By Jimmy Siyasa

A Q&A about the book

Tell us about the book in summary

The book, entitled 299-page book titled The Restoration of God’s Dwelling and Kingdom is published by Langhams Publishing. It is a reading of the Bible as an integrated whole from Genesis to Revelation. Starting from Genesis, the books of the Bible are read together as a unified whole, i.e. as one book.

From Genesis, I establish that God created the world to be a part of his kingdom and his dwelling with human beings. However, God’s creative intentions were disrupted when humans rebelled against God (in the event that is commonly known as the fall).

I, therefore, trace through the Old Testament the story of the way God acted to restore the world to his kingdom and to be his dwelling with humans. This story comes to a conclusion in the New Testament with the promise of the new Jerusalem coming down. At that time, the world will once again become a part of God’s kingdom and his dwelling with human beings.

What would you say is the relevance of this book to theological training and pastoral ministry in the 21^st Century?

The giving of God’s word through proclaiming and teaching is integral to pastoral ministry. But pastors can only do so when they link and relate the individual sections of the Bible to the whole content of the Bible. This book helps them to a good extent to do so by familiarising themselves in depth with the whole content of the Bible from the standpoint of salvation which is the chief concern of the Bible. Indeed pastors and theological students are the core audience of the book.

What should any reader expect to learn or pick from the book?

An in-depth study of the whole Bible thereby attaining an overview of the message of the Bible. This is why I say that this book is for those who love the Word of God and desire to study it in depth. I can assure you that once they start reading it, they will not put it down until they finish it.

A video discussion of the book

By Mercy Mukhaye

Uganda Christian University (UCU) Kampala Campus witnessed an exciting event today, March 7, 2023, as the 25th Guild Government officials were officially sworn in. The long-awaited ceremony was graced by the University Vice-Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, who urged the newly elected guild officials to be solution-givers and transformative leaders in the country.

Guild Petitions

The elections were initially held on November 22, 2022, but a petition filed by Martha Nachirwanda delayed the ceremony. The petition was the result of her dissatisfaction with the election results in which Zedekia Ssekyonda emerged as the winner. However, a re-election was held last week on Friday, and Zeddekia still emerged as the winner.

The new Guild President, Zedekia Ssekyonda, expressed his relief, saying, “This has been a long-awaited day even with the petitions, but this is a big relief to me.” Lillian Nabaasa Tumwine, the MP Law Day, also expressed her gratitude and belief that more opportunities would come her way because leadership comes from God.

The University Vice-Chancellor commended the guild government for exemplifying Christian leadership by working with the university administration to facilitate a peaceful transition of power from the previous guild government to the newly elected officials. It is hoped that the newly elected officials will uphold the values and traditions of the university while working towards achieving their goals.

The newly elected Guild officials have promised to work tirelessly to serve the students to the best of their abilities. They have also vowed to work towards improving the welfare of the students while ensuring that the university maintains its reputation for excellence.

UCU Guild: A model system

UCU is a model institution of higher learning in Uganda, as far as peaceful students’ guild elections are concerned. The university boasts of a clean sheet of no-election violence ever since its inception in 1997. This swearing-in ceremony is yet another testimony.

The students and staff alike are excited about the future and look forward to the positive changes that the new guild government will bring.

E-voting

At Uganda Christian University (UCU), students now have the convenience of voting using an electronic voting platform called eChagua. This e-voting system has made the voting process for students more convenient and easy. With eChagua, students can cast their votes from anywhere, anytime, as long as they have an internet connection.

The use of eChagua has eliminated the need for physical ballot papers and the hassle of queuing up to cast a vote. It has also reduced the likelihood of errors and fraud associated with traditional voting methods. By using eChagua, UCU has demonstrated its commitment to leveraging technology to improve the overall voting experience for students.

By Mercy Mukhaye

Basketball fans, mark your calendars! Uganda Christian University (UCU) is proud to host a two-day invitational basketball tournament featuring 13 teams from across the country. This exciting event is set to take place on Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 05, 2023, and it promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent and sportsmanship.

Basketball tournament

The tournament is a crucial part of the UCU Lady Canons‘ preparations for their upcoming season. The Lady Canons are eager to showcase their skills in front of their supporters and demonstrate their readiness to take on the competition. Despite losing some players, the team has been training hard since January 10th, and they are more than ready to bring home a win for their university.

At a press conference held earlier today, the team captains expressed their confidence in their team’s ability to perform well in the tournament. The Lady Canons have been blessed with one of the best coaches in the country, and they are confident that they will perform well under his guidance.

Challenges

The UCU Lady Cardinals, despite facing some injuries, are also ready to take on the competition. Their captain, Nankya Shadia, assured their supporters that the injuries are manageable, and the team is eager to show their skills on the court.

The tournament promises to be an exciting event for basketball fans from across the country. With 13 teams competing for the title, there will be no shortage of talent and sportsmanship on display. The UCU Lady Canons are known for hosting competitive and exciting tournaments, and this one promise to be no different.

UCU invites basketball enthusiasts to come out and support their team and witness the talent and sportsmanship on display at this two-day invitational basketball tournament. With the support of their fans, the UCU Lady Canons are confident that they will bring home the win for their university.

By Jimmy Siyasa

Introduction

Many post-graduate students at Uganda Christian University (UCU) face the challenge of writing a research paper in English, which is not their first language. To help these students, UCU’s Directorate of Postgraduate Studies has initiated a program called the Centre for Research and Academic Writing Services (CRAWs). CRAWs offers online instruction on the various parts of a dissertation and thesis, led by a team of subject matter experts from UCU’s 11 school and faculty areas. The program is designed to introduce students to critical research and writing skills required to complete a research degree, diploma, publishable articles, and other academic reports.

Learning outcomes and Assessment

Learning outcomes of the program include identifying features of theoretical paradigms, undertaking a literature review, applying approaches to writing first drafts, editing and proofreading, identifying and responding to publication opportunities, and applying time management strategies. Participants who attend at least 75% of the training and complete an assessment requirement receive a certificate. The program is available without charge to all enrolled UCU post-graduate students.

The CRAWs module was launched in May of 2021 and has already had two successful iterations. The first module had 200 students enrolled, with 50 receiving certificates. The biggest challenge expressed by students was how to do problem statements and how to engage methodology. The second module was held in September and October 2022, covering topics such as theory, methodology, questions, objectives, and literature review. The program hopes to incorporate virtual coaching in the future.

DPS overall objective

All members of the DPS staff have advanced degrees and expertise in social science, development studies, and business. The program aims not just to help students finish their degrees but also to sharpen their skills to be used elsewhere and yield quality papers worthy of being published and used by other researchers. The analytical skills learned through the program are valuable in multiple careers.

The program’s organizers are dedicated to serving the students and believe in the importance of research and its ability to change the world. The program’s success has already helped many post-graduate students at UCU overcome language barriers and achieve their academic goals.

By Jimmy Siyasa

Uganda Christian University (UCU) has always been at the forefront of technology and innovation. The latest development from the Department of Computing and Technology has students and faculty excited about the potential impact it will have on the environment and agriculture industry. A team of students from the department has developed a robot prototype that tests soil temperature and soil samples’ humidity with accuracy.

This innovation is a result of a long-term project that aimed to create a device that would address the increasingly urgent issue of climate change. The device is equipped with sensors that detect the amount of water in the soil and send the data to a central database, which can then be accessed by farmers in the region. This data can be used to determine the appropriate amount of water that crops need, thereby reducing the amount of water that is wasted in irrigation.

The lead developer of the robot, Felix Kennedy Akorimo, who is now a Teaching Assistant, explains how the device works in a video posted on the UCU YouTube channel. The robot moves on wheels, with a metal arm that extends into the ground to take measurements of the soil humidity. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery, making it easy to use in remote locations.

One of the most significant benefits of the soil humidity robot is its potential impact on the agricultural industry in Uganda. Farmers in the region struggle with water scarcity, and the high cost of irrigation systems often make it difficult for them to keep their crops hydrated. With the robot, farmers can make more informed decisions about the amount of water their crops require, reducing water wastage and maximizing their yields.

In conclusion, the soil humidity robot developed by UCU students is a significant breakthrough in technology that has the potential to address the challenges that farmers face in Uganda. As the device is continually improved for efficiency, it is anticipated that it will become an essential tool in the fight against climate change and in promoting sustainable agriculture. UCU remains committed to driving innovation in technology and nurturing the next generation of leaders in the field.

New Book: Dralega, C.A., and Napakol, A. (eds). Health Crises and Media Discourses in Sub-Saharan Africa. Springer, Cham.

A Review

This is an open-access book that brings together leading scholars and critical discourses on political, economic, legal, technological, socio-cultural and systemic changes and continuities intersecting media and health crises in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

The volume extensively discusses COVID-19 but it also covers other epidemics, such as malaria, HIV/AIDS as well as “silent” health crises such as mental health—simmering across the subcontinent.

The chapters fill knowledge gaps, highlight innovations, and unpack the complexities surrounding the media ecosystem in times of health crises. They explore, among other issues, the politics of public health communication; infodemics; existential threats to media viability; draconian legislations; threats to journalists/journalism; COVID-related entrepreneurship, marginalization, and more.

This is a timely resource for academics, advocacy groups, media practitioners and policymakers working on crises and media reporting, not just in Africa but anywhere in the global South.

Foreword

…Some African responses on media and health issues are examined in this book by a whole new generation of public health communicators who are homegrown, African graduates, sometimes of international research and training collaborations, who are responding to their own particular national environments. Just as African scholarship and health campaign strategy can positively inform global approaches, the support of the big Northern publishers—in this case, Springer—is just as important. Where the earlier generation cut their teeth on HIV/AIDS, the new generation seems destined to deal with successive and increasingly intense and interrelated crises: health, climate change and environmental degradation. Thus this is one book that can speak intelligently to these issues from the perspective of the Global South. And, the task that they are taking on is herculean.Foreword by Keyan Gray Tomaselli– University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

The book cover and contents can be accessed here: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-95100-9

About the Editors

Dr. Carol Azungi Dralega is an Associate Professor and Head of Research at the Department of Journalism, Media and Communication, NLA University College, Kristiansand, Norway. She holds a Ph.D. in Media and Communication Studies from the University of Oslo, Norway.

Dr. Angella Napakol is a researcher and Senior Lecturer at the School of Journalism, Media and Communication, Uganda Christian University. She holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communication/Media Studies, from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.