By Irene Best Nyapendi
As the sun arose on July 28, a joyous atmosphere settled over Uganda Christian University
(UCU) as it celebrated its 24th graduation at Mukono Campus. Among the 1006 graduates that
were celebrated, 56% were females. Of the 29 First Class students registered, 18 of them
were female and only 11 were male. And seven of them topped the list leaving the best male
on the 8th position.
The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu acknowledged that this day is significant as
they witness the graduation of the 44 pioneer students of Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of
Dentistry and 9 of Bachelor of Dental Surgery.
He noted that this is a landmark achievement for UCU as it marks a significant step forward in
its pursuit of excellence in healthcare education. “I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the graduates who have successfully completed their program in these disciplines your determination and commitment,” Kaziimba said.
With great joy, he said the pioneer students have paved the way for future generations of
medical and dental professionals who will go on to make a profound impact on the health of
this nation.
Kaziimba also announced the expansion of UCU’s facilities, upgraded laboratories which have
enhanced the university’s technological infrastructure to enable learners excel in their
academic pursuit.
“I am proud to say that UCU has achieved remarkable progress in infrastructure development
across our various colleges and campuses this investment has created a conducive learning
environment. We will continue to strive for excellence and further enhance our standing
among the top universities in the world,” he said.
He urged the graduands to continue embracing the UCU core values of integrity, servant
hood, Christ- centeredness, stewardship and diligence as they go forth and make positive
impact in the world.
“May you continue to embrace the values of integrity, servant hood, Christ centeredness,
stewardship, diligence and integrity. Put your faith in Jesus Christ as your savior and mentor
as you pursue your career, keeping in mind that the thing behind the thing is the real thing
and the thing is Jesus Christ,” he said.
UCU Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, commended the UCU School of
Dentistry, Medicine and Dental Surgery for harking back to the pioneering spirit of the Church
of Uganda that laid the foundation for medical education in the country in 1877.
“This is exciting news for us as we send out our first crop of doctors, dentists and surgeons in
the medical field. Unlike some doctors in the country known for engaging in strikes, these
UCU graduates have vowed to uphold the sanctity of human life,” Mushengyezi said.
Mushegyenzi extended special recognition to the partners who played a pivotal role in shaping
the future of these aspiring doctors and dentists.

Among them are; Dr. Edward Kanyesigye for the great work he did as the pioneer Dean, Dr.
Rose Mutumba the Director of Mengo Hospital together with her team of administrators and
specialists who supported the school. Uganda Partners (USA) for mobilizing funds and
equipment’s for both schools, the former UCU Council ad Administration for the vision.
Together with the current Deans; Dr. Gerald Tumusiime and Dr. James Magara for nurturing
these schools into formidable centers of excellence. He encouraged the graduates to put to use the knowledge, skills, competencies, attitudes,
and values they have acquired at UCU.

Major successes from the university colleges, faculties and schools

Mushengyezi unveiled the recent major successes from the university colleges, faculties and schools. These included:

• UCU was this year ranked third best university in Uganda by UniRank
• School of Journalism, Media and Communication is part of a consortium of 6 African universities that are implementing a project worth 3.3 Billion funded by the European Commission. The project is focusing on building capacity for reporting migration and mobility across boarders in Sub- Saharan Africa.
• School of Education in partnership with Edify trained 600 Head Teachers and school proprietors in areas of competence-based curriculum development, financial literacy, customer care and integration of ICT in education from at least 10 districts of Uganda.
• 20 UCU School of Law alumni graduated at the Law Development Center (LDC) with First Class degrees. Of these, 10 appeared on the Director’s List. The overall best performing student was a UCU alumnus, Emmanuel Okia. Still, the top four First Class LDC graduates were all from UCU: Emmanuel Okia, Shamira Kitimbo, Reagan Ahumuza and Jemimah Jehopio.
• The Department of Engineering and Environment in collaboration with Aksaray University in Turkey obtained an Erasmus+ grant of Euro 15,600 to support student and staff mobility for three years.
• UCU sports teams have maintained stellar permanent in various games. It won 20 medals: 8 Gold, 7 silver and 5 bronze.
• Ongoing fundraising campaign for Arua campus plans to construct an academic building, the
• Bishop Orombi ICT Complex to house several facilities including the campus innovation hub, e learning center, lecture rooms and conference hall.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of Rt. Rev. Dr. Dunstan Kopoliano Bukenya, Former University Secretary UCU and retired Bishop of Mityana Diocese.

