On May 21, 2025, Uganda Christian University (UCU) hosted a momentous occasion at Nkoyoyo Hall as Canon Professor Peter Nyende delivered his inaugural professorial lecture. The event attracted a distinguished audience, including several bishops of the Church of Uganda, Church of Uganda officials, senior UCU staff, alumni, and students, all gathered to celebrate a scholar whose voice continues to shape theological thought and influence public discourse in East Africa.

Representing the Chancellor, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, was the Rt. Rev. Assoc. Prof. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, Bishop of Ankole Diocese. In his remarks, Bishop Mwesigwa congratulated Prof. Nyende on his elevation to full professorship, an accomplishment, he said, that reflects both deep scholarship and perseverance. He applauded UCU for honoring its professors through public lectures that give scholars space to share their ideas with the wider community. As a fellow biblical scholar, Bishop Mwesigwa emphasized the vital role of theological academics in equipping the church and addressing complex moral and social challenges.

“Publishing biblical scholars play a unique and irreplaceable role in shaping theological thought, resourcing pastors, and helping churches navigate complex doctrinal, moral, and social questions grounded in theological insight,” he said. “I call upon UCU to prioritize and provide the much-needed institutional support for theological education and biblical scholarship.”

Vice Chancellor Canon Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi extended apologies from the Chairperson of the UCU University Council, Bishop Alfred Olwa, who was unable to attend due to illness. In his opening remarks, Prof. Mushengyezi highlighted the significance of inaugural lectures in the academic life of the university.

“Becoming a full professor in an academic institution is a dream of every academic,” he said. “We struggle and get doctorates, but for an academic that is not enough. You must publish or perish. When you don’t publish, we begin to doubt your credentials because it is through sharing knowledge that we propagate ideas that become the bedrock for influencing society and development paradigms.”

Prof. Mushengyezi commended Prof. Nyende for attaining this scholarly milestone, expressing hope that his achievements would inspire other UCU scholars to pursue excellence.

“Now that you have attained this level of academic excellence, we hope that you will be an inspiring force in shaping the ideas and agendas in our church,” he said. “This milestone should also encourage our different scholars at UCU to press forward.”

Rev. Prof. Edison Muhindo Kalengyo, from the Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology, had the honor of introducing his colleague and friend. In a warm and personal tribute, Prof. Kalengyo described Prof. Nyende as a man of character, experience, and deep commitment to both church and academia. He noted that Prof. Nyende is married to Josephine and together they have two children—Brodie and Arabel. A priest ordained in the Anglican Church of Kenya in 1998 and later collated as a Canon of St. Luke’s Cathedral in Butere Diocese, Nyende is also a commissioned evangelist with the Church Army Society of Africa.

Prof. Kalengyo highlighted Prof Nyende’s leadership at Carlile College in Kenya, his work across Sudan, Uganda, and Kenya, and his academic background, which includes a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Edinburgh.

Taking the podium to deliver his lecture, Prof. Nyende reflected on what the moment meant to him.

“UCU has honored me by unveiling me to the wider public as a full professor of Biblical Studies,” he said. “It has afforded me the opportunity to broadcast my scholarly contribution, current research, and talk about future strategic directions.”

He anchored his presentation in a historical and philosophical exploration of the university and its mission, particularly the role of theological education in shaping societies. Tracing the emergence of universities from informal learning centers that responded to societal needs, Prof. Nyende explained that universities were always about knowledge — its pursuit, transfer, and use for the common good. This utilitarian purpose of higher education, he argued, has endured for over 800 years.

Quoting philosophers such as Immanuel Kant, Prof. Nyende underscored that university education especially theological training must demonstrate its relevance through service to society. He explained how the demand for quality and justification of study became central in the 20th century, with global trends pushing universities to measure research by its problem-solving impact.

“In the 1960s, we saw the emergence of the ‘problem statement’ as a standard component in research,” he said. “It’s not just bureaucracy, it’s about ensuring your research responds to real issues troubling society.”

For theological schools, this means producing pastors who are not only spiritually equipped but intellectually grounded. Prof. Nyende recalled that in 2019, when Uganda considered regulating churches, he argued for the urgent need for theologically trained pastors who could rightly interpret scripture and serve their communities with wisdom and integrity.

