triumph is a testament to the resilience and vision of the team, whose work is now sparking interest from investors, development agencies, and innovators alike.
Backed by their recent recognition, the company aims to expand its reach and adapt the technology for other agricultural products. For Uganda, this milestone inspires future innovators to tackle pressing challenges with bold, creative solutions.
Freza Nanotech’s success is more than just a win for the startup — it’s a victory for Ugandan innovation and a step toward a future where local solutions address global issues.
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.
Bishop Zoreka and his wife handing over a bible to President Museveni
Dan Zoreka was the secondBishop of Kinkiizi Anglican Diocese, in southwestern Uganda. He hasbeen the prelate of the diocese for the past 14 years. Recently, our writer, Kefa Senoga, travelled to the diocese and had a chat with the alumnus of Uganda Christian University.
Bishop Dan Zoreka of Kinkiizi Anglican Diocese in Uganda never expected to serve the Lord as a cleric. Throughout his childhood, he admired doctors and wanted to be one. However, financial challenges forced him to change career direction.
In 1977, Zoreka sat his Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), where he earned a First Grade, and an admission into Mbarara High School. However, he could not afford the school fees. He thus had to repeat Primary Seven as he looked for money for his tuition in Senior One. At the time, one was not eligible for admission into Senior One using results more than a year old.
The following year, Zoreka again passed his PLE exams, earning admission into Nyakasura School. Again, he failed to join the school because of lack of tuition.
Zoreka had been paying his own school fees from Primary Three. He says his father was a polygamous man with six wives, so he could not afford fees for all his children.
“I used to vend banana fiber every Friday. I would sell them to the butchers. It is from that money that I would pay my school fees,” Zoreka explained during an interview he granted Uganda Partners at his diocese in southwestern Uganda.
As a result of the failure to meet the financial requirements for secondary school study, he said he even considered giving up on education.
Bishop Zoreka and his wife
“But in 1979, I decided to repeat for the third time. That’s when my class teacher advised me to opt for teacher training colleges, which offered free education.”
He thus enrolled at St. Augustine’s Teacher Training College in western Ugandato pursue a teaching certificate course. For the four yearshe studied the course, he returned home only once. Despite studying the course on a bursary, Zoreka needed extra money for upkeep. He thus did menial jobs at the school, and in the community, from which he earned a wage.
“I did work such as cleaning the school compound and harvesting tea in the community; I was a well-known casual laborer in the area.”
After completing his course, Zoreka was employed by the government of Uganda in 1985 as a teacher, but he spent a year without receiving salary. That was the time the country was facing civil strife; hence many public servants were not receiving their salaries.
In 1986, Zoreka was tempted to switch professions. The government was recruiting soldiers, so Zoreka applied to train as one.
“I registered my name and we were instructed to return the next morning at 6:00 a.m. to be transported to another district where the training was to take place. Unfortunately, I drank too much alcohol that night and overslept. By the time I woke up, the team had already left,” he recalls.
In 1987, Bishop Zoreka made another attempt to join the security forces, this time the Uganda Police. However, after presenting his academic certificates, the recruiting officer informed him that the government needed teachers more, so they couldn’t allow him to join the Police.
Still, Zoreka left teaching and started to work as a lumberjack, a job he did for a year, before returning to teaching.
In 1989, when a call for lay readers was announced in their diocese, Zoreka’s mother, a staunch Christian, pressured him to enroll for the course. Though it was against his wishes, he did it to honor his mother’s desire. A lay reader is a person licensed by a bishop to conduct religious services other than the Eucharist.
“I felt like there was no life in the church at the time. I enjoyed nights of dancing, discos, and drinking alcohol,” Zoreka says.
“Even as I sat the interview, I had three cigarettes in my pockets; just the night before, I had spent the evening at the bar drinking. I arrived at the interview with a hangover. If I had been thoroughly checked, probably I would have been disqualified.”
And even after admission, his bad habits followed him. “We would sneak out of the dormitory during our training, to look for alcohol in a nearby town. It was only by God’s grace that we were not caught.”
Bishop Zoreka with the writer, Kefa Senoga
In 1990, Zoreka gave his life to Christ, completely turning his back to smoking and drinking alcohol. He thus became a deacon in 1998 and a priest in 1999.
Upon being ordained a deacon, Zoreka was posted to the cathedral/diocesan headquarters as a curate. Following his priesting in 1999, the bishop at the time, John Ntegyerize, assigned him to the Nyarugunda Parish in Kinkiizi diocese, southwestern Uganda, where he served for one year as the parish priest. It was during his time there that he met Florah Arinaitwe, whom he married the following year.
“We got married on Wednesday August 30, and I reported to UCU to pursue a degree course the following week, on Monday, with my wife.”
