By Irene Best Nyapendi

In a groundbreaking achievement, Uganda Christian University (UCU) marked the culmination of its transformative project, the Development of Academic Curricula on Sustainable Energies and Green Economy in Africa (DALILA), with a final conference held on December 4, 2023. Under the theme “Sustainability in Investment; The Role of Renewable Energy,”

The event showcased the success of a collaborative effort involving partners from Europe, Zanzibar, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Initiated in 2020 and funded by the Education, Audio-Visual, and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) of the European Union, DALILA aimed to address the critical need for sustainable energy solutions in Africa. UCU, along with Uganda Martyrs University (UMU), the University of Dodoma (UDOM), and the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA), joined forces with international partners such as Sapienza University of Rome, the University of Cadiz, Sahara Ventures, and INOMA Renovables, among others.

UCU’s Renewable Energy Lab Opens Doors to Innovation

One of the notable outcomes of the DALILA project is the establishment of a renewable energy laboratory at UCU, thanks to a consortium Euro grant. This grant facilitated the creation of six new courses on “Renewable Technologies” and “Green Business Creation and Development” across universities in Tanzania and Uganda. The initiative not only filled a critical skills gap but also fostered collaborative research, creating multidisciplinary links between academia and industry.

Prof. Cipri Katiuscia, the DALILA project coordinator, emphasized the project’s broader goals, aiming to support the modernization and accessibility of higher education in Uganda and Tanzania. The collaboration successfully resulted in the development of the postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Business and Renewable Energy Technologies at UCU, graduating its pioneer class in October 2023.

Vincent Kisenyi, the Director of Academic Affairs, highlighted the practical nature of the postgraduate diploma, emphasizing its role in addressing unemployment and providing access to renewable energy opportunities. The programme’s success is evident in the tangible benefits realized by UCU, including enhanced collaboration with renewable energy stakeholders and increased applied research in the field.

Despite Uganda’s heavy reliance on renewable energy at a macro level, the micro-level utilization remains underexploited due to the prohibitive cost of the national hydroelectric power grid. DALILA, through its two-faculty collaboration, aims to bridge this gap by continuing research connected to renewable energy and focusing on innovative solutions for small, medium, and starting businesses.

Engineer Simon Peter Sekitoleko, from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), acknowledged Uganda’s energy challenges and outlined the government’s commitment to a sustainable approach. MEMD has revised Uganda’s energy policy, setting ambitious targets to increase generation capacity and boost the share of renewables to over 95% by 2040.

“As the nation embraces cleaner energy sources, UCU’s role in offering a postgraduate diploma in sustainable business and renewable energy is recognized as a crucial step in building capacity and turning graduates into job creators,” Sekitoleko said.

The DALILA Project, as highlighted by Peter Lugemwa, a lecturer at Uganda Martyrs University, emphasizes the transformative benefits of renewable energy. Lugemwa calls for ongoing research and development to enhance the efficiency of emerging renewable energy technologies, paving the way for a future where reliance on exhaustible resources is minimized.

Ronald Mayanja, a DALILA Project beneficiary, presented a paper he did on the socio-economic impact of the ban on the illegal charcoal trade in Northern Uganda. His research sheds light on the challenges faced by affected communities, emphasizing the need for evidence-based policy decisions.

“The outcomes of my research indicate that the ban on the charcoal trade has adversely affected local communities in Northern Uganda, resulting in job cuts, diminished income, and heightened poverty levels,” Mayanja said.

Mayanja suggests implementing targeted social assistance initiatives specifically tailored for women engaged in charcoal resale and promoting community involvement to develop collaborative solutions.

Four UCU students, including Mayanja, are part of the 10-member pioneer class that studied a one-year Post Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Business and Renewable Energy. They undertook a one-month internship in Spain and Italy, sponsored by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.

Focused on renewable energy, they observed and learned from European practices, gaining practical experience and forming valuable connections for future collaborations in advancing Uganda’s energy transition. The internship included visits to solar and hydropower plants, hands-on experiments, and exposure to sustainable waste management research.

Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, the Rev. Assoc. Prof. John M. Kitayimbwa, expressed gratitude to all the partners for the wonderful work.

“We want to thank DALILA and all the partners for their wonderful work. There are certain things we will never forget about this DALILA project, like our postgraduate diploma in sustainable and renewable energy that was developed as a result of this,” Kitayimbwa said.

Solid waste management is a major challenge in sub-Saharan Africa in general, and its food waste component is high and increasing with the rapidly increasing population.

Survey data (class p1) collected from households, hotels, restaurants, schools and produce markets were analysed using descriptive and logistic regression analyses for insights into the types and amounts of food waste, and respondents’ attitudes and practices towards its collection, disposal and alternative uses.

Households produce the highest amounts of food waste compared to institutions (hotels, schools and restaurants) and produce markets. In a week, about 96, 72, and 93% of all the respondents in households, institutions and produce markets respectively experienced food waste at least one to three times.

On average, with a solid waste collection coverage of 45%, households, institutions and markets in Kampala can respectively supply 680, 80, and 8 t of food waste daily. Moulding, poor food storage, food leftovers, food expiry and excess food produce were the major reasons for condemning food to waste.

Over 90% of the respondents recognized food waste as a problem, and as a resource especially for use in livestock feed production, and were willing to consume house crickets raised on feed from food waste.

Lower levels of education (none, primary and secondary levels), unemployment, and being divorced at household level were positively associated with recognizing food waste as a resource [X² (21, N = 209) = 137.77, p =  < 0.0001] and re-use for alternative purposes [X² (21, N = 209) = 47.44, p = 0.001] by households and institutions [X² (14, N = 92) = 30.97, p =  < 0.019]. Majority of the respondents were willing to donate food waste, especially married people and institutions that have been in existence for a period of 5–10 years.

To read the full article, visit this link: https://sustainenvironres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42834-023-00195-6

Authors and Affiliations

1. Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Uganda Christian University, Mukono, 31204, UgandaGeoffrey Ssepuuya
2. Department of Food Science and Technology, Kyambogo University, Kampala, 10308, UgandaGeoffrey Ssepuuya
3. Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, Uganda Christian University, Mukono, 31204, UgandaElsie Nsiyona
4. Department of Natural Resource Economics, Busitema University, Namasagali, 20217, UgandaMoses Kakungulu
5. Department of Linguistics, English Language Services & Communication Skills, Makerere University, Kampala, 20217, UgandaJane Frances Alowo
6. Department of Agriculture, Uganda Christian University, Mukono, 31204, UgandaPaul Nampala

For more information on research at UCU, visit this link: https://grants.ucu.ac.ug/

By Pauline Luba
It is unusual for a medical student to show an interest in farming. Yet, that is what Samantha Ainembabazi, working towards the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the Uganda Christian University (UCU), did and more. 

She diversified her knowledge and skill into an innovation that she thinks could be a game changer for Uganda’s small-scale farmers and received a cash prize for the idea.  The 23-year-old, final-year student on the Kampala campus was given a sh10million (about $2,640) grant to help her refine her idea and actualize it. 

UCU Ainembabazi’s innovation: preserves fruits and vegetables extending shelf life by 30 days

Ainembabazi’s innovation, Frezo Nano Technologies, which she submitted to the Ayute Africa Challenge 2023,   preserves fruits and vegetables by releasing a safe organic formulation extending shelf life by 30 days. 

Ayute Africa Challenge Uganda identifies agricultural and innovative tech ideas with the potential to address the challenges of smallholder farmers in Uganda, such as strengthening food security and improving production, income, resilience and access to finance.

And the support goes beyond awarding the agri-tech innovators. A team of expert advisors supports the winners to actualize their ideas to impact the lives of smallholder farmers. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, more than 70% of people in Uganda work in agriculture, and the country has more than three-and-a-half million family farms.

