Uganda Christian University (UCU) has kicked off the new academic year with a two-day leadership orientation for Guild Leaders from all its campuses at it’s main campus in Mukono. The event, held at the Main Campus in Mukono, aims to equip student leaders with essential skills to navigate the challenges of leadership and drive positive change.

The orientation tackled common obstacles that can hinder leadership success, including self-doubt, fear of failure, and conflict management.

Expert facilitators led interactive sessions to empower student leaders with practical strategies to overcome these challenges.

UCU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi urged the students to strike a balance between their academic pursuits and leadership roles, emphasizing the importance of staying focused on their core university objectives.
“Don’t forget the primary duty for which your parents sent you here,” he reminded them.

Professor Mushengyezi also emphasized the university’s dedication to improving student life through innovative programs, including the Campus Transformation Initiative.

Prof. Mushengyezi stressed that UCU is committed to providing top-notch facilities and services to its students. This includes renovating halls of residence to enhance living conditions and upgrading infrastructure across all campuses.

He also encouraged student leaders to set their sights on national and international leadership roles, inspiring them to become influential figures in Uganda’s parliament and beyond.

Mr. Vincent Kisenyi concluded with a powerful reminder, urging the leaders to prioritize serving others rather than seeking personal gain.

Wilbrod Kakuru, a participating student leader, shared his reflections on the program, stating, “These sessions enhance our leadership knowledge and teach us how to address student challenges effectively.”

Guild President Samantha Akankunda Mwesigye thanked the Vice-Chancellor and university management for their support and commitment to improving student life.
“On behalf of the students, we thank you so much for the knowledge and ideas you have shared with us. We promise to implement what you’ve shared and ensure UCU remains the center of excellence in the heart of Africa,” she said.

Mwesigye also commended the administration for the ongoing infrastructure improvements, noting that the improved roads have alleviated previous inconveniences for students.
 “We no longer need to move with shoe polish because all the roads are being worked on,” she quipped.

Compiled by: Andrew Bugembe

Edited by: Irene Best Nyapendi

With only one day left to the 13th Eastern Africa University Games at Maseno University in Kenya, the Uganda Christian University (UCU) team is intensifying its preparations to compete at the regional level.

After finishing second in the 2023 Association of Ugandan University Sports (AUUS) Games, Team UCU enters the competition as one of the top contenders, aiming for even greater success.

UCU will be represented by 150 athletes across 13 sports, including netball, football (men’s and women’s), basketball (men’s & women’s), volleyball (men’s & women’s), athletics (track and field), chess, rugby, table/lawn tennis, swimming, woodball, and badminton.

The university teams are especially confident going into the Games after securing gold in the women’s football, basketball (both men and women), and volleyball categories at the AUUS Games.

“We are fully prepared and eager to take on the best in the region. Our teams have been working hard to ensure we bring our A-game to East Africa,” said Sam Lukaire, Head of UCU Sports.

These teams will be supported by 27 officials, who will ensure smooth logistics, team management, and athlete welfare throughout the games. With such a well-rounded team, UCU aims to win in both team and individual events.

As we countdown days to the onset of the games, , UCU teams are finalizing preparations. Coaches are focusing on perfecting game strategies, boosting endurance, and ensuring mental readiness for the upcoming games. Team captains and athletes are confident, and eager to represent their university and country on the regional stage.

“We have trained hard, and we know we are ready. Our focus is to perform to the best of our abilities and make UCU proud,” said Sharif Oripa, Captain Athlete, UCU.

The 2024 Eastern Africa University Games will be held from December 16 to 20, bringing together universities from East Africa to compete in various sports. UCU is determined to build on its strong AUUS performance and prove itself as not only a Centre of Excellence in the Heart of Africa but also one of the top universities in sports in the region.

By Irene Best Nyapendi
In 2022, residents of Karusandara in Kasese, a district in western Uganda, threatened to boycott an election that the Government was organizing. Their reason? The Government had been silent on their plight for a long time. They accused the government of dishonesty, claiming that the people were often misled by “empty promises”, especially during election campaigns.