In his address, he lauded the extraordinary achievements of the university and acknowledged its landmark in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and dental surgery. “I am happy to see that our original vision has come true and continued to shine with added vigour to A Centre of Excellence in the Heart of Africa now with a population of over 12,000 students, 7 Schools and 4 Faculties,” Bukenya said.

About Yohana Eyob Ghebrekristos, the overall best student

Yohana Eyob Ghebrekristos is one of the 44 pioneer students of Bachelor of Medicine and
Bachelor of Surgery. She emerged as the overall best student, best female student and also
the best science student with a CGPA of 4.71.
Since arriving in Uganda in 2018, Yohana considered herself fortunate to be admitted to UCU.
Reflecting on her UCU experience, she shared, that she has enjoyed the privilege of being
taught by highly trained professionals.
“I’m so excited and extremely honored to be the best performing student. UCU has been
amazing and I was very fortunate to join this esteemed institution. It’s reputation of
producing well-rounded professionals really attracted me to UCU.” Yohana said with sheer
delight.
She appreciates the University for equipping her with both academic knowledge and spiritual
values that she believes will guide her as she ventures into the working world.
Looking ahead, Yohana aspires to specialize in orthodontics and dental surgery, with hope of
opening up a dental clinic to serve underprivileged in communities.
To her fellow students in the medical field, Yohana offered valuable advice, emphasizing that
the medical profession requires unwavering hard work, determination, and sacrifice.
“Don’t underestimate the course; it’s a journey that demands your best effort. And in the end,
the rewards will be worth it,” she urged.
As Yohana eagerly awaits her internship, her father, Eyob Ghebrekristos, expressed
immeasurable joy and excitement upon her accomplishment.
“We are so excited and proud of Yohana, and we all came from the United States to be here
and celebrate Yohana’s graduation,” he said a beaming smile.
He believes this was possible because of Yohana’s nature of hard work and discipline together
with the support from family.

Wilson Wanyama, best Arts student

Wilson Wanyama of Bachelor of Development and Social Entrepreneurship emerged as the best male student and also best arts student with a CGPA of 4.64.
Wanyama notes that 2020 brought unique challenges, as the pandemic disrupted in-person learning. However, Wanyama appreciates the university administration for immediately adapting to the online learning mode, continuing their pursuit of knowledge despite the
physical distance.
“I’m so excited that I’m graduating from UCU, the center of excellence in the heart of Africa.
UCU has prepared me well to develop my career and interact with all sorts of people in the
field,” Wanyama said.
He noted that the university’s core values, particularly diligence and Christ-centeredness,
have become integral to his character, guiding him in his future endeavors.
One of the challenges Wanyama faced during his university life was the frequent movement
from Kampala to Mukono for classes.
Despite the distance, he displayed remarkable dedication by never missing a single lecture or
arriving late to any class. His commitment to punctuality and discipline earned him
recognition as the best in his class consistently.

Wanyama attributes his victory to God, family and friends recognizing divine guidance in his
academic journey.
“God enabled me be the best in my class, from the first year to the final year, and I also don’t
remember ever falling sick” he acknowledged.
The chairperson of the University Council, Rt. Rev. Prof. Alfred Olwa congratulated and
inspired the graduates as they move on to the next phase of their lives.
“My brothers and sisters as you go out of UCU to start a new life and a new career I would like
to remind you that your life and service is not about you but is about him who created, do not
be preoccupied with other people’s opinions, worrying about pleasing everyone but rather
have a sense for what God wants to say to you in the situations that you go through,” Olwa
said.