This year’s Ayute Africa Challenge, organized by Heifer International, a not-for-profit organization that supports local farmers in Uganda, featured 189 participants. The contestants were taken through an incubator program to gain deeper insight into how to scale up their businesses, ensure sustainability, and attain financial management skills. 

Ainembabazi believes the innovation that took her and her co-founder, Mugisha Arnold Gift, two years to develop will help reduce post-harvest losses among farmers. Frezo Nano Technologies inhibits the activity of phospholipase D, an enzyme responsible for the deterioration of membranes of fruits, giving them an extended shelf life.

Statistics indicate that poor practices in harvest and postharvest handling lead to a loss of 22% of the harvested produce and a further 17% loss of the output value.  

“We hope to reach every small-scale farmer, and eventually every household to help in the preservation of fruits and vegetables,” said Ainembabazi, whose innovation was the second runner-up in this year’s challenge. 

Simon Peter Okoci, who built an innovation that uses an automated temperature and light regulation system in brooders, was the overall winner. For this feat, he walked home with a cash prize of sh35million (about $9,230). The first runner-up, Willy Katumwa, who invented a fish feeding technology that automates feeding based on fish needs, received sh25 million (about $6,600).

The Heifer Uganda Country Director, William Matovu, said they aim to build a community of agri-tech innovators that can accelerate meaningful impact for smallholder farmers.

“Heifer Uganda believes that the future of Africa’s agriculture hinges on creating opportunities for young innovators to transform the agricultural landscape,” Matovu said at the awards gala held late October 2023.

Last year’s top winners of the challenge, according to Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, Uganda’s minister for agriculture, have already created jobs for 25 youths, with their innovations serving over 200 farmers in Uganda.

By Patty Huston-Holm

Kasule Kibirige believes in Jesus.

A guy he met on November 15, 2023, believes in UFOs (Unidentified Foreign Objects) and Sasquatch, also known as “Big Foot.” 

After a quick handshake, the man, donned in a baseball cap embroidered with the Sasquatch name, asserted that USA government data verifies the existence of alien life (i.e., UFOs) and many videos from average people authenticate that a large hairy creature is walking his big feet around North American forests. Kasule listened without prejudice during the five minutes that the man in the hat espoused his views that were new to Kasule and what some more familiar consider fictitious and as the sun was setting outside the Cedarville, Ohio, Sunset Inn and Suites.  

That’s what social workers, especially those who are Christian, do. 

“Social work has a value base similar to Christian faith,” said Kasule, head of undergraduate studies, School of Social Sciences, Uganda Christian University (UCU), since 2016. “Social work is a program of study that includes accepting others without judging them.”

The profession is much more, of course. The Webster dictionary defines social work as a field with “activities or methods concretely concerned with providing social services and especially with the investigation,  treatment and material aid of the economically, physically, mentally or socially disadvantaged.” 

The brief, unexpected encounter with the Sasquatch-UFO follower – who also might have shared his religious beliefs had he remained longer – provided an example of implementing social work skills outside the confines of a dictionary or textbook, according to Kasule, who learned of these topics for the first time in his three-week, November trip to the USA.  It was his first visit to Ohio and second trip to the United States. While waiting to have dinner with faculty at Cedarville University, he shared other illustrations, including his early recognition of how listening and observing make a difference in the field of social work. 

“Most students come to universities directly from high school,” Kasule said. “I didn’t.”

Without sufficient funds, or academic marks to

garner a government scholarship grant, Kasule first enrolled in vocational training. Using his tertiary knowledge and skill, he was employed as a welder in a small-scale steel fabrication factory that made machines like the ones used in the agro-processing industry. He later saw social workers in action when working for a child-focused non-profit organization in Kampala,  Uganda.  

“Choosing social work was largely inspired by that life-changing opportunity of  working with a non-governmental organization that helped disadvantaged, urban out-of-school children,” Kasule said. 

