The Uganda Christian University (UCU) School of Social Sciences, in collaboration with Promise International a US-based non-profit organization advocating for basic human rights and supporting children with special needs in Uganda successfully hosted the 2nd Annual Special Needs Congress 2025. The event took place in Nkoyoyo Hall, with a theme centered on “The Church and Special Needs Children Ministry in Uganda.”

This partnership reflects UCU’s commitment to its strong Christian principles, aiming to create a meaningful impact in the lives of children with special needs. The congress sought to promote a more inclusive and compassionate Church that supports individuals with disabilities and their families. It also aimed to advocate for the integration of disability issues into theological education and training, setting a precedent for holistic ministry and outreach.

“I want to thank the UCU School of Social Sciences and Promise International for championing this cause. Through your collaboration, we see a deliberate effort to change the trajectory about special needs children in this country,” noted Prof Aaron Mushengyezi, the Vice Chancellor of UCU.

Prof. Mushengyezi further explained that the dynamics surrounding children with special needs have evolved, highlighting their growing prominence in family and school life. He mentioned that society has come to recognize that children with special needs are equally human, with emotions, and needs, and are also very clever and talented.

Daniel Tulibagenyi, CEO of Promise International shared that, “In 2022, I knocked at the doors of UCU, to see how we could work together, especially within the church, and the Vice Chancellor, Prof Aaron Mushengyezi welcomed us and we signed an M.O.U. UCU has opened its doors wide, which is why we are here today”.

Tulibagenyi’s connection to UCU runs deep, as it is his alma mater. He credited the university with laying the strong foundation that has shaped his life and career. “Helping children with special needs is a powerful way to demonstrate our love for Jesus, as they too are created in the image of God. The Church is meant to be the hope of the world,” he said.

Rev. Andrew David Omona, Dean of the UCU School of Social Sciences, provided a biblical perspective, saying, “Genesis 1:27 reminds us that we are all created in the image of God. Everyone is wonderfully made and bears his image, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.”

Bishop Jackson Fredrick Balwa, the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Kampala, emphasizes the importance of addressing the needs of individuals with special needs, particularly children. “God is calling us to advocate for those with special needs. We must work to influence policies that support and uplift them,” he asserts.

Adding a spiritual insight, Bishop Zac Niringiye highlighted that children with disabilities are our teachers of the good news of the kingdom of God because they are the centre of God’s vision of the kingdom of God.

The congress served as a call to action for churches, schools, and communities to embrace inclusivity and support for children with special needs. Through its partnerships and Christian foundation, UCU continues to lead the way in advocating for marginalized groups, offering hope and practical solutions to integrate disability issues into everyday ministry and education.

This year’s congress not only celebrated progress but also laid a stronger foundation for the future, where children with special needs are recognized as valuable contributors to society and reflections of God’s love and grace.

Compiled by: Kefa Senoga

Edited by: Irene Best Nyapendi

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

By Kefa Senoga
Uganda Christian University (UCU) has added a new chapter to its legacy in sports by launching disc golf as the latest addition to the university’s diverse games lineup. Disc golf brings fresh opportunities for competition and the pursuit of sporting excellence at the university.

UCU sports tutor Samuel Lukaire said the university’s collaboration with Disc Golf Uganda to introduce the sport at UCU was driven by the opportunities it presents for students. Among these is participating in international competitions, which would expand their sporting experience.

According to Lukaire, the future plans for this game at UCU involve improving the recently created disc golf course at Besania (Ankrah) Hill. The improvements are not only to upgrade the playing experience but also to attract both national and international events to the university.

“We will organize many training camps to help develop the skills of those interested,” Lukaire said, emphasizing their commitment to nurturing talent and growing the sport at UCU.

The Federation of Disc Golf Uganda has provided a few instructors and equipment to support the training, helping to ensure a smooth introduction of the sport to the university community since the Oct.5 launch with the USA-based, Christian-focused Eagles Wings Disc Golf group. 

Israel Muwanguzi, the coordinator of Disc Golf in Uganda, said as a federation, they will continue to monitor progress and provide support whenever needed.

“When we organize tournaments, the UCU disc golf course will be one of the venues,” he said. “This will keep players active and engaged throughout.”

He says disc golf is a simple sport to learn and play. Instead of hitting a ball with a club as is the case with golf, in disc golf, players toss a plastic disc at a basket rather than a hole.

Muwanguzi notes that disc golf has significant environmental benefits, making it an asset to any community. Unlike traditional sports, which frequently require substantial infrastructure, disc golf can be played in natural settings with little damage. The courses make use of existing landscapes, helping to preserve green spaces.

Muwanguzi adds that while disc golf has been played for over 50 years in the world, it will celebrate its second anniversary in Uganda in December this year. UCU is now the fourth site in the country to have a disc golf course, following courses at Ndejje University and other locations in Katosi and Bundibugyo.

Muwanguzi said that as more universities join, the next big step will be to compete in inter-university games. 

In their attempts to promote the sport to various institutions and communities, Muwanguzi acknowledges their collaboration with several partners, including the Professional Disc Golf Association, the global governing body for the sport, the Paul McBeth Foundation and the USA-based Eagles Disc Golf Club. 

These organizations have all supported Disc Golf Uganda in developing courses, including at the UCU main campus.

Sam Welikhe, a second-year ICT student at UCU, expressed eagerness to explore and learn about the new sport, stating that he would like to participate in the game once the activities get underway.

Bimbona Sulphina, a first-year mass communication student at UCU, also expressed interest in participating in the new sport, saying, “If I start learning this game now, I could become an expert in the future.”

