By Irene Best Nyapendi
For 13 years, the Words of Hope building at Uganda Christian University (UCU) has housed offices of journalism and communication studies on the Mukono campus. 

From that yellow, storied building, faculty members experienced a bird’s-eye view of the university and surrounding hills. A disadvantage is that as what was once a department under the School of Education grew, staff members were scattered. 

By the end of 2024, the School of Journalism, Media and Communication (JMC) at UCU is set to relocate to a new building designed to house all JMC staff and be more centrally located to administrative and other faculty/school offices. The new building, which previously housed School of Business offices, is located near the UCU Communications Office. 

John Semakula, the Head of the Undergraduate Department within the School of  JMC, said the JMC move is part of a university-wide space rationalization exercise that began two years ago. 

“The new block will be referred to as the School of Journalism, Media and Communication Office Block,” Semakula said. “We had a shortage of office space, and as a result, we have been using different office blocks on campus, which kept us scattered. The new block is an opportunity to bring all the staff of the School under one roof.”

Prof. Monica Chibita, Dean of the School of JMC, cited other advantages. 

“It is centrally located, surrounded by other faculties and schools, as well as some strategic administration offices, promoting interdisciplinary partnerships,” she said. “It also enables us (the faculty) to share office space, which eases collaboration. Many of our students have complained about the distance from the classrooms to the faculty, and we have struggled with limited office space and storage.”

Prof. Chibita noted that as the school shifts to the new location, the studios and equipment will remain at the current location, transforming it into a multimedia center, with The Standard newspaper, the UCU Focus TV, and other facilities relocating to the Words of Hope building. 

Among those who have noticed the positive growth of the School of JMC is Frank Obonyo, an alumnus and a lecturer at the school. He recalled that a journalism department was started by former journalists – Mr. Illakut Ben Bella for print media, the late Okoku Obomba for radio, and the Rev. Canon Dr. Jackson Turyagyenda for television. The department was later joined by other seasoned professionals, including Ben Ochan for photojournalism and Jane Gitau, a Public Relations practitioner.

Over the years, the physical identity of the school has been associated with the Hope  building, with Tech Park and with  The Standard news office located between the PR office and the Vice Chancellor’s office. Obonyo recalled some early collaboration between the Mass Communication department and Spirit FM radio. He remembered being a student when there was no media laboratory with five still-photo cameras shared by over 90 classmates. 

Today, the curriculum training is supported by highly qualified staff and practitioners in the industry and more equipment in a multimedia laboratory and three studios.

Obonyo, who joined UCU as a student in 2003, was among the first interns at The Standard student newspaper. In March 2007, an advertisement called upon Mass Communication graduates to apply for intern jobs at The Standard. The applicants went through the normal university recruitment process and four of the graduates were selected: Frank Obonyo, John Semakula, Brian Semujju and Emma Wafula. 

Obonyo says this was a great opportunity for them to sharpen their journalism skills. 

“As a result, we all got employed by the New Vision newspaper, Uganda’s leading daily English language newspaper,” he said. “ At The Standard, I was responsible for Sports news, Semakula was in charge of news and current affairs, Emma Wafula did Campus Life and Semujju was the Managing Editor.”

As the school prepares to relocate to a new building, Obonyo reflects on the journey.

“Today, the School of Journalism, Media and Communication is among the top media and communication training hubs in the country,” he said. “We have come a long way, and I am proud to have been part of this journey.”

For Geoffrey Ssenoga, a lecturer at the school since 2008, the move will bring numerous benefits to both staff and students. He notes that it will be easier for students to access them since it is closer to the classrooms, compared to the current building.

“We have course units taught by people from other faculties like the Social Sciences and Education, so being close to other faculty members will allow for easier collaboration,” Ssenoga said.

As Ssenoga looks forward to the relocation, he reflects on his earlier days as a lecturer, when resources were limited. 

“I had to draw a camera on the blackboard to teach students how to operate a camera because we only had five cameras,” he notes, “But now, students have the privilege to access the camera whenever they need it to practice.”

Timothy Okurut, a student leader representing Mass Communication, said: “In the past, there have been times we failed to access the studio for production purposes because the lecturers were in a meeting,” Okurut said. “With the new building for the staff, we shall have unrestricted access to the studios.”

On Sunday 25, August, 2024, Christians gathered at St. Phillip’s Cathedral, Moroto to witness the consecration and enthronement of Rev. Ven. Micheal Chorey as the 5th Bishop of Karamoja Diocese. Rt Rev Michael Chorey succeeded Rt Rev Joseph Abura, who has served as Diocesan Bishop for the last 17 years.