At UCU, there was a designated area for married theology students. Unfortunately, when he arrived, all the houses were already occupied.
As a result, Zoreka and his wife occupied the garage of the Rev. Prof Olivia Nasaka Bbanja, who was a lecturer at the Bishop Tucker Theological College at the time. Banja is now the Vice Chancellor of Ndejje University. The garage was the couple’s honeymoon venue, after which Florah returned to their home in Kanungu.
Zoreka served the church in various capacities, eventually being elected the secondBishop of Kinkiizi Anglican Diocese in 2015. He hopes to retire from active service in two years. Anglican bishops in Uganda retire from service when they clock 65 years.
As a bishop, Zoreka has earned a reputation as a developmental leader. The Rev. Bob Mbabazi, the head of communications at Kinkiizi Diocese, said the bishop has focused on building and enhancing infrastructure for various church projects, such as the clergy residence, schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings, including one in Kampala city.
According to Mbabazi, the bishop has lobbied for partnerships with various stakeholders, including Compassion International, which has established six child development centers across the diocese, all overseen by the church.
Florah and Zoreka have four children — the firstborn, is pursuing a degree course at UCU and the second born, is in secondary school at Mengo SS. The third born, is in Primary Four while the youngest, is in Primary Three, at Kabale Primary School.
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.
By Kefa Senoga What does it mean to apply for university education in the USA? What processes are involved in the application? These and more are some of the questions that Tom Deans, a Professor of English and the Director of the Writing Centre of the University of Connecticut (UConn), had to answer recently as he addressed students, staff, and alumni of Uganda Christian University (UCU).
The late November talk, delivered in the Principal’s Hall at the Main Campus was intended to guide possible applicants for particularly US scholarships on how to navigate the systems and procedures.
Prof Tom Deans with the UCU community that attended his session
According to Deans, applying for an undergraduate degree in the U.S. is relatively straightforward, as there is typically a single set of admission requirements. In contrast, graduate applications can be more complex because students usually apply directly to departments or schools within a university, depending on the program’s structure.
“Even within the same institution, admissions and funding processes may differ by department or school at the graduate level,” he said during that talk that was organized by the UCU Writing Centre.
The writing center, opened on October 20, 2022, was set up under the guidance of Deans, who was a Fulbright U.S. Scholar to Uganda at the time, on a teaching and research award. The center was set up to help students improve their writing skills.
Undergraduate applicants, Deans explained, generally follow a uniform process: They complete the same application form, submit their high school transcripts, write a general essay, and take standardized tests, regardless of their intended field of study. In contrast, graduate programs often have unique requirements for each department or school. This means applicants must customize their application to align with the specific expectations and criteria of their chosen program.
Using the example of applying for graduate studies in law and medicine at most universities in the U.S., Deans noted that one uses the standard process articulated on the webpage of the schools or departments that they are applying to.
He, however, explained that when applying for programs in the category of sciences or engineering, the process often involves identifying a lab or professor whose research aligns with the interests of the applicants.
“You would reach out to them for potential sponsorship, and admission to the program typically depends on securing their approval and support.”
He further explained that in many graduate programs for sciences and engineering, especially for research degrees like Ph.D., students don’t just apply to the university, they need to find a professor (often called a principal investigator) who will supervise their work and possibly fund their research through grants. Professors often run labs and have specific research projects, so they look for students whose skills and interests match their needs.
Many departments in USA universities have people who are in charge of graduate studies. Such people are often an invaluable point of contact for guidance during the application process.
“You can email or set up a Zoom call with them and they will respond because it’s their job to respond,” Deans said.
For graduate students, the admissions process often coincides with applying for funding. “When submitting your application, look for an option to indicate your interest in funding; selecting this option allows you to be considered for opportunities, such as a graduate assistantship, teaching assistantship, or, in some institutions, a fellowship,” Deans said.
Graduate Assistantship is a type of financial and professional support offered to graduate students, typically in exchange for part-time work at a university while Teaching Assistantship is a role offered to graduate students and sometimes upper-level undergraduates in which they assist faculty members with teaching-related responsibilities.
According to Deans, securing external funding can significantly improve an applicant’s chances of being accepted by institutions. Opportunities like the Fulbright Program scholarship, while highly competitive and with strict eligibility criteria, are excellent options. If awarded, such opportunities provide generous funding, making American universities more likely to offer admission since one comes in with financial support.
However, he advocates consulting with key stakeholders, such as alumni, professors, and other academic professionals, as they can provide valuable insights and guidance throughout the application process.
On why there are more funding opportunities for PhD programs than for master’s, Deans said: “Ph.D. programs help universities build their reputation, and these institutions assume that people may struggle to afford Ph.D. programs, whereas many can afford the cost of a master’s program.”