The Uganda Christian University (UCU) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Mr. David Mugawe are participating in the 20^th Triennial Conference of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP 2024) in Beijing, China, October 13^th – 15^th, 2024. The UCU delegation is privileged to meet and re-engage with Professor Daniel Wubah, President, Millersville University of Pennsylvania and Guest Speaker at UCU’s 24^th Graduation Public Lecture and Chief Guest at the Graduation Ceremony among other conference participants.

The Conference, themed “AI and the Future of Higher Education” has attracted hundreds of participants from over 50 countries. It is an engaging platform for exploring the dynamic landscape of modern academia. The Conference is offering unparalleled opportunities to share insights and best practices, forge strategic partnerships, and to shape the future of higher education. UCU is actively participating in this conference in line with her Strategic Objective 5: To scale up the ‘UCU E-Campus’ Vision of a Digitised University in Learning, Teaching, Research and Operations.

The rich Conference agenda is composed of inspiring keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interactive sessions led by esteemed educators and innovators from across the globe. The panel discussions are focusing on: Ethical Dimensions of AI, Educational Innovation via AI, Governance in Higher Education with AI, and AI’s Role in Shaping the Future of Education.

The Opening Ceremony was graced by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres and UNESCO Assistant Director General for Education Ms. Stefania Giannini.

Compiled by: Irene Best Nyapendi, Writer @UCU

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

By Andrew Bugembe

More than 25 student groups from Uganda Christian University (UCU) Participated in UCU Student Innovation Challenge (UCU-SIC), organized by the university’s Directorate of Research, Partnerships, and Innovations (DRPI). The challenge, part of the UCU-Research Fund (UCU-RF), aims to empower students to develop projects that address real-world problems.

Up to 10 winning teams will each receive $1,000 to bring their innovative ideas to life over six months. Dr. Elizabeth Kizito, Director of Research, Partnerships, and Innovation, stressed the need for continued support for students beyond the competition. “These brilliant students should be kept and offered much training at the incubation hub,” she said. She also highlighted UCU’s efforts to foster research through well-structured coordination systems.

The competition is open to all fully registered UCU students, whether pursuing diplomas, undergraduate, or postgraduate degrees, across all campuses. The focus is on student-led projects that align with UCU’s research goals in fields like agriculture, food and nutrition, engineering, ICT, health, and other applied sciences.

Dr. Gerald Tumusiime, Dean of the School of Medicine, emphasized the importance of securing funds for students to unleash their potential. “They secure funding to develop products and identify teammates to work with,” he said.

Vincent Kisenyi, Dean of the UCU School of Business, also encouraged students to participate, saying, “These are free and open opportunities for young minds. It teaches the students to think and come up with solutions in various fields, even in business.” The UCU-SIC is designed to inspire a culture of innovation, providing a platform for students to turn their ideas into prototypes and commercial products.

The challenge equips participants with both financial and technical support to scale up their innovations, acting as a launchpad for entrepreneurial ventures.

One of the standout participants, Gabrielle Lukyamuzi Angel, leads a group called She Funds, which is developing a crowdfunding platform to support children and young women from underprivileged communities.

 “We saw the need in our communities,” she explained. “You find single mothers struggling to meet their needs.”

Although she admitted that $1,000 wouldn’t cover all their project costs, she expressed optimism, calling it “a good start for us.”

Another promising project came from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, where Norah Akaba’s team is working on producing cowpea leaf vegetable soup. She emphasized the importance of using traditional foods and reducing post-harvest losses. Her teammate, Sonko Alpha, expressed excitement about continuing the project for his final year research.

Kakande Hanington’s team is working on an innovative project to produce unfired clay bricks using ceramic waste powder and sisal fiber. “I participated to win the $1,000 so I can implement the project,” he said, adding that this innovation challenge introduced him to new ideas and opportunities.

In another project aimed at addressing the water crisis in Kotido, Gaspher Alil Ageno, a fourth-year civil engineering student, proposed a solution to use solar and wind energy to pump water for irrigation and domestic use minimizing the available wind and sunshine in this dry region.

 “The main problem in Kotido is the lack of water, which causes food insecurity, insecurity, and underdevelopment,” Ageno explained. His project seeks to harness renewable energy to improve life in the region.

Also, Jeremy Rukundo, a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery student from the UCU School of Medicine, passionately presented his idea of creating an automated irrigation system.

Based on nutrition and moisture sensors, this system aims to reduce food insecurity in parts of Uganda affected by unpredictable weather conditions due to climate change. “I am working on an automated irrigation system, based on nutrition and moisture sensors, to help reduce food insecurity in some parts of Uganda caused by unpredictable weather conditions,” he said.

He also emphasized that opportunities like this are important because they broaden his thinking and allow him to present his ideas to a panel of professionals. “Such initiatives are important as they give young people a chance to express their ideas,” he added.

Such a competition shows the university’s willingness to creating an environment where students can develop entrepreneurial ventures. “At UCU, we have made several efforts towards creating an enabling environment for research,” said Dr. Kizito Martin the head of partnerships and grants at the UCU DRPI.

With support from DRPI, students are encouraged to push the boundaries of innovation, turning their ideas into impactful solutions for Uganda and beyond.

The UCU Student Innovation Challenge will be held annually to continue inspiring and nurturing student-driven projects, that will make them great men and women in the future.

Join us for our Induction Ceremonies on September 24, 2024. This special event welcomes new students to UCU, marking the beginning of their academic journey. It is one of two key services, followed by the Commissioning Ceremony.