He assured the graduates of God’s blessing upon them in the different roles they will be in for a season and for a reason.
The 1006 students graduating with diploma, degrees and Masters came from disciplines that include: Law, Journalism, Computer Science, Education, Engineering, Industrial and Fine Art, Public Health, Nursing and Midwifery.

From all walks of life, religion and nationality, but one goal- a pursuit for excellence in higher education, to make a positive change in society.

Give it up to all the ladies and gentlemen who've graduated today. #UCUGrad23 #Apply2UCU pic.twitter.com/qXeK9PmHfo

— Uganda Christian University (Official) (@UCUniversity) July 28, 2023

By Irene Best Nyapendi and Jimmy Siyasa
In July 2023, Uganda Christian University (UCU) graduates 45 pioneer students of its School of Medicine. The graduates are the first batch of exceptional doctors – with many more to come, marking a milestone since the establishment of the School of Medicine in 2018. 

How UCU’s School of Medicine collaborations benefits its students

To forge the best doctors, UCU’s School of Medicine has proactively forged partnerships with institutions such as Mulago National Referral Hospital, Mengo Hospital, Mukono Church of Uganda Hospital and Uganda Cancer Institute. These collaborations ensure that students receive comprehensive and high-quality training throughout their five-year program.

Under the guidance of Dr. Gerald Tumusiime, Dean of the School of Medicine, students are strategically placed in different healthcare facilities at various stages of their training. This approach aims to provide them with diverse clinical exposure and the opportunity to learn from specialists in different settings. 

“By moving to different health facilities, they get more skills from different specialists and exposure so that they may make informed choices with their career paths,” Dr. Tumusiime said.  

Beginning from their first and second years, students gain valuable clinical experience at Mengo and Mukono Church of Uganda hospitals. As they progress to their third and fourth years, they undertake extensive clinical practice at Mengo Hospital. In their fourth year, students have the privilege of training at the Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care Africa, Mulago Hospital and Uganda Cancer Institute.

Beyond the clinical aspects, the School of Medicine emphasizes the importance of holistic development. Students participate in mandatory community engagement programs, aligning with the philosophy of reaching out to the sick. This approach cultivates character and instills empathy in future doctors. Furthermore, the school’s collaboration with organizations such as Noah’s Ark Ministries, a Christian entity, offers students opportunities to integrate their faith into their medical practice. Noah’s Ark integrates the student doctors in their medical center and schedules outreaches to communities for clinical screenings and immunizations. 

Dr. Tumusiime believes that this holistic approach sets UCU students apart, making them not only highly skilled professionals, but also compassionate caregivers. Through their training, these students learn to prioritize patient well-being and exhibit genuine care for those they serve.

“Interactions with other Christian doctors at such Christian organizations enable our students to integrate faith in medical practice,” Dr. Tumusiime said.

The institution’s emphasis on quality training, diverse clinical exposure, and the integration of faith in medical practice ensures that UCU graduates are well-prepared to make a positive impact on the communities they serve. 

As the future of medical education and practice unfolds, prospective students can find solace in UCU’s dedication to empowering aspiring doctors with the knowledge, skills and character that makes them stand out in the crowd.

Testimonies of graduands

Ronnie Mwesigwa’s dream, which is contributing towards healing the ailing health sector, is near with his imminent graduation. Mwesigwa is concerned about the patient-to-doctor ratio gap in Uganda. Uganda’s doctor-to-patient ratio is one doctor per every 25,725 patients. In comparison, the USA has one doctor for every 340 persons. 

Mwesigwa lost his grandmother – a death he believes was caused by negligent doctors. Her final note urged her grandson to “study medicine and become a doctor.” 

“The doctor who was serving her postponed her treatment many times even when she needed immediate attention,” he said.

Graduand Davis Ampumuza has promised himself to bring strong work ethic and enthusiasm in the medical field to curb the rate at which pregnant mothers lose their lives and children due to negligence and unavailability of medical officers. 

“The short answer to making health care better in Uganda is a well-developed infrastructure,” he said. “The longer answer relates to the fact that women in particular stay in very hard to reach areas where the distance between their homes and health units is very long and the roads are very poor.”