Richard Ranger, a missionary lecturer in Business and Law at Uganda Christian University (UCU) and an alumnus of Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, emphasized during the session that university and departmental websites serve as crucial sources of authentic information. He highlighted the importance of utilizing them because they are more reliable and are updated.
Lwanga Huzaifa, a former student of UCU, acknowledged that graduate studies can be quite costly, making the opportunity to study on a scholarship highly desirable for him.
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.
By Pauline Luba The General Medical Council (GMC) of the United Kingdom has officially recognized the Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) of Uganda Christian University. The development, which follows a comprehensive assessment and evaluation process, paves the way for the institution’s medical graduates to pursue further careers in the UK and beyond, without many hurdles. The news of the recognition came to light in November 2024.
In addition to regulating medical education and healthcare professionals, GMC also oversees the medical register and ensures that doctors possess the training, the expertise and the experience needed to practice safely and effectively.
The certification means that graduates of UCU can now sit for the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) exams, a mandatory gateway for international doctors hoping to practice in the UK. The PLAB test is a requirement for doctors from outside of the UK, EU, and Switzerland. The test is intended to ensure that the student has the same clinical knowledge and skills as a UK doctor starting their second year of the Foundation Programme.
Last year, Uganda Christian University (UCU) celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of the pioneer students of its School of Medicine. The students were drawn from the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, and Bachelor of Dental Surgery.
Dr. Gerald Tumusiime, the Dean of the UCU School of Medicine, said graduates from the UCU School of Medicine who wish to practice in the UK can now take the required exams. And that when they pass the exams, they are eligible to receive a permit to practice medicine.
According to Tumusiime, PLAB examinations are separated into two parts: a written exam that tests medical knowledge with multiple-choice questions, and a practical exam that evaluates a candidate’s clinical skills and the ability to interact with patients in simulated situations. He points out that both tests cover basic sciences and clinical sciences.
Before an institution is accredited by the GMC, an evaluation process is carried out to determine its eligibility. “When they assessed our curriculum, they found that it meets the requirements for accreditation,” Tumusiime explained.
He noted that the GMC also places emphasis on clock hours, which refers to the required time students must dedicate to each course unit or subject. “The fact that we meet the recommended hours confirms that we give students enough content matter for the course.”
Dr. Tumusiime further explains that they also evaluate students’ exposure to patients, to assess and understand their experience with patients.
Sharon Pearl Kisaakye, one of the students in the UCU School of Medicine, said: “For someone like me who dreams of gaining international experience in medicine, the accreditation opens doors to a world of opportunities for training and employment in some of the best healthcare systems.”
Joseph Kali, a student in the School of Medicine, said: “This accreditation broadens the scope of learning, allowing our students to engage with world leaders in medicine. It also gives them the tools to return and implement new perspectives, attract grants, and contribute to Uganda’s healthcare system.”
UCU is currently also undergoing evaluation by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates of the United States. Certification will allow UCU graduates to sit for the United States Medical Licensing Examinations, and those who pass may have the opportunity to practice in the USA.
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.
The Chairperson of the Council of UCU Mbale University College, Rt. Rev. Bishop Samuel George Bogere, presents the Best Student Award to Sharon Evelyne Abeja, during the graduation at Mbale University College. Right is UCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi
By Irene Best Nyapendi By eight years, Sharon Evelyne Abeja was already living a life of a responsible adult. At that age, she was aware that she had to wake up early enough to prepare her younger brother for school, as well as prepare porridge for her three-month-old sister. All this was in addition to preparing herself for school.
As Abeja and her younger brother headed to the school, they would leave their three-month-old baby with their neighbor. At lunchtime, Abeja had to take her younger brother home and prepare a meal for him, before rushing back to school. At that time, her mother had been taken ill and her father was at work.
And Abeja’s classmates, having discovered her challenges, did not spare her from words of scorn: “Look, there goes the daughter of the mad woman,” her classmates often mocked her.
Sharon Evelyne Abeja with her awards
Abeja’s mother developed mental illness soon after giving birth to their younger sister. And she has lived with that condition for 15 years. Occasionally, her condition improves, especially if she adheres to the medication prescribed for her. For the times when she does not, she relapses. And because of that, Abeja has carried the burden of being a mother to her mother, as well as the rest of her siblings. It is not uncommon to find Abeja moving with her mother to hospital.
The condition of Abeja’s mother worsened in 2019 when their father married another wife. Seeing her mother go through life’s challenges because of her medical condition, Abeja said when she completed Senior Six, she had only one course in mind at the university – social work. That explains her choice of Bachelor of Social Work and Social Administration which she pursued at Uganda Christian University (UCU).