Her Excellency Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, graced the occasion as Chief Guest, representing the President of the Republic of Uganda.

Uganda Christian University (UCU) was proudly represented by over 10 delegates, who congratulated and joined the rest of the congregation to offer gifts to the now Bishop of Karamoja Diocese, Bishop Chorey.

During the event, Rev. Dr. Richard Mulindwa, UCU’s Church Relations Manager, delivered remarks of the university Vice Chancellor, in which he pledged to support Bishop Chorey in his efforts to enhance the capacity of clergy and church ministers in the Diocese.

Bishop Chorey in his speech pledged to utilize Church land for production to ensure that the Diocese becomes more productive and self-sustainable.

He emphasized that the Church is blessed with land resources that can be utilized for the benefit of the community.

“Our Church is blessed with land resources that can be utilized for the benefit of our community. Developing such resources for agricultural and other productive purposes can help generate sustainable income streams, provide employment opportunities, and support those in need,” Bishop Chorey said.

Bishop Chorey further pledged to prioritize capacity building and clergy welfare.

He reiterated his commitment to prioritize capacity building and clergy welfare. He emphasized the importance of clergy as the shepherds of the flock of God, and noted that, it is crucial to invest in their ongoing education, provide adequate support, and ensure their well-being.

He noted that by enhancing their capacity and taking care of their welfare, the clergy will be able to lead with confidence and effectiveness, enriching the spiritual lives of individuals and strengthening the community within and outside the Diocese.

He pledged to focus on mission and evangelism, strengthen youth and women’s ministry, support men’s ministry, and streamline the education and health sectors in the Diocese. Additionally, he aims to encourage entrepreneurship within the diocese to further contribute to efforts towards economic growth and self-sustainability.

During his sermon, Rt Rev Samuel Gidudu, the Bishop of North Mbale Diocese and leader of the new Bishop’s retreat, emphatically urged the new Bishop to place his trust in God for provision and cautioned him against succumbing to greed for property.

“Always put your trust in God as your provider and encourager. God knows all our needs. He will give you a committed team to work with. It is okay to possess things, but it is dangerous to be possessed by things. Do not be greedy for earthly things. All we have are just additions by God’s grace,” Bishop Gidudu said.

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, called for reconciliation and unity, urging the people of Karamoja to support the new Bishop.

Rev. Dr. Kaziimba, mentioned to Bishop Chorey that the Lord, who chose him to serve at this time, has well-laid plans for him and the ministry ahead.

He urged Bishop Chorey to trust God and requested the leaders and all the people of Karamoja to support the new Bishop and embrace a new mindset and cultural transformation for tje benefit of the community.

“You are people of potential, wisdom, and energy, a united force and now Bishop Chorey this is a source of strength, not weakness. Utilize him to advance your region,” he said. “We will support and develop Karamoja together, but it is imperative to prioritize security, safety and unity in this area.”

During the event, the President of the Republic of Uganda in his message, conveyed by the Vice President, commended the Church for its role in community transformation and pledged to further support Bishop Michael Chorey with a car to make his movement to reach out to the people easier.

Additionally, the Vice President launched the Archbishop’s book, “Authority that Turns Followers into Leaders,” and donated 100 copies to the clergy of Karamoja Diocese. She also announced the President’s pledge to buy 5,000 copies of this book which she said would benefit the entire cabinet among other people serving under the leadership of the president.

Compiled by: Irene Best Nyapendi

Edited by: Harriet Adong, UCU Director Communication and Public Relations (Vice Chancellor’s Division)

Today, Thursday 22, August, 2024, Uganda Christian University (UCU) hosted a research dissemination event for the project “Olutindo” (meaning “The Bridge”).

This project aims to promote sexual and reproductive health behavior change among teenage girls in Mukono district through strategic communication intervention.

The research team, led by Professor James Kiwanuka-Tondo, presented their progress report, highlighting the project’s objectives, activities, and outputs.

The research team consists of Professor James Kiwanuka Tondo, the Principal Investigator; Dr. Jeremy Waiswa; Mr. Solomon Kibirige Kasule; Mr. Martin Kabanda; Mrs. Elizabeth Nagudi Situma; Christine Nabadda Mpaulo; and research assistants such as Flavia Zalwango, Aggrey Mugisha, and Frank Obonyo.