Ampumuza added that the lack of nearby medical services, combined with procedures performed by less-qualified health care workers,  increases the risk of mortality for pregnant women and their babies.

Ampumuza, Mwesigwa and 43 other new UCU SoM graduates will help fill those gaps.

Following the July graduation, there will be 259 students in the School of Medicine.

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By Irene Best Nyapendi
Working parents continue the struggle to find a convenient, safe and responsible child care school that gives them a peace of mind as they do their jobs. For Uganda Christian University (UCU) staff members, the dilemma is less because of a high-quality Kids Care Centre on the Mukono campus.

Deborah Mugawe, the administrator, said the Kids Care Centre offers day care to children of UCU current and former staff and students, those of UCU service providers and those recommended by the above categories. The plan is to expand the school to UCU’s general community members who subscribe to Christian values and principles. 

“One can be sure of the child’s safety, good moral and Godly values as well as quality learning,” Mugawe said.

About the UCU Kids Care Centre

The Centre admits children from 1 to 6 years. They are grouped into Toddler Class (1-2 years); Baby Class (3-4); Middle Class (4-5); and Top Class (5-6). There are currently 23 children studying at the Centre that has a capacity for 60 children. School fees are about $191 for a term.

Mugawe recalled one humorous incident involving a child who submitted his workbook for grading. A young boy named Isaiah had a sentence error. He wrote “My name Isaiah” instead of “My name is Isaiah” because he thought the verb “is” was already embedded in his name.  

“I love coming to school to play with my friends, to sing songs like, ‘The Lord is my shepherd’,” said five-year-old student, Nicole Kwikiriza. “I  also love to write.”

The Centre incorporates play and education based on an integrated system of Uganda and basic early learning format.

How UCU staff is benefitting from the Kids Care Centre

Rev. Alex Kamoga, the assistant chaplain at UCU and a part-time lecturer at Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology (BTSDT), enrolled his son, Kisakye Kamoga, at the Centre last year based on convenience and holistic learning. 

“I shared a fence with the school,” said Kamoga, a resident of Tech Park. “Usually in the morning, we would see my son going to the fence to listen to the children at the school as they read the Bible and sang; that inspired me to take him there.”

Kamoga said his son is now able to count with added confidence because teachers encourage him to express himself.

 “I am glad my son has learnt to pray and memorized a few verses,” he said.

The Rev. Can. Rose Ekirunga Muhumuza, a BTSDT lecturer, is a mother of two children under age five at the Kids Care Centre. Muhumuza said it was a necessity for her to take her children there when she joined UCU in 2020 because she had a two-year-old child and no nanny.

“The UCU Kids Care Centre is one of the blessings I found here. When I interacted with the teachers there, I loved the way they look after the children,” she said, adding that having her children in the centre makes her a better lecturer as it “lessons my burden” and allows her fuller concentration on teaching. 

Daphine Okiria Nabimanya, who works at the UCU church relations office, recommended the school to her brother for his son – her nephew who now lives with the aunt. 

“When I am busy, the teachers at the Centre look after him for me until I pick him after work,” she said. “Sometimes, I even pick him up at 7 p.m. on days when I have a lot of work.”

Nabimanya said in less than a year, there was a remarkable turnaround in the life of a boy who was shy and didn’t speak English. 

“Now, he speaks English and is confident,” she said, adding. “I am happy that my nephew has learnt how to pray.”

By Pauline Luba

Dr. Erisa Kigenyi Mazaki, the new Principal of the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mbale University College, was twice “acting” in the role over the past five years.

The life of UCU’s Dr. Erisa Kigenyi Mazaki

In August 2018, he joined the institution as a full-time staff member. Just four months later, the UCU Vice Chancellor at the time, Rev. Canon Dr. John Senyonyi, shocked Kigenyi by appointing him the acting principal of the college. The position holder at the time had retired. 

“I was shocked because I thought there were more capable people than I was,”  Kigenyi, an ardent teacher, said.  “I was wondering why I had been tasked with the responsibility.”