That journey at UCU ended on November 29, when Abeja was awarded the Bachelor of Social Work and Social Administration at the UCU Mbale University College. Abeja was also announced the graduate with the highest marks. According to Abeja, she knew she was a high performer, and she also knew she had earned a First Class degree. However, what she could not have imagined was that her marks — a Grade Point Average of 4.71 out of 5.0 — were the best among the people graduating that day.
According to Abeja, her determination and the discipline in managing time helped her succeed. She had a routine that allowed her to balance her studies with other extra-curricular activities that were conducted in the university.
When Abeja chose to study at UCU, she purposed to not only benefit from studies, but also the strong Christian foundation in which the institution is rooted. However, she says getting acclimated to the university environment was tough. For instance, she says when she arrived at the university, she soon discovered the social gulf that existed between her and the rest of the students. Abeja said she reported to university with old clothes and only one pair of shoes. Because of that, she says, she often felt out of place. However, she repeatedly consoled herself: “One day, I will wear something new.”
After her first year at UCU, her father’s job contract ended, leaving the family without an income. She thus had to take up part-time jobs during holidays, such as farming, working as a shop attendant, and even making snacks to sell to school-going children.
She says she worked so hard but earned so little, which felt overwhelming. But she did not give up. During her first semester in her second year, Abeja discovered a scholarship opportunity at an organization where she was a volunteer. She applied for it and was fortunate enough to get the scholarship.
Throughout her time at UCU, she lived with relatives because she could not afford the hostel fees at the university. Now that she has graduated, Abeja aims to contribute to a more compassionate society and be able to address pressing issues like poverty, inequality, and mental health challenges.
School Abeja attended Kumi Township Primary School before switching to Auruku Ominai Primary School due to her mother’s illness. She then joined Sun City Primary School in Soroti and eventually wrote her Primary Leaving Examinations at Emmanuel Christian Nursery and Primary School. She studied secondary education at Ngora High School, where she joined UCU.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
(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.
“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
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.
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.
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
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cynthia Atim is a final-year student for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Uganda Christian University’s School of Medicine.
(What’s an average day like for a UCU medical school student? This second of a two-part story is designed to provide some insight. Today is focused on a year-five student.)
By Kefa Senoga “Meet me at Roy Billington Ward in the Sir Albert Cook building.”
That is what Cynthia Atim, a final-year student of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) School of Medicine (SoM), told me when I informed her I had arrived at Mengo Hospital. This is where the UCU SoM is based, and I was here to spend a day with Atim, as she goes about her duties as a medical student.
It was a new day, and a new week. The day – Monday October 21, 2024, – was already buzzing with activity. As I made my way to Roy Billington Ward, everything seemed in motion, from the doctors in their white coats and stethoscopes around their necks, to nurses in their white uniforms.
“Today is a major ward round day for internal medicine,” explains Atim, who was wearing a white coat emblazoned with her name and the UCU logo. “What we do is learn from most patients on the ward.”
She says the ward rounds are like learning sessions for them as medical students. It is during the rounds that they work with senior doctors to check on the status of patients and discuss treatment plans.
As we approach the bed of the first patient that Atim is set to clerk, she explains that this moment is about interacting with the patient to collect essential information regarding individual health. It includes asking questions about symptoms, medical history, lifestyle and other relevant details.
“It’s important to gather that information from patients because it helps us understand what led them to seek medical care,” Atim explains. She adds that it also provides insights into the potential illnesses the patient may be experiencing.
For this particular patient, difficulty in breathing and chest pain were what had brought her to the hospital three days ago.
“How many times have you been admitted?” Atim asked the patient. Lying on a blanket spread on the floor was the mother of this young adult patient, who quickly replied, “She’s never been admitted before.”
After the clerking, Atim headed to the nurses’ station to jot down some of her findings.
“It’s better to listen so that you can go back and write,” Atim says, stressing that sometimes there’s a lot of information and so you have to note down, so you can to remember while presenting to the senior doctors when they come.
“Besides, at the end of the day, they also expect a report about the patients,” she notes.
As we make our way to another patient, we pass a hospital caretaker, whom Atim greets warmly: “How is Jajja?” she asks. Jajja is the Luganda word for grandparent. From what I observe, Atim’s relationship with the patients and other people around the hospital community is rooted in respect.
At the next patient’s bedside, we find Marie and Samuel, Atim’s student colleagues, who were clerking the patient. Atim joins them as they attend to this elderly woman experiencing shortness of breath and difficulty in lying flat.
According to Atim, this patient has cancer on the walls of the uterus. However, it has spread to the lungs. The patient is already going through her cycles of chemotherapy.
