By Kefa Senoga
As a young boy, Julius Izza Tabi gave his parents the confidence that his career destination would be one in the field of sciences. As such, Tabi’s father — Izza Soyi Severino —  encouraged his son to pursue a course in human medicine. Just imagine what went through the mind of Severino when his son told him he was not interested in becoming a doctor.

Tabi said he was feeling a different calling from God, one of pastoral ministry. At first, Severino thought the reason for his son’s change of heart was because he had not garnered the necessary grades to pursue a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. As such, he encouraged his son to repeat Senior Six, and that he was ready to pay the tuition. Tabi had sat his Senior Six exams at Metu Senior Secondary School in Moyo district, northern Uganda.

However, Tabi, who is now the director of the Uganda Christian University Arua Campus, said his heart was elsewhere. Fortunately, the son did not have to convince his father to pay tuition for a course he didn’t think was right. When Tabi enrolled at Lake Victoria Christian Centre for a diploma in Christian ministries, he was on full bursary. 

At the end of the one-year course, Tabi not only returned home with his diploma, he also emerged as the best student in the cohort.

Upon graduating with a Diploma in Christian Ministry, Tabi continued with youth ministry activities in the church. It was during this time that he and Severino agreed that the former should return to school and get a second qualification. 

Tabi is the sixth born in a family of nine children. His father, Severino, was a primary school headteacher and his mother, Asianzo Catherine, a housewife.

Tabi thus pursued a Diploma in Education at the National Teachers’ College, Muni, where he specialized in Chemistry and Biology. Upon qualification, Tabi was employed at Usindi Secondary School in Arua, northwestern Uganda. 

Teaching in close proximity to the UCU Arua Campus led Tabi to become part of the UCU community. In 2011, he was admitted for a Bachelor of Divinity at UCU under the Ma’di-West  Nile Diocese scholarship. That same year, Tabi married Oliver Driciru, with whom he has three children — two boys and one girl.  

At his graduation in 2014, the Rev. Tabi’s grades earned him the accolade of second-best student. The best student at the graduation was Jonathan Tumwebaze, now also a staff member at UCU. 

Tabi’s outstanding performance persuaded Joel Obetia, the Bishop of Madi-West Nile Diocese at the time, to post him to UCU Arua Campus as the Assistant Chaplain in October 2014. That officially marked the start of Tabi’s association with UCU as a member of staff.

The following year, he was given extra roles when he was appointed a tutorial assistant in the Department of Theology. He later pursued a Master of Philosophy in Religion, Society and Global Issues from the Norwegian School of Theology in Oslo. Upon Tabi’s return from Oslo, he was promoted to Assistant Lecturer. In 2018, he was appointed the institution’s Dean of Students.  

Three years later, in September 2021, the Rev. Tabi was appointed the acting director of the campus, a position he was confirmed into after the campus went through the requisite process of hiring the position holder.

In an interview that Tabi granted Uganda Partners in August this year, he enumerated his areas of focus as infrastructural development, elevating the campus into a constituent college, a massive student recruitment strategy, beautification of the environment and infrastructure, implementation of the multi-billion masterplan project, development of an endowment project and a staff recruitment plan.  

This year, the campus marked 20 years of being part of the UCU family and 64 years of being a training institute. Before the campus was made a theological college and part of UCU in 2003, it was offering diploma and certificate courses in theology and also training Lay Readers in the region. 

The nature of Tabi’s job means he always has a full plate. However, he says his wife is the reason he has been able to fulfill the demands of his office because she has been “filling for him whenever needed, especially when it comes to family matters.”

By Irene Best Nyapendi
Uganda Christian University (UCU) witnessed a momentous occasion today, November 21, 2023, as the 26th Guild Government officials were formally sworn in. The ceremony was graced by the University Vice-Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, who pledged to support the newly elected leadership.

Mushengyezi commended the university community for conducting a peaceful and successful election at both the Main and Kampala campuses. He expressed his pride in UCU’s history of peaceful student guild elections.
The swearing-in ceremony was a result of a transparent and inclusive electoral process, with students casting their votes electronically using the innovative eChagua platform. This technology-driven approach enhanced accessibility and convenience, enabling students to participate seamlessly from anywhere with an internet connection.