Kigenyi was the acting principal until March 2019, when Mrs. Mary Gichuki Manana joined the college as the substantive head. A year later, last year, when the position fell vacant in November, Dr. Kigenyi was appointed in acting capacity. 

In June 2023, the month when Kigenyi was celebrating 50 years of age, he received a notification that he had been appointed as the college’s substantive principal. 

For now, his eyes will be focused on ventures to improve the state of the infrastructure of the college, located in Mbale city, eastern Uganda. With improved infrastructure, there is hope that the enrollment and welfare of students at the college will improve. 

Last year, the college launched a fundraising drive to raise money for the expansion of the institution’s infrastructure. At the event, more than sh240million (over $64,000) was collected in cash and pledges. Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, who was represented at the function by Mbale Resident District Commissioner, Mr. Ahamada Washaki, pledged sh200million (about $53,000).

Should any challenges surface during Kigenyi’s tenure as principal, he feels assured of victory. He says his armor is Psalm 121:1-3 “I look up to the mountains, does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth. He will not let you stumble; the One who watches over you will not slumber.” 

To deliver results in his new position, the father of three boys and one girl hopes to rely on his ever-present and supportive wife, Janet Kigenyi, in affairs of the home. Her management of family affairs enables him to have a peace of mind at work. 

Born in 1973 to Mr. Nsangi Amunoni and Annet Nasiyo, Kigenyi had 10 siblings – three boys and seven girls. He attended North Road Primary School in Mbale city for his primary education and then Bukedi College Kachonga from Senior One to Senior Five. He was unable to return to the school for Senior Six because his father faced financial hardships and could not afford to pay the tuition. Kigenyi was then enrolled at Mbale Progressive School, where he completed Senior Six, emerging as one of the best candidates in the national exams.

The top performance earned Kigenyi a government sponsorship for a Bachelor of Arts with Education at Uganda’s Makerere University. In 1988, Kigenyi graduated as a teacher. Soon after, he teamed up with two colleagues and they started their own school, Mbale Comprehensive High School, where he is still a director. He says teaching and molding students into useful citizens is a satisfying experience.

 “Students are the reason teachers like me exist,” he said.

In November 1998, he joined Mbale Secondary School, where he taught until 2012. Here, he was a classroom teacher before being promoted to the position of head of the history department. He was also appointed as the chair of the staff of the Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) and patron of student leaders in a school of over 4,000 students. 

In 2005, Kigenyi joined UCU for post-graduate studies, graduating in 2007 with a Master of Science in Human Resource Management in Education. In 2010, he enrolled for a Post-graduate Diploma in Public Administration and Management at Uganda Management Institute, graduating with a first class in 2011. Two years later, Kigenyi went back to school, enrolling for a PhD in Management Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology. He graduated in 2017. 

Before joining UCU as a full-time staff member in 2018, Kigenyi served the university on a part-time basis for seven years, up to July 2018. 

With support from the SG-NAPI ‘Scientist after Child’ scheme, Ugandan agronomist Rosemary Bulyaba may now both look after her children and conduct research that helps her community.

Ugandan agronomist Rosemary Bulyaba is exploring how to find varieties of cowpea that are more resilient to adverse climatic conditions, can thrive in various soils types and environments, and whose leaves can be utilized as vegetables and are rich in vital nutrients such as iron and folate. Bulyaba is the dean of the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Faculty of Agriculture Sciences. However must also balance her research work with her role as a mother of two children, a 2-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl.

However, her second maternity leave has been much easier than the first one, because, while working at the Uganda Christian University (UCU), in Mukono, Uganda, she received a special grant that TWAS established in collaboration with the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Called the Seed Grant for New African Principal Investigators (SG-NAPI), it offers an unprecedented mother-friendly component called ‘Scientist after Child’ scheme. This scheme allows pregnant scientists and new mothers to receive extra funding to hire a lab assistant, thus obtaining reliable maternity leave support.