But the reason for her admission into the hospital is shortness of breath and difficulty lying flat. “She’s here to investigate the cause of her breathing issues, which she hasn’t experienced before, despite her cancer diagnosis,” Atim explains.
About three doctors later join Atim and her colleague to assess this patient. It’s at this moment that Atim and her two colleagues are meant to present their findings to these doctors, which they do, effectively.
Afterward, the same group moves to Atim’s previous patient. Atim presents her findings to the doctors. According to the feedback from the senior doctor leading the team, Atim’s findings have captured the most essential details.
The next session takes place in the intensive care unit, which I’m not allowed to access. However, according to Atim, their interest is a patient who underwent surgery and now requires a physician’s review. Since their facilitator was the one they had called for the review, he took them along, to assess the patient.
I observed that a day is almost nonstop action for a medical student. Atim says that they remain with no choice but to endure the demanding schedules because there is a lot to cover, and they need to acquire the knowledge to be able to practice effectively.
As we make our way to Luke Ward for Atim’s next session, we meet one of Atim’s instructors, who asks her to speak with her classmates to create time for a lecture later that day. She politely explains that their schedule was already crowded, with lectures going late into the evening.
At the Luke Ward, we joined Atim’s other classmates in a session where the case study was a patient with edema. According to Atim, edema refers to the swelling caused by the accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues, which can affect various parts of the body, including the limbs.
Following that session, the facilitator led the class into another round of history-taking, which involved revisiting what they had practiced earlier in the day — gathering patients’ medical backgrounds, symptoms, and other relevant information. Notably, Atim stood out as one of the most active participants in this group of about 15 students, frequently responding to the questions posed by the facilitator.
“History is important. It’s the first thing you do for the patient before you even send them to the laboratory,” Atim told me at the end of the class session. It was now 1.30 p.m and Atim had just 30 minutes for her lunch, before settling in for a lecture at 2 p.m.
As we wrapped up our appointment, Atim shared her passion for surgery, noting that it’s the field she hopes to specialize in.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
“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
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.
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.
Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba of the Church of Uganda introducing Bishop Michael Chorey to the congregation.
By Kefa Senoga Before he was ordained deacon in 2003, Bishop Michael Chorey, the newly consecrated bishop of Karamoja Diocese, was already involved in Christian ministry, serving in different capacities as a missionary and lay reader. During one of his ministry assignments while he was serving at the Church of Uganda Hospital in Amudat district, he was shot and sustained a bullet wound on the left side of his face.
“While we were transporting a patient from Amudat to Moroto, our vehicle was ambushed by an armed group,” said Bishop Chorey, an alum of Uganda Christian University (UCU). “I was shot, and the driver was also shot in the chest. Thankfully, we all survived.”
Bishop Chorey waving at the congregation
The Karamoja region in northeastern Uganda, where Bishop Chorey was born, raised, and served in Christian ministry, has long experienced tensions and rivalries among its ethnic groups.
Conflicts over resources, territory, and historical grievances in the region often escalate into violence and armed cattle raids, given its status as a nomadic pastoralist area. This has led to significant loss of life, particularly due to gun violence. Reports indicate that illegal firearms are commonly smuggled into Karamoja from neighboring countries, such as Kenya and Sudan, due to its proximity to these borders.
Bishop Chorey attributed the ambush to the insecurity and gun violence prevalent in the region at the time. Despite this, he remained undeterred, driven by a vision for Karamoja, where people would love one another, regardless of their ethnic backgrounds. This vision became both his hope and constant prayer.
Bishop Chorey remained steadfast in his clerical journey, never looking back. In 2000, he joined Namugongo Seminary, where he studied for three years and was later appointed chaplain in the Church of Uganda Hospital in Amudat for two years. He was priested in 2005 and made parish priest of Christ Church in Amudat district.
Amudat District, located in the Karamoja region, is home to the Pokot, a minority tribe to which Bishop Chorey belongs. The district borders Kenya, where the Pokot community in Kenya resides on the other side. Historically, the Karimojong and the Pokot people have been traditional and cultural enemies.
Bishop Chorey recounts how difficult it was to preach about love while serving as the parish priest in the Pokot community that harbored deep enmity toward their Karimojong neighbors.
He explains that the raids carried out between the two tribes led to the loss of many loved ones, fueling deep resentment on both sides. When these attacks occurred, thoughts of revenge or counter attacks were often at the forefront. Neither tribe was free from the cycle of bloodshed.
Sections of the congregation at the consecration ceremony
Bishop Chorey notes that nearly everyone in the region owned a gun, and that each month, the church would receive groups of widows, victims of the ongoing violence between the two tribes.
The frequent raids led to a significant loss of life, making it nearly impossible to preach that their rivals, who originated from the same region, were family. The deep-seated resentment and the pain caused by the deaths of their loved ones only fueled this divide.