The project aims to design a strategic communication intervention to promote effective sexual and reproductive health behavior change through participatory and community-engaged approaches.

The project funded by Directorate of Research, Partnerships and Innovation (DRPI) seeks to address the pressing issue of teenage pregnancy in Uganda, where 32,000 teenagers get pregnant every month, and 40% of teenage girls are married by the age of 18.

The interdisciplinary project, involving the School of Journalism, Faculty of Social Sciences, and Faculty of Public Health, aims to investigate the following questions about teenage pregnancy in Mukono District:

• What are the perceptions and attitudes of teenage girls regarding the causes of teenage pregnancy?
• What specific factors contribute to high rates of teenage pregnancies in Mukono District?
• What communication strategies can be employed to reduce teenage pregnancies in Mukono District?

The baseline data has been collected through focus group discussions and questionnaires shared with teenagers and parents.

The baseline data has identified four causes of teenage pregnancy: 26.5% is attributed to poverty, 23.7% is attributed to peer pressure, and 13.9% is attributed to lack of sexual education.

For the next six months, they will finalize data collection and analysis before moving on to message design and development.

The project’s findings and recommendations will contribute to addressing the challenges of teenage pregnancy and promoting healthy behavior among teenage girls in Mukono district.

Compiled by: Irene Best Nyapendi and Blessing Twine

Edited by: Harriet Adong, UCU Director Communication and Public Relations (Vice Chancellor’s Division)

By Kefa Senoga
In 2014, while playing football at Ntare School located in western Uganda, Alex Aturinda, a Senior Four student at the time, fractured his tibia. That below-the-knee fracture forced him to retire from sports.

However, it was not long after, when Aturinda picked up his boots, this time switching the sport to rugby. As the now Uganda Christian University (UCU) alum headed to the rugby turf, he knew he was joining a rough sport. Earlier, while in Senior One at Ntare School, he had vowed never to play rugby after watching his first game of the sport.

During his recovery process from the tibia fracture, Aturinda’s friends kept wooing him to join the rugby team as they hoped to benefit from his speed and physique. He was hesitant at first, but eventually gave in.

Aturinda’s rise in the sport was so meteoric that five years later, he earned a call up to the national team. In the same year, 2019, he joined the Stanbic Black Pirates, one of the clubs in Uganda’s rugby premier league. Two years after his call up to the national team, Aturinda got a fracture for the second time, this time on his jaw, during a rugby game.

For three months, he sat out of the games, as he recovered from the injury. He eventually made it back to the pitch and vowed to lead his country to winning at least a silverware during his playing time.

He has now won two, with Uganda’s Rugby Sevens. Both trophies came this year, with Aturinda playing a remarkable role in winning the latest, which came on the weekend of July 6-7, at the Labourdonnais Sports Grounds in Mauritius during the Rugby Sevens Africa championship. Uganda secured victory on July 7, the final day of the tournament, defeating South Africa 20-17.

In the final, Uganda gained an early advantage with tries from Alex Aturinda and Denis Etwau, pushing the score to 15-5 in Uganda’s favor.

Aturinda is a former player for the UCU rugby team, the UCU Shepherds. He joined UCU in 2017, eventually earning a Bachelor of Procurement and Logistics Management. He noted that the two weekends of competition in Mauritius were not a walk in the park.

Before travelling to Mauritius for the Africa Sevens competition, the team competed in the Olympic Repechage tournament in Monaco on the weekend of June 22-23. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful in the Repechage. This tournament was the final chance for the Uganda Rugby Sevens team to qualify for the Olympic games that were held in Paris, from July 26 to August 11, 2024, in France.

The huge loss in Monaco, Aturinda notes, gave the team great lessons, which they carried to Mauritius. He says to redeem their image at the competition in Mauritius, they had to do thorough research and study the playing styles of their would-be opponents.

He holds the championship they won in Mauritius dearly, as it marks his second gold medal with the team this year. The first came in March from the All-Africa Games in Ghana, where Uganda secured gold after an outstanding performance, with players like Aturinda, Desire Ayera, and Philip Wokorach (all UCU alumni) scoring multiple tries.

Winning the Africa Men’s Sevens Championship opens the door for the Uganda Sevens team to compete in the Challenger Series again next year. The Challenger Series serves as a “second-tier” tournament, where teams that have not yet made it to the main World Rugby Sevens Series (the top tier) can compete and showcase their talent. The top-performing teams in the Challenger Series have a chance to be promoted to the World Rugby Sevens Series, the premier international competition for rugby sevens.

