Uganda Christian University (UCU) held a press conference on September 23 to launch the upcoming Annual Tuition Run scheduled for October 18, 2025. This initiative is led by the Omega Scholarship Fund in partnership with the UCU Honours College, UCU Guild Government, UCU Alumni Association, and several external partners like FlexiPay under Stanbic Bank, Housing Finance Bank and Tropical Bank.

This year’s chief runner, Geoffrey Martin Kitakule, the Rotary District 9213 Governor, will lead the initiative which aims to raise UGX 500 million to support UCU students in need of tuition assistance.

At the press conference, Dorothy Tushemereirwe, the UCU Fundraising Consultant and Omega Scholarship Coordinator, said the run is about unity for a common cause. “It’s always painful when parents and students come to me in tears because of tuition. Sometimes I can only pray with them, but when we do activities like these, we raise the resources to actually support them.” 

Tushemereirwe added that all UCU campuses and colleges in Mukono, Kampala, Arua, Kabale, Mbale, and Kagando are expected to take part in the run at their different locations. She also revealed that the running kits include a beautiful designer running T-shirt priced at UGX 30,000 and a stylish bib at UGX 25,000.

According to Tushemereirwe, the Omega Scholarship started as a simple “10k Campaign,” which encouraged as many people as possible to contribute UGX 10,000 each and over time, it grew into a robust fundraising program. She noted that this initiative has so far raised more than UGX 300 million and supported over 100 students to graduation.

Dickson Tumuramye, head of the UCU Honours College, emphasized the importance of financial support, saying that many students struggle to complete their education without help.

Housing Finance Bank, one of the partners in this year’s run, was represented by Joseph Mabonga, team leader at the Mukono branch, who revealed that he has already initiated discussions with his management team to support the cause. He committed personally to purchase running kits for himself and his wife and to mobilize at least 15 colleagues to do the same.

Representing Tropical Bank, Kenneth Magera said the visit to UCU had confirmed how much this initiative changes lives, promising that the bank would mobilize support, including buying running kits.

Byanjeru Faith, who serves at Stanbic Bank under FlexiPay, added a spiritual dimension, quoting Proverbs 19:17, highlighting how acts of kindness and generosity towards those in need are seen as an investment in the Lord, who promises to repay such good deeds. She explained that FlexiPay will power the ticketing solution for the run, making it possible for participants to contribute easily. “Simply dial *291#, choose the Pay Merchant option, enter code 216719, select your amount and pay. You will receive a confirmation that goes directly to the university,” she noted.

Gift Katusiime, UCU Alumni Administrator, and Patricia Atim, Deputy Prime Minister of the UCU Guild Government, pledged contributions from their fraternities and promised to mobilize their members to purchase bibs and running kits.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration, Mr David Mugawe, thanked the organizers, partners and students for their commitment to the cause. He personally pledged to buy kits for himself, his family, and all staff under his office, noting that initiatives like these not only put smiles on students’ faces but also help actualize their dreams of becoming lawyers, doctors and other professionals. “Some of these dreams have been lost because students fail to clear tuition, and it is not their fault. Let’s all join in and support,” he said.

Students who have benefited from the program also shared their testimonies. Deborah Nakaddu, a Third year Nursing Science student, and Kisakye Joshua, a Fourth year Law student, narrated how the initiative had kept their academic journeys alive even after missing exams due to lack of tuition. Both expressed gratitude for the hope restored through the Omega Scholarship.

As the countdown to October 18 begins, the Annual Tuition Run is once again positioning itself as a unifying event for the UCU community and its partners, with one goal: to give more students the chance to complete their education.

More in the Media:

• https://ugandaradionetwork.net/story/ucu-launches-2025-tuition-run-to-raise-ugx-500m-for-struggling-students
• https://insightpostug.com/ucu-launches-2025-tuition-run-targets-ugx-500m-to-keep-students-in-class/
• https://mubendepost.com/2002/ucu-launches-2025-tuition-run-to-raise-ugx-500m-for-struggling-students/.html/