“Every time we would go to mourn at a home, we planted a seed of the gospel and three of our strong parishes were formed at a time of mourning; we would go and spend a week with the family that has lost its members as we preach, having overnights,” Bishop Chorey said.
He further described the intense atmosphere of that period, particularly for the clergy who continued their ministry work without any form of security. He recalls that at one time, “the government asked Bishop Lomongi whether it could offer escorts to church staff” but that the bishop and the clergy declined.
He adds that the Bishop pardoned clergy members who were unable to attend diocesan meetings, considering the difficulties they encountered as a result of the unrest in the area. He advised, “If we call a diocesan meeting and your spirit or conscience tells you not to travel that day, don’t force yourself.”
Bishop Chorey noted that crosses in memory of murdered Catholic clergy can be found along roads when entering the Karamoja region from Namalu. Locals are known to stop cars and shoot passengers. The Church of Uganda once lost six nurses and a clinical officer in a single day.
Through his work in the church, Bishop Chorey says that he has been able to reach and transform some of the wrong elements, such as cattle rustlers, who have since laid down their guns and become lay readers in the church.
“I have four of my commissioned lay readers who have been warriors and cattle rustlers and these are the guys who are preaching Christ now,” he says.
The Ugandan government also has made efforts to curb gun violence in Karamoja, including disarmament programs and increased security presence.
In 2007, Bishop Chorey joined UCU to pursue a Bachelor of Divinity, completing his studies in 2009. Before finishing his degree, he was assigned to St. Philip’s Cathedral in Moroto.
Bishop Chorey notes that some of his family members were concerned when he was posted to Moroto, where the majority of the people are Karimojong.
He explains that his family feared for his safety, believing that he might be killed because no Pokot had ever worked in Moroto. They were thinking from a traditional perspective of the feud between the Pokot and the Karimojong. However, he says that he spent his time there peacefully and made many good friends.
Bishop Chorey explains that UCU broadened his perspective beyond the narrow view of the Pokot community. As a result, he returned in 2012 to pursue a Master of Arts in Theology and Development. By 2013, before completing his program, he was appointed as Archdeacon back at home in Amudat.
“When I started ministry there, we opened churches from one traditional church that was opened up by the Church Missionary Society to six parishes,” he says.
Bishop Chorey notes that when his predecessor, Bishop Joseph Abura, announced his retirement, he had no thoughts about replacing him due to the fact that Chorey was coming from the minority tribe in the diocese. However he was nominated, winning over his mentor, Rev. Canon Joseph Aleper.
Bishop Chorey has developed a nine-point program plan for the Diocese of Karamoja, designed to address the spiritual, social, and economic needs of the region. The plan prioritizes mission and evangelism as its foremost objective.
“Mission and evangelism will transform the people of Karamoja. When that happens, so much will change in Karamoja and that’s why I put it as the first priority,” he says.
According to Bishop Chorey who grew up as a shepherd in a purely nomadic pastoralist family, his parents did not go to school or church. His father, Mudang Dokongole, has seven wives, including his mother, Cheman Mudang.
His early education at Losam Primary School in Kenya, a church-founded school, introduced him to Christ.
In 1986, after completing his primary education at Konyao Primary School in Kenya, he attended Chewoyet High School, also in Kenya, for his secondary education. He credits his uncle, a government porter to the Assistant District Commissioner, for influencing his father to send him to school in a community where education was not a priority, and the illiteracy rate is today as high as 96%.
Currently, he is in the final stages of completing his Doctor of Philosophy in Theology and Development at UCU.
A significant number of people from Kenya, including members of parliament, senators and the West Pokot Governor, attended the consecration of Bishop Chorey on August 25 in Amudat district. The Vice President of Uganda, Maj. Jessica Alupo, represented President Yoweri Museveni as the chief guest.
Bishop Chorey is married to the Rev. Canon Jane Chorey, with whom he has worked in the Pokot Archdeaconry. They have three children.
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.
Though his mother tried her best to nudge him into an agriculture career, he remained adamant against it. When Seeti stopped thinking of education after completing Senior Six (grade 12 or the senior year in American high schools), and following months of cajoling, the then 19-year-old gave in to his mother’s request.
“We used to visit the farm together,” the now 29-year-old student at Uganda Christian University (UCU) said. “Although I wasn’t initially interested, my mother’s persistence paid off.”
The dairy farm
Born and raised in Kampala, Seeti grew up in a small family with one other sibling. His father, a lawyer and a retired lecturer at Makerere University, separated from his mother during his formative years.