“Receiving the SG-NAPI was a huge help for my scientific career. I could continue my research with the aid of an assistant while staying at home and breastfeeding,” she explained. “This grant has strengthened my reputation and increased my value at UCU. My career was uplifted: I was head of the department and now I am the Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences.”

The SG-NAPI grant meets the needs of early-career scientists from developing countries, and, in particular, from the least developed countries (LDCs). With funding entirely from BMBF, it allows young scientists to purchase the research facilities they need to enhance their productivity. Its ‘Scientists after Child’ scheme seeks to enhance the productivity of female scientists returning to academia after maternity leave. Another component of the programme, the ‘Master of Science training grant’, allows scientists to train master’s students within their research group. Bulyaba benefitted from both these components.

A mother-friendly scheme

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is an annual herbaceous legume originally used to feed animals, especially by smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa – hence the name cowpea.  However, it is becoming increasingly relevant in human nutrition, as it is rich in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and fiber, and low in fat content.

Bulyaba’s interest in nutrition-sensitive agriculture and agronomic management practices is not recent. Her early step in science led her to study grain legumes such as cowpeas, common beans, lablab beans, and soybeans. In 2019, she earned a PhD in crop production, physiology, and sustainable agriculture from Iowa State University, US, and then moved back to Uganda. Shortly thereafter, she discovered that she was expecting, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was about to begin.

“I was afraid that I would have to halt my scientific career for a while, because my husband and I already had a young daughter, who was only 1 year old at the time, to take care of. However, field and lab work are often quite demanding,” she recalled.

An agronomist’s life is physically intense. The fieldworkbegins with land preparation and the planting of the seeds. Then weekly monitoring activity requires extra work to ensure that the plants have germinated and are growing well—otherwise a new round of sowing is needed. Sometimes insects ruin the crop, and scientists need to use pesticides to keep those at bay.

When Bulyaba was still a new staff member and a mother for the second time, she learned about a programme that would preserve her work. The former Dean of Bulyaba’s faculty mentioned the SG-NAPI grant and the mother-friendly scheme. Bulyaba applied, and her maternity leave improved. With a two-year long grant covering 2022 and 2023, she could hire an assistant who supports in supervising the research activities while she is at home with her kids. This also ensures that her master’s students have the support they need and prevents a gap in her scientific work.

“I have three sites to check on periodically, in Eastern Uganda, Central Uganda, and in greenhouses,” Bulyaba explained. “With my students, we are now testing over 100 different genotypes, across these sites, to see which ones best adapt to these environments, under those specific conditions. It is interesting to see how plants behave under conditions that are apparently similar, but in practice different.” Some of the cowpea genotypes are from Ghana, others from Makerere University, and from UCU where Bulyaba is employed.

A mother’s impact on child wellbeing

The grant’s impact was enormous, not only on her career. In a more relaxed mood at home, Bulyaba offered her newborn, Shaun, quality time, and the difference from the first pregnancy was evident.

“My presence at home brought several benefits to my son, who is more self-confident, assertive, and prompt from a cognitive point of view,” she observed. He was breastfed for 18 months, while his sister stopped after four. In addition, Shaun, not yet 3, can count one-to-ten, recite the alphabet, identify shapes and colours, and has started speaking both his native language, Luganda, and English without having attended kindergarten yet.

The SG-NAPI grant put Bulyaba in the position to make a difference also for young scientists in her community. She hired two master’s students, Naome Aryatwijuka and Norah Akaba, whose role in this cowpea research is crucial.

Aryatwijuka, who conducts agronomic field work and experimentation, is a master’s student in agriculture research. She handles tasks such as planting the seeds, collecting the leaves, and correlating the quality and yield of the harvested crops with specific genotypes and field locations. Then Akaba steps in.

Thanks to the SG-NAPI grant, Akaba can pursue her master’s degree in human nutrition. She uses Aryatwijuka’s information to select the most potentially nutritious leaves, which are naturally rich in micronutrients that are especially important for reproductive-age women. She is also involved in the preparation and development of a nutritionally dense cowpea soup for the local communities. Additionally, she is working on gathering feedback from community members regarding the quality and acceptability of the meal.

“I feel quite privileged because the SG-NAPI grant gave me the chance to hire two young women and have an impact on their education and career,” Bulyaba said. “Women often face more challenges and have fewer privileges compared to men, and having a child can often so easily lead to the end of their scientific career. I do hope that both Akaba and Aryatwijuka will also pursue a PhD after this master’s experience.”

“Receiving this grant was not only for me but for my students as well,” she concluded.

This article, written by By Cristina Serra was published on The World Academy of Sciences.

By Irene Best Nyapendi
As she waits to graduate, Doreen Mbabazi Naiga is already giving back to Uganda Christian University (UCU) through equipping the continuing students with what most call “soft” but nevertheless vital skills. Naiga, who will receive her Bachelor of Laws degree when she graduates in July,  partnered with Solomon Esadu, also a student pursuing a Bachelor of Laws in his fourth year, to reinforce employability skills of communication, teamwork and more.

Inspiration

“We saw that after finishing school, students face a challenge of getting jobs because they lack some of these soft skills like perfecting their Curriculum Vitae,” Naiga said.

Naiga said they wanted to be proactive at offering students knowledge on some of the softer  skills they need to get a job. Along with their organization, United Nations Association of Uganda (UNAU), Naiga and Esadu organized a one-day workshop on May 27, 2023, at UCU on the theme of “Career exploration and professional developing: Mapping your future.” UNAU works in conjunction with UN agencies to achieve aims and objectives of the UN.

Naiga and Esadu were among 20 delegates selected by the Africa UNAU. Naiga was inspired to join the fellowship because she wanted to be part of the solution. 

“I wanted to be in a position where I am able to help and influence communities,” she said.

Esadu joined UNAU because he is passionate about leadership and social development.

As delegates, they were offered a skilling program, mentorship, training and workshops where they learned about what they need to do in their community. At the workshop, the two passed some of this knowledge along.

“We learned that more people in society would love to obtain the same skill, so we brought it to our brothers and sisters at UCU to help them understand the skills they ought to have as they go to seek for jobs,” Esadu said.

Esadu noted that with so many graduates hunting for job opportunities in the competitive work world, soft skills make one stand out.

Esadu cautioned students about spending many hours on the internet just watching fun videos, but rather invest that time networking on the various social media platforms and learning about potential employers.

He also encouraged students to volunteer while they are still in school so that by the time they graduate, they would have acquired more experience needed and desired by employers.

He commended the university for the soft skills it offers through the undergraduate course units of Writing and Study Skills. However, he observed that students don’t realize how important the course unit is early in their studies, necessitating that students re-study it later. 

“The students were able to learn and re-learn some of the pertinent issues they have not been paying much attention to such as resume writing,” Esadu said of the workshop. “When the speakers emphasized them, they got to understand them more.”

Skills offered

Eborty Ntami, a governance and peace fellow with the United Nations Development Program, taught students how to write an attractive Curriculum Vitae (a resume), how to answer interview questions, how to prepare for an interview, among other skills.

“I urge you to aim at having an attractive CV, to read about the job details and understand them before you apply and carry out research about the organization you are applying to,” Ntami said.

Ntami emphasized that having knowledge about a company before going for the interview not only increases the student’s chance of being hired, but also helps that student decide whether the company will be a good fit.

According to Ntami, knowledge, networking, empowerment, inclusiveness and persistence are key in determining what people become. She encouraged the students to be ready for opportunities when they come and to leverage on Information Technology to overcome in the dynamic world.

“Interviews are always tricky,”  said Alex Kaitale, a student pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration, after the workshop. “I am now prepared for the marketplace. I am sure I will submit the appropriate documents and respond to interview questions in the right way.”

Elijah Biimbwa, a second-year student of a Bachelor of Tourism in Hospitality Management, said he learned about the importance of networking.

“I learned that we need to network to increase our access to job opportunities, increase our visibility and advance our career. It is important for us to engage with others,” he said, adding that he also learned to make the best use of his social media platforms to network.