According to Aturinda, their goal as a team is to compete in the World Rugby Sevens Series, the highest level of the rugby sevens.

Aturinda recalls that it was in 2019, as he played for the UCU Shepherds during the inter-university competitions, that he was noticed by the management of the national rugby team. As a result, he was given an opportunity to join the Sevens setup and began training with the national team in January 2020.

He says that rugby has enabled him to earn a living. However, he is also focused on advancing his career and is currently in his final year, pursuing a Master of Science in Procurement and Supply Chain Management at Kyambogo University. Additionally, he is involved in business, specifically selling sports attire.

“My goal is to make sure that even after rugby, I can live a healthy and quality life,” Aturinda says.

Besides Aturinda, UCU has trained many people who have ended up playing for the national rugby team, including Ivan Magomu, the captain; Conrad Wanyama, the vice-captain; Philip Wokorach, who plays professional rugby in France; Pius Ogena, Desire Ayera, William Nkore and Collin Kimbowa, among others.

By Irene Best Nyapendi
“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage Ms. Natasha Alinda who was voted the Most Influential Student. I have interacted with her, and I can attest that she is deserving of the award.” 

These were the words of the Rev. Prof. John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs at Uganda Christian University, as he announced the name on July 3, 2024, during a commissioning service at the main campus in Mukono.

To get this accolade, Alinda, who was among the 1,160 students who graduated on July 5, defeated four other students who had been nominated. The winner emerged via a student poll on social media platform X. The guidelines were simple: Vote for a final-year student who has exemplified the theme of education at UCU as “A Complete Education for a Complete Person.”

Kitayimbwa described Alinda as someone with “a positive influence who has added vibrancy to the UCU community.”

“She has excelled in academics, sports, social activities, and leadership,” he said.

Alinda, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance degree at the July graduation, thinks she knows why her fellow students gave her 46% of the votes that were cast. 

She believes she was voted due to her extensive leadership experience and dedication to service, both within and outside UCU. She has served as the coordinator for Talk to Mama Pesh (a program hosted at UCU by Patience Mushengyezi, the wife of the Vice Chancellor), Vice President of the School of Business, a student leader at the Honors College and a member of the East African Youth Parliament.

Her impact was particularly felt by students while she served as a leader in charge of resident students. She says she personally visited the students every fortnight to check on their well-being, understand their challenges, and suggest solutions. She also communicated with concerned parents who couldn’t reach their children.

She gets the passion for leadership from her love for people –  a gift that she believes God has bestowed. Alinda believes that leadership provides the perfect platform to make a positive impact on people’s lives, enabling her to guide and support them in meaningful ways. 

According to Alinda, her father, Gad Mugisha, is her biggest believer, always encouraging her to be a good example to others. 

Mugisha always emphasizes the importance of leadership, encouraging his daughter to lead by example. He taught her that leadership is an “effective way to reach people and make a difference.” 

Mugisha says his father had 13 wives, which was one barrier for Mugisha to attend school himself although he believes in the value of education. . Despite this, he is proud of the person his daughter has become.

“She studied, became born again,” Mugisha said of his daughter. “I’m grateful she listens to my teachings and avoids harmful habits, like drugs.”

According to Mugisha, his daughter has always been a popular student. Finding Alinda during school visits was easy because many of the students knew her. 

“She took good care of her belongings and was exceptional in relating with people,” Mugisha said of his daughter who is the third of five siblings.

To people who know Alinda, like Esther Auma, the Most Influential Student accolade was no surprise. Auma, a third-year student pursuing Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering, first met Alinda during campaigns for student leadership at the UCU School of Business. 

She said Alinda came across as a confident, cheerful and down-to-earth person.

 “Alinda is a lover of people, she always makes it a point to make those around her happy, even when she is going through a tough time herself,” Auma said. 

Alinda looks to the future, she hopes to continue using her leadership skills to serve people and make a difference in the world.

(With a team of 29 dedicated student coaches from various schools and faculties, Uganda Christian University’s writing center, located within the Mukono campus’  Hamu Mukasa Library, plays a key role in academic enrichment. Officially opened in October 2022 and currently under the leadership of Kajubi Martin, the acting manager, the center strives to help students amplify their writing skills, scholarly voice and academic success. Christine Mirembe, a student in the School of Journalism, Media and Communication, got some insights into the center through interviews with four coaches.)

