In a warm and dignified ceremony held at Nkoyoyo Hall on May 20, Uganda Christian University (UCU) officially welcomed its newest cohort of students through an induction service attended by the university’s top leadership, faculty deans, heads of departments, and directors.
The Vice Chancellor, Canon Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, presided over the event, delivering a keynote address that challenged students to embrace the university’s distinct values of intellectual, spiritual, and social balance.
“Why is coming to UCU such a big deal?” he asked, drawing attention from the hundreds of fresh students who filled Nkoyoyo Hall. “Number one, as you may have observed, this is the cleanest, greenest, and most orderly university in Uganda. That is not disputed. A UK publication recently ranked UCU among the top eight most beautiful universities in Africa.”
He also praised UCU’s academic strides, highlighting that the School of Law is now ranked number one in the country, while the School of Medicine has become one of the most coveted medical schools nationally.
The Vice Chancellor further emphasized that UCU’s uniqueness goes beyond academics.
“We have heard from employers that our graduates are more balanced, intellectually, socially, and spiritually. They say our students have a strong work ethic, are diligent in their assignments, and relate well with others. That is because here, we give them a whole dose.”
He explained that UCU puts strong emphasis on soft skills, such as discipline, respect, and interpersonal relations, which are increasingly valued by employers.
“When you graduate, you will realize employers value how you interact with people, how you commit to work, and how you carry yourself. These soft skills are very important and we emphasize them here.”
Quoting from Daniel 6:1–5, Prof. Mushengyezi used the example of the biblical Daniel to underline the importance of discipline in an environment of freedom.
“When I joined university in 1992, there was only one university in Uganda,” he recalled. “Now, thank God, you have options like UCU. But one thing that has not changed is that university life gives you a lot of freedom, no one wakes you up, no one checks if you have done your assignments.”
He warned that while freedom is exciting, it comes with responsibility.
“Freedom is not completely free. If it is not well managed, it has cost implications. Without God’s wisdom, you may find yourself in very precarious situations.”
The Vice Chancellor urged students to stay away from destructive behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse, late-night partying, and betting.
“The night life is 24/7, but discipline yourselves. Pay your tuition on time. Do not engage in betting or habits that will derail your future.”
The Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Mr. David Mugawe, echoed the significance of the induction service.
“When I joined university as an undergraduate, all we did was register with our school of faculty, nothing like an induction service. That was it. But here at UCU, an induction service is not just an activity that we have, but it is also a recognition of welcoming our new students and there is no better way of doing it than presenting you to the lord.”
Mr Mugawe urged the students to uphold UCU’s core values and commit to walking in excellence in all areas of life
“As a graduate of UCU, you will be expected to live up to our values. Our motto, A Centre of Excellence in the Heart of Africa is not just a phrase on the wall. It is something we work hard to demonstrate through our infrastructure, our academic programs, and our Christian character.”
During the service, all deans, directors, and heads of departments were introduced by Prof. Mushengyezi, reinforcing UCU’s community spirit and academic structure. The ceremony concluded with prayers committing the new students to God, asking for wisdom, protection, and success in their journey.
As the students walked out of Nkoyoyo Hall, they did not just leave with information, they left with identity, purpose, and a challenge to uphold and reflect the UCU culture of excellence.