So, what was their plight?

The residents said that they had been demanding a land title for the 11,475 acres of land they are occupying, protection from wild animals that escape from the Queen Elizabeth National Park and rehabilitation of their roads. And that since none of those was forthcoming, they would not participate in an election to choose a parliamentary representative for the area. 

That 2022 story was brought to light by Idd Basaija, a journalist with Uganda Radio Network. After publishing the initial story, he engaged Uganda’s minister in charge of lands, Judith Nabakooba and continuously followed up on the residents’ demands. 

In Uganda land ownership is handled in two ways like in Great Britain. A buyer may enter a leasehold contract for 49 years or 99 years, with ownership of the land reverting back to the original owner at the end of the contract. Or a buyer may purchase the land in a mailo contract, and it doesn’t revert to the original owner like in the case of a leasehold. This is helpful to know when purchasing and building on land in Uganda. Only 9% of the land in Uganda is mailo land making it very valuable. The registration of each transaction is important when purchasing land so there is a clear title before building on the land.

Basaija’s persistence paid off when the government began processing land titles for the residents of Karusandara, a significant step towards addressing what residents described as “decades of neglect.” Possession of a title for the piece of land someone is occupying gives them added security from land grabbers, something that is common in Uganda.

Basaija, an alumnus of Uganda Christian University (UCU), has dedicated his life to championing social change and amplifying the voices of the marginalized people through his journalism, in order to inspire action from the people who hold positions of power.

In another of Basaija’s many articles that amplify voices of the marginalized, he raised alarm over the many people who were facing starvation in Kasese following the destruction of their gardens by elephants that had strayed from Queen Elizabeth National Park.

One of the farmers said the elephants destroyed about two acres of his garden of potatoes, which he said was the only source of livelihood. Sadly, part of the money that was used in the garden was from a loan he had acquired for farming. 

And he has also had a fair share of challenges in the profession. In 2021, while covering a story about Queen Elizabeth National Park, he published a story that there were people growing marijuana within the park. It is forbidden to grow marijuana in Uganda, unless for medical and other authorized purposes. Rather than enter the park to establish authenticity about the allegations, Basaija relied on peers to provide him information. 

When his editor inquired whether he had personally seen the 100 acres, Basaija, feeling the pressure of the moment, affirmed the claim, despite not having seen the garden. The story was published.

The situation escalated when a team from Uganda Wildlife Authority, the managers of the park, contacted him, demanding that the story be pulled down because it was inaccurate. 

This experience, however, helped him realize the importance of interviewing credible sources and ensuring accuracy of information before publication. 

Basaija draws experience from being a radio presenter, a writer, and an editor, to not only report news, but ignite social change and challenge perceptions in a profession sometimes misunderstood. He is the current bureau chief for Uganda Radio Network (URN) in Kasese, Bundibugyo and Bunyangabu — districts in western Uganda. He has worked at this news agency since January 2020. URN is a Ugandan radio news agency that provides daily ready-to-use news and information for 120 media houses.

“For me, journalism is not about the money,” said Basaija, who graduated from UCU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication in November 2013. 

Basaija’s articles often feature stories of individuals who are most times not taken seriously, ensuring that their voices are heard and their struggles acknowledged. 

“I never write a story on a social issue without following up with the people responsible.” 

Basaija says his journey into pursuing a journalism course was not as straight as he would have preferred it to be. His first university of choice did not admit him for the course. His second university of choice offered him a course in development studies. But was not where his heart was. It was at that point that he convinced his father, to support him pursue the course at UCU.  

He is passionate about environment and health reporting, having won grants in these areas. His stories on family planning have formed discussions among development partners. He is a media trainer and an advocate for independent journalism.

Currently, Basaija is pursuing a fellowship in Gender Communications at the Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communication in Kenya. He aspires to continue his education by enrolling for an MA in Journalism and Strategic Communication at UCU. 

In addition to his work at URN, Basaija is a commercial farmer. His passion for agriculture blossomed in 2019 while he was searching for a job, leading him to the idea of dairy farming. Currently, he manages both a dairy and poultry farm.

