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.”

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.

Today, Friday, 6, September, 2024, Uganda Christian University (UCU) has officially opened the doors to its new School of Journalism, Media, and Communication (JMC) building. The state-of-the-art facility was handed over to the school by the university’s leadership, led by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi and Mr. David Mugawe, Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration.

This comes after the senior leadership received its completed projects from the contractors, during a handover ceremony, on Monday, 26, August, 2024 at the Main Campus in Mukono.

Prof. Mushengyezi congratulated the school upon receiving its new home.

“It has been something worth the effort. As people who train the fourth estate, we value your significance in the country. We believe you now have ample space to be more creative and that you will shine even more,” Prof. Mushengyezi said.

Prof. Mushengyezi emphasized that the new building is part of UCU’s vision to transform the institution into the real center of excellence in the heart of Africa.

For 13 years, the School of JMC and Words of Hope have shared the same building. From that yellow, storied building, faculty members experienced a bird’s-eye view of the university and surrounding hills. The disadvantage is that as what was once a department under the School of Education grew, staff members were scattered. 

JMC is set to relocate to a new building designed to house all its 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 Baskerville Building which houses the UCU Communications and Public Relations 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.”

Professor Monica Chibita, Dean of the School of Journalism, Media and Communication expressed gratitude to the engineers, contractors, university administration and the entire team involved in the project.

“We feel special, I never dreamt that the former School of Business building would turn out like this after renovation. It is very beautiful and befitting of us,” Professor Chibita said.

She also cited the advantages of the new building. 

“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 former JMC 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 the 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.

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 this 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 location.

“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 and such renovations to allow for office relocation were far fetched. “Well done UCU team”, he added. 

“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 the Mass Communication class, said: “In the past, there have been times we failed to access the studio for production purposes because the lecturers were in a meeting however with the new building for the staff, we shall have unrestricted access to the studios and thus enhance learning at UCU.”

Compiled By: Irene Best Nyapendi

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

By Irene Best Nyapendi
As the Uganda Airlines flight set off to Kenya from Entebbe Airport at 9:40 p.m. July 30, one particular passenger was on a seat for the first time. It was also Racheal Nantume.

“Feeling the plane accelerate down the runway and take off was amazing,” Nantume said.

During the 75-minute flight, Nantume says she enjoyed the in-flight snacks, most especially the airline chicken sandwich. 

“Being a chef, trust me when I say the chicken sandwich was good,” Nantume said.. “I loved it.” 

She was among the six member-team from Uganda Christian University (UCU) that traveled to attend the Impact Investment Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. The summit, which took place from July 31 to August 1, brought together delegates from across the globe, including entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and investors. It was hosted by the Transformational Business Network Africa.

It focused on bridging the gap between funders and entrepreneurs, unlocking hidden business potential, and exploring creative solutions to Africa’s challenges, emerging market trends, untapped sectors, and strategic pathways to capitalize on new opportunities. 

Held under the theme “Enabling Business Growth Through Access to Finance,” the event aligned with TBN’s mission to empower African entrepreneurs to reach their full potential and create jobs.

For the two days, the summit participants learned from a panel of 35 experienced investors. A total of 267 beneficiaries attended the summit. An anonymous Uganda Partners donor supported the participation of the UCU team by paying for their flights.

Nantume said the summit not only transformed her business — Ranaz Snack Series, a bakery and restaurant business she started in 2020 — but also her leadership approach. She has become more empathetic, collaborative, and open to new ideas. She has also empowered her team to take ownership and drive change.

“When I returned from Nairobi, I conducted customer feedback sessions, which revealed valuable insights into their needs,” said Nantume, who graduated from UCU in 2022 with a degree in Project Planning and Entrepreneurship. “Using their feedback, I urged my team to develop new products and services that address the client’s needs.”

Upon her return, she says she noticed a positive change in her mindset about the business — she started monitoring progress in her business by tracking key performance indicators to measure success. 

Nantume also is considering conducting a post-summit workshop to share key takeaways from the summit with her team.

Despite her success in the business, Nantume says she had been stuck and unsure of how to innovate and stay competitive. However, after being inspired by a keynote speaker at the summit, she realized the need to shift her focus from internal processes to customer-centric solutions. 

Jacob Zikusooka, the Regional Director of TBN, argued that investing in entrepreneurs creates jobs and ends poverty. “Entrepreneurship is the silver bullet for Africa’s development. Beyond teaching our people how to fish, at TBN, we help them find a place at the river to fish,” Zikusooka explained.

TBN builds the capacity of entrepreneurs by enabling businesses to grow, through technical assistance and mentoring, as well as facilitating collaboration among entrepreneurs to create a platform for knowledge sharing.  

Martin Kabanda, the UCU eLearning manager, a lecturer and a facilitator at the incubation hub, went for the summit to learn how to improve the hub’s model and increase partnerships. He was also looking for ways to overcome the challenge of limited funding for students, and his business.

At the summit, he realized that money is available for businesses that have a clear plan, good governance, and a focus on impact. 

“I will encourage my students that even when they have no funds, they should ensure that they are trustworthy, and have structures in their business, and money will come,” Kabanda said.

For Dorothy Tushemereirwe, an entrepreneur, and a fundraising consultant at UCU, it was her fifth trip to Kenya. She hoped to benefit from the summit as an entrepreneur and a maker of carpets.

And she struck a chord with the message of one of the panelists who said: “Business that doesn’t leave the bedroom goes to sleep.”

She now plans to expand her marketing efforts beyond WhatsApp, targeting supermarkets and furniture shops.

“I was happy to meet people who validated my role as a resource mobilizer, and I eagerly anticipate the partnerships arising from this summit,” she said.

Aston Aryamanya, a lecturer and facilitator at the UCU incubation hub, was motivated to attend the summit to learn from entrepreneurs and gain insights to support students at the hub.

“My role at the hub motivated me to attend, as students are constantly coming to me with business ideas, as well as seeking support,” Aryamanya said. “This was an opportunity to connect with entrepreneurs and learn how best to support my students.”

At the summit, he learned that investment meets ready ideas and that investors look for well-prepared and refined ideas, something which will enable him to mentor students and help them perfect their pitches.

“I want to start organizing monthly pitching events for my students,” he said. “I learned that we must mentor the students, listen to their ideas, provide constructive feedback, and offer support.”

Additionally, Aryamanya aims to create a pool of potential funders for students at the incubation hub so as to get capital without immediate repayment pressure.