He gave sobering examples of what happens in the absence of theological training: the 2000 Kanungu cult massacre in Uganda, where over 400 people were burned to death, and the 2023 tragedy in Shakahola, Kenya, where 600 people were starved to death under the influence of a rogue religious leader.

According to Prof Nyende, with the right training, christian citizens would be saved from psychological manipulation, financial exploitation, emotional abuse, enslavement and even death on account of some of the wrong pastors.

As the lecture came to a close, there was a shared sense that this was more than an academic milestone. It was a call to reimagine theological education as an essential pillar of public life, a space where scholarship meets service, and faith seeks understanding for the good of all.

Watch the full lecture here: https://www.youtube.com/live/6Ck2xTNf1Gk?si=zjE7goOrfQW8ncAj

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.

The Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi has today officially commissioned the newly constructed Bishop Luke Orombi Road at the main campus, named in honour of the former Archbishop of the Church of Uganda.

The road, which stretches from the Bishop Tucker Gate to the Main Gate, represents a significant upgrade in campus infrastructure and environment.

“This is an excellent piece of work,” said Prof. Mushengyezi during the commissioning. “We love the quality and are grateful to Stirling for working on all our roads. We are now forgetting the old looks and embracing a new UCU.”

The event brought together university officials, contractors, and consultants who all played key roles in the completion of the project.

Eng. Yusuf Saleh, speaking on behalf of Stirling Civil Engineering Ltd, the contractors expressed gratitude to UCU for the opportunity to undertake the project.

“Thank you for this project,” he said. “We appreciate the work of the consultants and UCU’s own engineers. Whatever is not yet perfect will be fixed immediately, and we commit to doing this within a week. We look forward to more engagements and pledge our best, he additionally re-echoed.”

Ms. Jacklyn Wadulo, the Project Manager at Dice Engineering Services, who served as consultants, expressed gratitude for being entrusted with the role of supervising the roadwork. “Thank you to UCU for the opportunity, and to Stirling for doing a great job. May this road be a blessing to generations to come.”

Speaking on behalf of UCU’s engineering team, Engineer Fred Kahinda, the Projects Engineer, praised the execution of the project. “What was dreamt of is exactly what has been realized. The new environment looks great, and the contractors have done a commendable job.”

This newly constructed road enhances accessibility and connectivity across our campus. This milestone is one the five-point pillars of the UCU Campus Transformation Initiative (2024-2029), which prioritizes the beautification of our campus to create an inspiring and vibrant environment for learning and community life.

At the recently concluded 16th Annual General Meeting of Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU), Uganda Christian University (UCU) was recognized for promoting seamless and secure campus connectivity and awarded “Top Eduroam User 2024”. The award was received by UCU’s Director of University ICT Services (UIS) Mrs. Rebecca Kangabe.

This recognition reflects UCU’s commitment to digitization, which is the first pillar of the UCU “Campus Transformation Initiative- 2024-2025”. We strive to enable world-class connectivity for research, learning, and collaboration.

What is eduroam?
Eduroam (education roaming) is a global Wi-Fi service that allows students, researchers, and staff to access secure, high-speed internet at thousands of participating institutions worldwide—using a single sign-on (your UCU credentials).

Key Benefits of eduroam for You:

1. Seamless Access – Use one sign-in (your UCU email and password) across all eduroam-enabled campuses globally.
2. High Security – Enterprise-grade encryption ensures your data remains safe and protected.
3. Academic Mobility – Stay connected to research tools and educational platforms wherever eduroam is available.
4. No Extra Cost – Just connect using your existing UCU credentials—no additional fees required.

On April 30, Uganda Christian University (UCU) School of Law received a brand
new Toyota Hiace van. The van handover was graced by the Vice-Chancellor (VC), the Deputy
Vice-Chancellor for Finance and Administration (DVC F&A), and the Dean of the School of
Law, a team from the Directorate of Facilities and Capital Projects, the Legal Department, the
Department of Communication and Public Relations, and representatives from the Procurement
Unit.

“The School of Law, being our largest school and faculty, plays a vital role at UCU, not only in
terms of student numbers but also as a significant contributor to the university’s revenue. This
new vehicle is a testament to their hard work and impact. We certainly hope it serves as an
inspiration for continued growth and achievement across all our faculties,” said Mr. David
Mugawe, the DVC F&A.

During the handover ceremony, the VC, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, articulated the university’s long-standing desire to recognize entities that bring pride to UCU. He specifically commended the School of Law for its diligent efforts in enhancing UCU’s reputation nationally, regionally, and internationally.