Seeti’s turning point toward agriculture came when his single mother introduced him to the commercial aspects of farming on land that she had bought in the Mukono district. Starting with five cows that were producing 20 liters of milk a day, Seeti’s farm, Maps Premium Fresh Dairy, has grown to 30 cows that produce about 150 liters of milk per day – a testament to Seeti’s hard work and strategic planning.
In addition to the dairy farm, Seeti rears chickens on a commercial scale, practices fish farming and owns donkeys that people hire for labor. From his farm, Seeti earns about sh300,000 ($81.60) per day.
When the farm business bloomed and at his mom’s urging, Seeti returned to school.
Fish farming is part of the farm.
One decade after finishing his secondary education, Seetti is pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work and Social Administration at UCU. At first, Seeti says he was worried that he would neither fit in with the younger students nor understand what is being taught in class. However, he says he soon discovered that that was not the case.
One of the reasons he went back to school, he says, is to improve his academic status to compete for a political office. The minimum qualification for one to compete for the position of Member of Parliament in Uganda is Senior Six certificate.
“Social work and social administration align with my passion for leadership, especially because it has a course unit in political science,” Seeti said.
Managing a dairy farm while pursuing studies is no small feat. Seeti’s day starts at 5 a.m. to oversee the milking process, as well as other morning routines at the farm before heading to the university.
Seeti’s farm has positively impacted people who live near it. He occasionally employs workers to provide labor. There are others who have been inspired, with some setting up their own farms in the neighborhood.
Donkeys at the farm
Currently, Seeti’s focus is on increasing the value of the milk by venturing into the production of cheese, yogurt and ice-cream. He also hopes to improve the breeds of his cows on the farm to give more milk.
Senti’s journey has not been without challenges. The biggest hurdle he has faced was dealing with middlemen who take farmer’s produce at lower prices. He found a solution of establishing contacts with market vendors, so that they could get milk and other products direct from the farm.
At the UCU Main Campus, Seeti says he supplies the Joy Canteen with some of the products from his farm.
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.
Challote Mbabazi on the day she graduated with a master’s degree
By Kefa Senoga (final of four parts – UCU postgraduate focus)
By the time Challote Mbabazi completed her Bachelor of Arts with Education from Uganda Christian University (UCU) in 2020, she had saved up to sh5million ($1,357) from the pocket money her parents gave her during her undergraduate studies.
This savings became her lifesaver for the next two years – especially since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 led to the global closure of operations, including Ugandan schools where Mbabazi would be employed. Those places she planned to teach were shut down until 2022.
Challote Mbabazi
However, as expected, the demand for food did not wane during that two-year period. The natural choice of a business for Mbabazi was setting up a grocery shop, which she did near the UCU Main Campus in Mukono. But when the business expanded, she relocated it to Hoima, her hometown in western Uganda. That business is still located there to date.
While the food store income was sufficient, Mbabazi’s satisfaction with the work was not. She enrolled for a UCU postgraduate program in Master of Human Resource Management in Education.
“Education adds value to a person,” Mbabazi says, adding that she hopes to leverage her postgraduate knowledge to grow her business.
She is currently employed as an ICT teacher at St. Cyprian High School in Kyabakadde, Mukono district.
From her master’s course, Mbabazi says she has learned invaluable lessons on interpersonal relations, particularly in working with teaching staff, non-teaching staff, and managers within the education sector.
“I now understand better how to retain and develop talented people in any kind of organization, especially for schools,” Mbabazi says.
She also highlights mentoring as a key takeaway from her course. She had already started mentoring students, particularly those in the ICT club where she serves as the patron at her current school.
Mbabazi believes that schools must consider hiring a human resource professional within their administration, something uncommon in Ugandan schools. As a result, headteachers typically handle HR responsibilities in most schools.
Mbabazi in her shop during the lockdown
Through the skills and knowledge that Mbabazi has gained in her master’s course, she says she has learned that HR managers are trained to create productive workplaces that can lead to improved outcomes.
Despite the widespread bias against a career in teaching due to low pay, Mbabazi argues that it’s important for more people to join the profession, to be able to nurture the future generation.
One of the notable challenges Mbabazi points out during her graduate studies is the struggle to balance work with school.
“Sometimes you would have work assignments to handle, with a proposal to defend and course work to hand in, and yet you also are the teacher on duty,” she noted.
And that was not the only challenge Mbabazi faced as a working student. She also had challenges with balancing school and her role as a wife and mother. The 28-year-old mother of two says that in such circumstances, it’s important to remember that you have interests and ambitions of your own, in addition to being a mother. This understanding inspires you to be determined and to make appropriate plans.
While pursuing her undergraduate studies at UCU, Mbabazi competed for guild presidency, but was unsuccessful. She, however, was appointed a leader in charge of education matters in the university’s guild government of that year.