The newly elected Guild President, Birungi Agira, won with a total vote of 1156 against her opponent, Emmanuel Abura who got 1023 votes.

Agira together with other newly elected leaders took an oath in front of the UCU community. They vowed to preserve, protect and defend the Guild Constitution.
Agira expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve the UCU community. “I am humbled for the opportunity to serve and I’m excited about the possibilities that lie ahead,” Agira said with a wide smile on her face.
She reaffirmed her commitment to the election campaign slogan, “Inclusivity in Action,” pledging to make an impact on the lives of all UCU students.
Timothy Okurut, the newly elected Member of Parliament for the School of Journalism, Media and Communication, expressed his enthusiasm for contributing to UCU’s development.
“The love I’m getting from my friends is overwhelming,” Okurut added. “I see this
leadership position as a great opportunity for me to have an impact on the university.”

The university vice chancellor further applauded the 25th guild government for setting a high standard of service and collaboration. He urged the new members and university at large to continue setting an exemplary standard for what a truly cool campus should embody.
“Let’s continue being a peaceful university setting an example for what a cool campus looks like. Soon, we shall launch a campus renewal that will see UCU be the best university south of the Sahara,” Mushengyezi said.

UCU unveils exciting campus renewal plans

He also announced a comprehensive campus renewal initiative, to further enhance the student experience and foster a vibrant campus environment.

“Soon we shall launch a campus renewal intiative that will see UCU be the best university south of the Sahara,” declared Mushengyezi.
The project will encompass the construction of a state-of-the-art food court, and tarmacking the road along the main gate, eliminating the longstanding inconvenience endured by students during rainy seasons.
Mushengyezi mentioned that UCU is a model institution, 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.
The students and staff alike are excited about the future and look forward to the positive changes that the new guild government will bring.
The 25th guild government will formally hand over to their successors on November 30, marking the beginning of a new era of leadership and service at UCU.

By Pauline Luba
Years ago, when Brig. Gen. Abdul Rugumayo, a member of Uganda’s army, completed Senior Four, he could not proceed to A’level. He said he did not have the money that was needed for school fees. 

As a result, he registered to teach as a non-qualified teacher in a primary school in Uganda, so he could save some money for further education. He eventually saved the money and was able to complete school. 

What a coincidence that Rugumayo, the Deputy Director of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence — the intelligence arm of Uganda’s army — was the one invited to flag off a run organized to raise funds for tuition for needy students of Uganda Christian University (UCU). 

“This activity is something very close to my heart, especially when someone is about to do their exams,” Rugumayo said, as he narrated his personal story, before adding: “To give is not because you have. To give is because you share.” 

The run, which covered six kilometers (three miles) around Mukono in central Uganda, took place on October 21, 2023. Organized by UCU student leaders, the event began at 7 a.m. with participants engaging in aerobic exercises before the actual race at 8 a.m.

“I come from a family that would have required this type of arrangement during my time as a student,” said Rugumayo, who has served in the army for the past 35 years. He handed over Sh3 million (about $800) as contribution from the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence. He also promised to contribute sh2million (about $530) and commended the student leaders for identifying the military as a partner in trying to support society.

UCU Guild Run Flagged Off by Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga

Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge East African Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, was the main guest of the day.

“I’m glad that the tradition has been maintained and that the young people are growing up as philanthropists. It’s very easy for one not to care about others because their tuition fees have been paid,” said Kadaga, a former Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament. She flagged off the maiden UCU guild run in 2020 and has been keeping tabs on the subsequent races. For the 2020 run, among the donors was Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who contributed sh80million (about $21,250). At the October 21 event, Kadaga pledged to donate sh10million (about $2,700) towards the cause.

UCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi thanked runners for participating in a cause aimed at supporting needy students with tuition. Mushengyezi pledged sh3million (about $800) from the Office of the Vice Chancellor. Pamela Tumwebaze, the acting head of the Directorate of Student Affairs at UCU, pledged to contribute sh1million ($264). All participants in the race bought running kits — either a vest at sh20,000 (about $5.3) or a T-shirt at sh30,000 (about $8),  which they wore on the day of the run. By the end of the event, sh24,000,000 ($6,400) had been collected in cash and pledges.

The proceeds are expected to be handed over to the student leaders who organized the run and they will, thereafter, distribute to students facing financial difficulties. 

By Irene Best Nyapendi
The Church of Uganda is celebrating two milestones. The double commemoration is about East Busoga, Uganda’s newest diocese, which was inaugurated on November 19, 2023, and, the same event, the consecration of Rt. Rev. Paul Hannington Suubi and his enthronment as its first bishop. East Busoga became the country’s 39th diocese of the Anglican Church after approval by the provincial assembly in August 2022. 

His Grace, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and Chancellor of Uganda Christian University (UCU), blessed the twin celebration at Stephen’s Cathedral in eastern Uganda’s Bugiri district. The event was marked under the theme: To proclaim the gospel in accordance with Christ’s commission to make disciples of all nations.

“I, Stephen, by divine permission, Archbishop of Church of Uganda, do now declare that East Busoga has been duly inaugurated as the 39th diocese in the province of the Church of Uganda with its headquarters at St. Stephen’s Bugiri, in the name of God the father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit,” Kaziimba declared.

Kaziimba consecrated Suubi and urged him to heed to reading the Bible, exhortation and doctrine.

“Think upon the things contained in this book,” he counseled. “Be diligent in them that the increase coming thereby may be manifest unto all people.”

The archbishop asked Suubi to take good care of the flock.

“Be to the flock of Christ a shepherd, not a wolf; feed them, and devour them not,” Kaziimba said. “Hold up the weak, heal the sick, bind up the broken and be so merciful, that you be not too remiss, minister discipline that you forget not mercy; that when the chief shepherd shall appear you may receive the never fading crown of glory.”

He dedicated the new cathedral and presented to Suubi the episcopal staff, which he said was of big significance in pastoral duties.

During the service, Suubi took an oath of true and canonical obedience to the archbishop and declared his commitment to uphold the constitution of the Church of Uganda. He affirmed his readiness to resign if requested by a two-thirds majority of diocesan bishops. He pledged utmost dedication to the responsibilities entrusted to him.

“I, Paul Hannington Suubi, swear that I will pay true and canonical obedience to the archbishop of the church of the province of Uganda, in all things lawful and honest. So, help me God,” Suubi vowed.

He promised to respect, maintain and defend the rights of the church and diocese, serving with truth, justice and charity. He committed to observing the diocesan provisions and summoning the Synod at regular intervals

Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, the Vice-Chancellor of UCU and former classmate of Suubi, congratulated him on his elevation to the bishopric. Reflecting on their shared school days, Mushengyezi remarked that Suubi’s leadership qualities were evident even then during their early school days, making his appointment no surprise.

 “As someone who went to school with you, I am particularly very thrilled to see God elevate you to such a high calling to shepherd his people,” Mushengyezi said.

UCU Strengthens Ties with East Busoga Diocese in Anglican Church

UCU pledged continued commitment in training clergy of the diocese on scholarship. 

On behalf of UCU, Mushengyezi gifted Suubi with UGX 1,000,000 (about $265) and an iPad Pro for his work.

Suubi said as bishop, his focus areas will be: evangelism and discipleship; family, youth and children’s ministry; education (schools and colleges); environment management; and development, health and human resource.

“We shall develop a diocesan staff development policy to guide us in evolving a God-fearing, competent, well-motivated and professional human resource,” Suubi said. 

He also noted that as a diocese, they will carefully select young educated youth for theological training to become clergy in order to address the demand. 

The bishop said he was concerned about the Church of Uganda educational institutions whose standards are wanting due to high teacher-pupil ratios, lack of furniture and space.

As a way of addressing staffing and scholastic needs at the church schools in eastern Uganda, Suubi pledged to work with the authorities to “strengthen the management and administration of our schools and colleges, sensitize parents and guardians about their roles and responsibilities.”

