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.

Uganda Christian University Students Innovation Challenge Call for Proposals, 2024

Introduction

Uganda Christian University (UCU), guided by its vision, aspires to be a leading institution in research and development across disciplines applicable to the institutional, national, and global environment. To achieve this, UCU has made efforts to create an enabling environment for research, including establishing research coordination structures under the Directorate of Research, Partnerships and Innovation (DRPI). UCU aims to create and stimulate innovations that solve real-world problems and challenges for societal transformation.

Against this background, UCU has established the Uganda Christian University Student Innovation Challenge (UCU-SIC) under the Uganda Christian University-Research Fund (UCU-RF) framework, coordinated by DRPI. The UCU-SIC is an annual competition for UCU registered students, providing support and funding for innovative and viable ideas. The Challenge seeks to create an inclusive space for innovation, encouraging students to turn their ideas into prototypes and commercial products that can be scaled up into successful innovations and entrepreneurial business ventures.

The Challenge benefits student-led projects in agriculture, food and nutrition, engineering, ICT, health, and other applied science fields aligned with the University’s research agenda. Proposals will undergo rigorous assessment, focusing on new products and innovations addressing real-world problems and market needs.

The Call

UCU invites students with innovative ideas tailored to market and societal challenges to submit concept proposals for consideration under this funding window. Students must form multidisciplinary teams with a minimum of three individuals, clearly indicating their respective roles on the project. Teams must integrate a UCU staff member as a mentor.

Eligibility

The UCU-SIC call is open to fully registered UCU students across all campuses with an idea or solution that could have a positive impact on society. All main team members must be enrolled and registered UCU students at any level (Diploma, BSc., or postgraduate levels). Students must form multidisciplinary teams geared towards developing new technologies, innovative business ideas, and competitive products.

Selection Process

1. Submission of concept proposals with innovative ideas (2 pages max, Times New Roman 12, spacing 1.5).

2. All submitted concept proposals will undergo internal and external technical review for merit.

3. Shortlisted proposals will undergo training, including validation of proposed ideas and innovations, