By Yasiri J. Kasango
Uganda Christian University (UCU) has a longstanding commitment to improving student writing skills, a crucial part of the university’s academic fabric. This commitment is embodied in the UCU Writing Center, which, since its inception in 2022, has played a pivotal role in this pledge across various genres and disciplines. 

Martin Kajubi, acting manager of the Writing Center, plays a fundamental role in the pledge, overseeing coaches who help students refine their ideas and perfect their drafts. 

A 2016 UCU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in languages and literature and a student pursuing his master’s degree in strategic communications, Kajubi is a passionate advocate for writing. Prof. Tom Deans of the University of Connecticut has served as Kajubi’s mentor, helping him publish several articles with the International Writing Center Journal. Deans, director of a writing center at his American university,  has spent time on the ground and virtually to help develop a UCU model that Kajubi wished he had as an undergraduate student. 

“When I was studying, I used to struggle on how to approach writing and other assignments on my own and with friends, since we didn’t have a support system like this,”  he said. 

Kajubi, who hails from Masaka,  says his experience while studying for his bachelor’s degree is part of his inspiration to help students develop their ideas and put them into writing. Kajubi says he has zeal for academic writing.

The UCU center, housed within the Mukono campus library, is extremely important for international students, many of whom struggle with English ability.

“I’ve had challenging moments with international students, particularly those who are not fluent in English,” Kajubi noted. “However, the training we received from Professor Deans has equipped us to help these students improve their English writing skills.” 

The center, which has 29 coaches, attempts to pair students with similar ethnicity to guide them in their writing.

Prof. Deans conducted workshops on nurturing young writers and enhancing writing skills of prospective writing center staff, especially writing and study skills for lecturers in March 2022,  in preparation for the launch of the center in October 2022. The trained team led by Martin Kajubi has been  instrumental in the success of the Writing Center. The center’s creation was supported by the UCU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, and Bukenya David, the librarian, who designated a tutoring space within the Hamu Mukasa Library.

As of the summer of 2024, over 200 students from different UCU schools/faculties had been assisted by the Writing Center.

Despite its successes, the Writing Center faces significant challenges, primarily related to staffing and funding. Currently, the center relies heavily on student coaches who volunteer an average of three hours a week, limiting the number of students who can be helped. The Center is designed to allocate each student 30 minutes per coaching session with the reality that most sessions go longer. 

“Ideally,  each coach  can only assist about nine students per week in one-on-one sessions,” Kajubi said. “With the high demand, it’s challenging to meet all the students’ needs.”

Additionally, the Writing Center operates largely on donations, such as those from Uganda Partners. 

“We are working towards having the university formally integrate the Writing Center into its budget to ensure sustainable support,” Kajubi stated.

The Vision of UCU Writing Center

Looking ahead, Martin envisions a Writing Center where all students who seek help can be attended to sufficiently and promptly.

“I hope to recruit more coaches and ensure they are compensated for their time,” he said.  “This will allow us to accommodate more students and provide consistent support.” 

The Writing Center’s impact on students is profound, transforming their approach to writing from a mere academic requirement to an opportunity for personal and intellectual growth.

“I want students to view writing as a chance to express their ideas, not just an obligation to fulfill coursework requirements,” said Martin, who also lectures about writing in various courses at UCU. “Good writing skills enable students to communicate their ideas effectively, which can take them far in their academic and professional journeys.”

Martin’s passion for writing and dedication to the Writing Center is evident in his ability to balance his roles as a lecturer, manager, and writer. He attributes his success to meticulous planning and a strong support system.

“Proper planning and dedication are crucial,” he said. “I also rely on a team of student coaches  who play administrative roles in my absence, ensuring the center operates smoothly.”