Suubi holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Divinity from Makerere University and a Diploma in Education. He also attained certificates in leadership and public administration and management from Makerere University and Haggai Institute, Singapore.

He has been married to Margret Stella for close to 29 years. Together, they have three children.

By Kefa Senoga
What would you do about a son who turns down a job offer after graduating with a veterinary medicine degree, preferring to return to school to become a priest? In 1986, that was the dilemma of the father of Edison Kalengyo. His son, now the Rev. Can Prof. Kalengyo, had just completed a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine, a four-year course, at Uganda’s Makerere University. Kalengyo had even received an appointment letter, dated June 20, 1986, from the Ministry of Animal Industry and Fisheries.

Despite his fresh qualification, Kalengyo’s heart was elsewhere. He felt compelled to answer God’s call to become a priest, prompting him to join Bishop Tucker Theological College in 1986. The college, now known as part of  Uganda Christian University (UCU), in Mukono, is where Kalengyo pursued a bachelor’s degree in divinity. This was after going through a stringent process of selecting candidates for the ordained ministry by South Rwenzori Diocese, his home diocese.

Along the way, Kalengyo’s family kept questioning his decision. For instance, his father, who was a trained lay reader in the Church of Uganda, knew fully well that the economic prospects for priests were not encouraging. In the extended family, Kalengyo had been the first person to graduate with a degree. As such, many people looked up to him. But he stuck to God’s call on his life to the ordained ministry.

After his course at Bishop Tucker Theological College, the Rev. Kalengyo served in South Ruwenzori as a curate in the cathedral before moving on to serve as a diocesan secretary and, eventually, an archdeacon.   

In 1997, the principal of Bishop Tucker Theological College, Bishop Eliphaz Maari, invited Kalengyo to join the staff of the college, following the recruitment process. He obliged. Since December 1997, UCU has been Kalengyo’s “home.”  He currently serves as Professor of New Testament and Coordinator of Biblical Studies and Languages in the Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology.

Why Dr. Kalengyo Prefers Teaching at UCU to Higher Leadership Positions

He says teaching theology at UCU goes beyond a mere salary. He believes that the true significance lies in knowing that he is fulfilling God’s calling on his life, and that this is what brings him reward and fulfillment.

Kalengyo has refrained from considering higher leadership positions within the church before, even when such opportunities presented themselves, in preference for his job of training church leaders. His extensive theological expertise and deep-rooted academic grounding make Kalengyo’s job of teaching church ministers one easy for him to execute. In addition to the 64-year-old’s bachelor’s degree in divinity, he also holds a Master of Philosophy in the New Testament from Nottingham University in the United Kingdom (UK) and a PhD in Theology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.

Another reason for Kalengyo’s stay in theological education is his wife, who explained to him that by teaching church ministers, he was serving the entire province as opposed to being a bishop who serves mainly his diocese.

Because of this, Kalengyo says he is always happy and believes he has fulfilled his purpose in life whenever he meets his former students who have taken up church leadership roles. 

Kalengyo says his guiding principle has always been that every theological educator should be a pastor and actively participate in church life. For this reason, he once voluntarily served as an auxiliary member of the pastoral team at St. Philip’s Cathedral in Mukono and was the first Chaplain of St Luke’s Chapel Butabika. He also has served as a priest at St Luke’s Church Ntinda and was Priest-in-Charge All Saints Chapel Lweza.

He says he now pastors a group of about 400 Christians from his home diocese who reside in and around Kampala. The Christians gather for worship once every month. He said he also performs baptisms and helps to prepare couples for marriage.

Kalengyo and his wife, Dorothy, will celebrate their 36^th marriage anniversary on December 12, this year. They have three adult children — two boys and one girl — and they are all married. From the three children, the Kalengyos have got five grandchildren.

Born in 1958 in Kasese district, western Uganda, to Hosiah and Elizabeth Katsiotho, Kalengyo completed his primary education at Karambi Primary School before joining St Edward’s Bukumi Secondary School for O’level and Ntare School for A’level. Both Bukuumi and Ntare are located in western Uganda.

By Irene Best Nyapendi
Prof. Christopher Byaruhanga, the dean at Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology, is the inaugural chairperson of the ethics committee for universities and tertiary institutions. The newly created body by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) is tasked with creating ethical rules for universities and tertiary institutions as required by the law.

Prof. Byaruhanga leads the six-person committee, which includes Dr. Annette Kezaabu, UCU’s head of research and postgraduate studies. The others are Dr. Olive Lunyolo (secretary),  higher education officer at NCHE; Dr. Rev. Canon Aaron Mwesigye, director for ethics in charge of religious affairs, Directorate for Ethics and Integrity; Ibban Iddih Kasozi, an Imam and lecturer at Islamic University in Uganda; and Dr. Betty Bukenya Nambuusi, Higher Education Officer at NCHE.

Dr. Kezaabu announced the initiation of the committee “to develop basic ethical standards for higher education” in an Aug. 29 post on X (formerly Twitter).The ethical standards are designed to ensure that higher education institutions in Uganda operate with integrity, accountability and professionalism.

“These standards will provide a safe environment and maintain the highest level of professional behavior, Dr. Kezaabu said. “If implemented well, the standards will not only create and maintain an atmosphere of trust and respect but also preserve the integrity of science and research.”

The ethics committee’s primary focus is to create a handbook outlining ethical standards and guidelines for institutions of higher learning and their members. The handbook, expected to be completed by early 2024, will regulate and promote ethical behavior for the country’s higher education.

The ethics committee will look at how institutions do research and focus on issues such as employee behavior and relationships with students, colleagues and the community. 

“There are a number of pressing challenges faced by students and staff at universities because of lack of morals,” Prof. Byaruhanga said. “I have heard of cases where the lecturer prevents a PhD student from graduating because he is afraid that the student will take away his job; this should stop.”

One of the challenges facing higher education in Uganda that Byaruhanga wants to address is academic dishonesty, including cheating during exams and unethical behavior by lecturers. To tackle this, he stressed the importance of transparency and fairness in the academic processes.

“As part of my contribution to the handbook, I am focusing on academic integrity and ethical research, intellectual honesty, accuracy, transparency, among others, because knowledge can only be contributed through research,” he said. “It ought to be done right.”

UCU Professor Spearheads Ethical Research Guidelines

Prof. Byaruhanga decried lecturers who don’t conduct research following the prescribed moral standards. He said in some cases, lecturers don’t get consent from participants.

He said the committee hopes to address proper research methods in the handbook through outlining ethical standards and guidelines that ought to be followed. 

“I am working on having this handbook finished and I hope it will be implemented,” he said. Once NCHE approves the handbook, we expect everyone to follow these guidelines. We must foster a culture of respect for ethical conduct”.

Prof. Byaruhanga is dedicated to striking a balance between enforcing ethical standards and maintaining academic freedom. He emphasized that academic freedom should operate within the framework of ethical guidelines and national education policies.

“Most of what we are looking at is already implemented by some universities; for such, this is to remind them,” he said.

UCU students and staff will benefit first hand because Prof. Byaruhanga will personally and directly supervise the implementation of the required ethical guidelines and standards through his physical presence at the university. 

“Being a member of the senate, I will have a voice there,” Prof. Byaruhanga said. “We also have the ethics committee; I will ask them to read the hand book.”

Prof. Byaruhanga is one of the longest-serving professors at UCU, having joined in September 1997. From 2000-2002, he was the dean of the Faculty of Humanity and Social Sciences, which was the only faculty then. 2003-2006, he was the dean of the Faculty of Education, Arts and Social Science. In 2011-2016, he was the dean of the School of Research and Post-Graduate Studies. Since 2018 to present, he has been the Dean of Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology. 

After the handbook has been developed, it will be shared with stakeholders, including university representatives, public figures and vice-chancellors. It is hoped that by involving diverse voices, the handbook’s ethical standards will be thorough and effective.