Christy Asiimwe – School of Education
Christy Asiimwe, alongside Joshua Gira, is working to develop an English language program tailored specifically for international students.

“I am excited about the curriculum,” Christy, an English major in the UCU School of Education,  said. “I would love to do a masters in Education, Management and Curriculum Development using experience from the writing center as a base. I wish to have an online presence where I teach English.”

Having a background in the French language as part of her high school curriculum has accorded Christy an advantage when tutoring students from Francophone countries. While she encourages them to speak and write English, she greets them in French. 

“I am assigned students based on their needs and my competencies,” said Christy, who has been a tutor, working twice a week for 90 minutes each, since 2023. “As much as I would have loved to engage more with my students, my busy schedule does not allow more.”

She credits supportive colleagues, particularly Joshua, also an English major, for any success she has. 

“Working at the writing center has been very fruitful,” Christy said.  “I cherish the bonds I’ve built with students. Watching them grow and being part of their journey brings me immense joy and fulfillment as a teacher. Helping them fit into the society by engaging them with the English language is an opportunity the writing center has availed.”

Two improvements she suggested are more tutor trainings and stronger collaboration with the International Students Association.

Milton Abel Opio – School of Business
“Writing should be a compulsory skill for every student; its power speaks a lot more if we go into details. Effective communication is crucial in all fields, business inclusive.”

These are the words of Milton Abel Opio, a writing center coach and student in the School of Business. He has a passion for writing and helping others share his passion. He is grateful that Martin Kajubi recruited him as a tutor in February 2023. 

“I tutor accounting in business administration because that is where my strength is channeled,” Milton said. “I find it more transparent; it is way more than just numbers, something that most people do not know. My sessions are usually two to four hours, depending on my students’ workload and their ability to grasp concepts.”

Helping others is a win-win as he has discovered improvements in his own work as he does more reading and research to have a better grasp of concepts and to share with those who he  tutors. His own writing about finance has multiplied. 

“Tutoring at the writing center has been amazing; you get to meet and interact with people from all walks of life,” Milton said. “I have hence used this space to learn, unlearn and re-learn from various people, making me better.”

He cited an example – “one of my most rewarding moments” –  of working with a student who had difficulties structuring essays and how together, they organized ideas, developed thesis statements and incorporated evidence.  

He acknowledged that time management has been difficult as he juggles his own work with time to help others with theirs. 

“I try to maintain a schedule that allocates time for my personal assignments and office duties,” Milton said. “Multitasking has become the standard practice. I would love to continue tutoring. The past year has been amazing and with unwavering support, I know there is still room for me to learn and create impact where passion lies. Learning never stops.”

Busobozi Ian John Baptist  – Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology
Before coming to the writing center in September 2023, Busobozi Ian John Baptist had a reputation for sharing knowledge with colleagues. He believes that teaching has rewards for both teacher and student. 

“You can teach someone; they get 90% and you get 80%,” he said. 

With average sessions running for two-to-three hours each, he guides groups of five to six students.  

“Engineering requires a lot of time and dedication,” Baptist said. “I recall conducting a study session that lasted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during which we thoroughly reviewed all the work from across all the course units in preparation for exams.”

Prior to all sessions, he gives students a heads-up on what will be discussed and when. This allows prior preparation, hence making the work more effective. Meeting and interacting with a diverse audience is an opportunity tutoring has provided.  

Baptist has been impacted by the “learning by teaching” principle, where teaching others has helped him solidify his own understanding of concepts and retention of knowledge. He grasps concepts much better and attributes his good grade-point average to this.

UCU student Isooba Mbeiza Rachel- Faculty of Engineering,Design and Technology

Since childhood, Isooba Mbeiza Rachel has enjoyed passing on what she knows to others. 

“Helping someone understand concepts brings me joy,” she said. 

Since assuming her writing center coach role in September 2023, she has met with one-to-two students for two hours each week. While helpful, she feels sessions could be more beneficial if they were longer and more frequent. 

“Mr. Martin Kajubi, our director, is amazing, helpful and very understanding,” Rachel said. “It is such a blessing to be part of the writing center. People are very kind, friendly and embrace teamwork. Generally, the atmosphere is very conducive for all.”

She also lauded the 2024 writing week that exposed students to different types of literature. 

As with other tutors, balancing their own academics with tutor duties can be challenging, according to Rachel who added that the benefits outweigh obstacles. 

“Witnessing the great academic impact the writing center has had on the student body and my passion for teaching others, I would love to continue working with the writing center,” she said.