From 2001 to 2007, Kasule received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from the University of Botswana in Africa. Since 2008, he’s been a social work faculty member at UCU and participated in numerous community engagements, both integrated in fieldwork supervision of students’ practicums and community service, researching to enhance teaching and leading social work curriculum at UCU.  In addition to these roles, he has collaborated with Lisa Tokpa of UCU’s Uganda Studies Program (USP), a semester-long course of study for American university students. The goal in collaborating is to create mutual benefit among their two programs at the university, including research, co-teaching, social work supervisor trainings, and cross-cultural student groups.

“My major interest is to contribute to improving the quality of social work educational experiences for both students and faculty,” Kasule said. “I continuously seek to engage with colleagues who share this passion through collaborations – in international field education, co-teaching and learning, and applied research.”

The main objective of Kasule’s November visit to the United States was expanded collaboration. He spoke and listened during the North American Association of Christians in Social Work Convention 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pa.; engaged with educators and students at two USA universities that have been involved with the USP in the two decades of the program’s existence; and spoke with the Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri at St. John’s Episcopal Church, St. Louis, Mo. In the state of Pennsylvania, he visited Grove City College. In Ohio, he spent two days at Cedarville University. In Missouri, he met with social work faculty at St. Louis University. 

Since 2004, students from more than 100 American Christian universities, as well as those from a smaller number of secular universities have participated in the UCU-USP four-month curriculum that is largely focused on social work. Most USP-sending universities are associated with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, which represents more than 180 higher education institutions.  

“My key initiatives are local and international,” Kasule said. “Locally, UCU social work and USP social work emphasize cross-cultural learning groups. Internationally, there is the exchange with universities outside Uganda.”

UCU Lecturer Promotes Global Collaboration for Cross-Cultural Learning

Kasule has seen first-hand the academic and cultural value for American students spending a semester of study at UCU, as well as a more recent collaboration that has UCU students studying at Hanze University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. He would like to see more United States higher education opportunities for Ugandan students and faculty.

“Cross cultural conversations have infinite value,” said Kasule, who has two children, ages 4 and 7, with his wife, Grace, a pediatrician currently engaged in clinical research. “We have our own perceptions about Christianity and social problems in Uganda. You have yours.” 

Besides its spiritual redemption and religious values for the majority of Ugandans, Christian virtues also are an important reference for promising hope; and a practical framework when integrated into curriculum.

While partnership benefits are readily acknowledged, money is a barrier for an equal exchange because Ugandans have fewer resources than Americans. But it’s an obstacle that can be overcome.

“There is the possibility of grants, but we don’t expect our partners to throw money at a problem,” Kasule said. “Rather, we seek mutually-beneficial collaboration.” He pointed to the internet with possibilities for co-teaching and co-research, especially since all UCU post-graduate programs are now online. 

David Hodge, distinguished professor, School of Social Work, Arizona State University, is among USA social work partners who have come to UCU. In 2021, Dr. Hodge and Kasule co-published a paper addressing academic research inequalities between Sub-Saharan faculty and their counterparts in the West, and planned more related to how spirituality can be used in assessment until Covid drove Hodge home earlier than planned. As 2023 comes to a close, this later project is being revived.

“Even for non-believers, Christian principles and similar intervention strategies can be applied,” said Kasule, reflecting on some work he has embarked on with partners fighting against child sacrifice, in Uganda.  According to census data, 82 percent of Ugandans are Christian. In the USA, 63 percent identify as believers in Jesus Christ. 

Kasule sees Christian faith playing an integral part for worker efforts to rebuilding community resilience, prevention and mitigation of social struggles, such as domestic violence, mental illness and children not in school. Loneliness issues for people of all ages also is a current focus both in Uganda and the United States, he said.

Enabling university faculty and students to experience multiple cultures is key, according to Kasule.  Opportunities for faculty to engage in more practice-academics (pra-academics) and collaborative projects would not only improve teaching and learning effectiveness but also will certainly improve service users’ overall  outcomes. 

“We need to engage agencies as partners, teachers and students as learners,” he said. “We learn so much from each other to help others.”

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.