By Irene Best Nyapendi
On October 25, 2024, Christy Asiimwe was named the best overall student at the 25th graduation ceremony of Uganda Christian University (UCU). A week later, on November 2, Robinson Asiimwe was recognized as the overall best graduate at the Institute for National Transformation. 

Robinson was pursuing the Oak Seed Executive Leadership Course, an intensive, six-module program specifically designed to cultivate transformational leaders.  Christy was pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Education, where she garnered a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.8 out of 5.0. Robinson’s was 4.83. 

Robinson and Christy do not just share a surname. The latter is the daughter of the former. Robinson was full of smiles as he witnessed his daughter get the best overall student award from among more than 1,000 graduates. . 

“I was very happy for my daughter,” he said. “However, I wasn’t surprised to learn that she was the best overall student because she is self-driven, and I believed she would excel.”

At Christy’s graduation, Robinson not only attended the ceremony, but also got a photo opportunity with his daughter and the ceremony’s chief guest, Mr. Graham Yoko, the CEO of Accelerated Education Enterprises, along with UCU council chairperson, Bishop Alfred Olwa. 

Just like the kind of training Robinson just graduated from, while at UCU, the 25-year-old Christy also got training in leadership. As a member of the Honors College, the training Christy received emphasized the tenets of academics, leadership, mentorship and service. The intention of the training is to produce a cadre of leaders who are practical, relevant and innovative.

Peggy Noll, the wife of UCU’s first vice chancellor, Prof. Stephen Noll, was Christy’s mentor during the latter’s time at the Honors College. Writing about her experience with Christy, Peggy Noll expressed her excitement meeting a student who was “serious about her faith as well as her education.”

“Christy’s long-term goals include working in education, possibly curriculum development, and becoming a servant leader in that sphere,” Peggy wrote in the article. 

During a recent interview with Uganda Partners, Christy said she hopes to pursue a master’s degree in curriculum development and education management. With that training, she expects to influence educational policy, and shape a curriculum that is more responsive to the needs of Uganda’s youth.

“I would love to build effective and affordable systems of education because many of the good education systems are not affordable,” she explained. 

To Asiimwe, the accolades she earned at UCU serve as proof that with God, all things are possible. She attributed her success to the university’s supportive staff, excellent facilities, and its emphasis on character development and professionalism. She said the virtues that have been imparted in her have helped prepare her for the marketplace.

Born and raised in Kampala, Christy has been a high achiever and maintained top grades since primary school. She attended City Parents Primary School, Gayaza High School for O’level, and Shekinah Christian International School.

Peter Mugume, a senior lecturer at the UCU School of Education, said Christy was an intelligent, disciplined and punctual student. Even when it rained, she would still be the first student to arrive in class.

“Christy was informed,” he said. “She would consult, and often wrote excellent assignments.”

Mugume said when Christy competed for elective positions as a student leader, he wanted to discourage her from it, thinking it would affect her performance. But it did not.

She was a student leader in the guild government, a class representative, and in charge of religious affairs in the Honors College. She said she was able to juggle her work by strictly adhering to the timetable she set. 

Her secret to academic excellence was by grasping the concepts during lectures, sitting in the front row, and making detailed notes during lectures. 

“I was engaged in so many activities, but I made sure I attended all my lectures so that I could get first-hand information from the lecturer,” Christy said.

Soon after her final exams in September 2024, Asiimwe was employed at Acorns International School, where she had her internship from January to April 2024. 

Christy’s father owns Shekinah International School. Ordinarily, one would expect her to work at that school after university. But that has not been the case. 

“I wanted a different environment, to work under people I am unfamiliar with and to learn to absorb pressure from people who cannot easily favor me,” she said. “That way, I would be better prepared for the world of work, which is not always a bed of roses.”

At the October 25 UCU graduation, Christy was separately awarded as best female student. Dismas Nuwaine was the best male student, having garnered a GPA of 4.79 out of 5.0; he received a Bachelor of Journalism, Media and Communication.