The provision of this new van aims to streamline coordination and mobility even further. The VC emphasized that the “brand new vehicle” was a fitting acknowledgment of the “brand new services” delivered by the faculty. He also expressed his gratitude to the Procurement team for their diligence and hard work in the procurement process.

The Dean of the School of Law, Dr. Peter Mutesasira, expressed profound gratitude to the VC
and the university management for this generous gift, which originated from a casual request. He
also extended his appreciation to the procurement office for its transparent processes in acquiring
the vehicle.

“It is my joy to see a modern building and a modern van,” Dr. Mutesasira said, “We shall continue doing what we do best.”

In addition, the Dean recognized the visibility the new van would provide, explaining that the car will be a moving billboard. Acknowledging the heightened expectations that come with success, he stated, “The pressure is high—the higher you climb, the more you expose yourself.” Despite this, he said, “We pledge to play our role and do what is required of us.” He concluded by promising to share the good news with his colleagues and motivate them to continue their hard
work.

This van is a reward to the UCU School of Law in acknowledgment of its contribution to the
university’s financial well-being through its large student enrollment. The new van will
undoubtedly serve as a valuable asset, supporting the school’s endeavors and further amplifying
its impact.

The UCU School of law stands as an inspiration to other faculties, demonstrating that dedication, visibility, and impact do not go unnoticed at Uganda Christian University.

Uganda Christian University (UCU) proudly celebrated a landmark academic moment on Friday, May 2, 2025, as Prof. Eleanor Wozei, a Professor of Environmental Quality Management, delivered her Inaugural Professorial Lecture at Nkoyoyo Hall under the theme “Engineering Our Environmental Wellbeing.”

The event was attended by a wide cross-section of the university community, including deans, professors, heads of department, faculty members, students, and administrative staff. Among the notable attendees was Prof. Monica Chibita, Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication, who introduced and accompanied the new full professor during the lecture.

Representing the UCU Vice Chancellor, Mr. David Mugawe, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, emphasized the significance of the event in his remarks.

“This is a proud moment for us as an institution,” Mr. Mugawe said. “This event not only marks a formal conferment of the title of professor but also provides an opportunity for the academic community and the broader public to hear directly from a scholar about the journey, the ideas, and the impact of the work she has done.”

He commended Prof. Wozei for her academic leadership and dedicated service to the university since 2009, during which she has served in multiple roles including Senior Lecturer, Head of Department, and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology.

“We are proud that we have gained a lot from her distinguished scholarship. Your attainment of professorship is a call for academic mentorship,” Mr. Mugawe added. “It is our hope that you will support other young academicians to reach the level of professor and help grow academic excellence in this institution.”

Prof. Wozei currently teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in waste management and sanitation, integrated water resources management, and scientific and technical writing in the Department of Engineering and Environment. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Makerere University, and both Master’s of Science and PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.

She has worked in academia and research for over 30 years, producing significant research, publishing widely, and collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams both nationally and internationally. A registered engineer with the Uganda Engineers Registration Board (on which she served two terms), Prof. Wozei is also a member of the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda.

In her lecture, Prof. Wozei highlighted key lessons from her engineering research in water, sanitation, and hygiene.

“Often, engineering solutions may not last as we expect,” she noted. “Many times, there is a disconnect between the knowledge we have, our attitudes, behaviours, and practices.” She stressed that successful environmental engineering goes beyond technical knowledge.

“Environmental engineers must not only be grounded in mathematics and physics but also understand biology, chemistry, and living organisms,” she said. “The human aspect in the design, implementation, and sustainable use of solutions is significant.”

She called for engineering solutions to be designed, built, operated, and maintained in partnership with stakeholders, especially the communities they are meant to serve.

“Each one of us has a part to play in engineering our environmental wellbeing through our knowledge, attitudes, and practices,” she added.

Prof. Wozei also expressed her gratitude to UCU, particularly the Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology, the Directorate of Research, Partnerships and Innovations, and the Directorate of Facilities and Capital Projects, for their support throughout her academic journey.

The Inaugural Professorial Lecture served not only as a formal celebration of Prof. Wozei’s achievement but also as an inspirational session for the entire academic community.

Watch the full lecture here: https://youtu.be/K0w8kNWPJWE