Mbabazi explains that her aspirations for leadership didn’t end there. She remains determined to pursue leadership roles and sees herself serving in a public office later in life.
She completed her primary education at Bwikya Primary School in Hoima, then attended Jinja Secondary School for her O’level, proceeding to Mpoma Girls School, where she completed her A’level.
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.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi (second from right) is with other UCU administrators and staff receiving completed projects, during a handover ceremony, on August 26 at the Main Campus in Mukono.
By Irene Best Nyapendi For 13 years, the Words of Hope building at Uganda Christian University (UCU) has housed offices of journalism and communication studies on the Mukono campus.
From that yellow, storied building, faculty members experienced a bird’s-eye view of the university and surrounding hills. A disadvantage is that as what was once a department under the School of Education grew, staff members were scattered.
By the end of 2024, the School of Journalism, Media and Communication (JMC) at UCU is set to relocate to a new building designed to house all JMC staff and be more centrally located to administrative and other faculty/school offices. The new building, which previously housed School of Business offices, is located near the UCU Communications Office.
The new UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication Building
John Semakula, the Head of the Undergraduate Department within the School of JMC, said the JMC move is part of a university-wide space rationalization exercise that began two years ago.
“The new block will be referred to as the School of Journalism, Media and Communication Office Block,” Semakula said. “We had a shortage of office space, and as a result, we have been using different office blocks on campus, which kept us scattered. The new block is an opportunity to bring all the staff of the School under one roof.”
Prof. Monica Chibita, Dean of the School of JMC, cited other advantages.
“It is centrally located, surrounded by other faculties and schools, as well as some strategic administration offices, promoting interdisciplinary partnerships,” she said. “It also enables us (the faculty) to share office space, which eases collaboration. Many of our students have complained about the distance from the classrooms to the faculty, and we have struggled with limited office space and storage.”
Prof. Chibita noted that as the school shifts to the new location, the studios and equipment will remain at the current location, transforming it into a multimedia center, with The Standard newspaper, the UCU Focus TV, and other facilities relocating to the Words of Hope building.
The current UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication Building
Among those who have noticed the positive growth of the School of JMC isFrank Obonyo, an alumnus and a lecturer at the school. He recalled that a journalism department was started by former journalists – Mr. Illakut Ben Bella for print media, the late Okoku Obomba for radio, and the Rev. Canon Dr. Jackson Turyagyenda for television. The department was later joined by other seasoned professionals, including Ben Ochan for photojournalism and Jane Gitau, a Public Relations practitioner.
Over the years, the physical identity of the school has been associated with the Hope building, with Tech Park and with The Standard news office located between the PR office and the Vice Chancellor’s office. Obonyo recalled some early collaboration between the Mass Communication department and Spirit FM radio. He remembered being a student when there was no media laboratory with five still-photo cameras shared by over 90 classmates.
Today, the curriculum training is supported by highly qualified staff and practitioners in the industry and more equipment in a multimedia laboratory and three studios.
Obonyo, who joined UCU as a student in 2003, was among the first interns at The Standard student newspaper. In March 2007, an advertisement called upon Mass Communication graduates to apply for intern jobs at The Standard. The applicants went through the normal university recruitment process and four of the graduates were selected: Frank Obonyo, John Semakula, Brian Semujju and Emma Wafula.
Obonyo says this was a great opportunity for them to sharpen their journalism skills.
“As a result, we all got employed by the New Vision newspaper, Uganda’s leading daily English language newspaper,” he said. “ At The Standard, I was responsible for Sports news, Semakula was in charge of news and current affairs, Emma Wafula did Campus Life and Semujju was the Managing Editor.”
As the school prepares to relocate to a new building, Obonyo reflects on the journey.
“Today, the School of Journalism, Media and Communication is among the top media and communication training hubs in the country,” he said. “We have come a long way, and I am proud to have been part of this journey.”
For Geoffrey Ssenoga, a lecturer at the school since 2008, the move will bring numerous benefits to both staff and students. He notes that it will be easier for students to access them since it is closer to the classrooms, compared to the current building.
“We have course units taught by people from other faculties like the Social Sciences and Education, so being close to other faculty members will allow for easier collaboration,” Ssenoga said.
As Ssenoga looks forward to the relocation, he reflects on his earlier days as a lecturer, when resources were limited.
“I had to draw a camera on the blackboard to teach students how to operate a camera because we only had five cameras,” he notes, “But now, students have the privilege to access the camera whenever they need it to practice.”
Timothy Okurut, a student leader representing Mass Communication, said: “In the past, there have been times we failed to access the studio for production purposes because the lecturers were in a meeting,” Okurut said. “With the new building for the staff, we shall have unrestricted access to the studios.”
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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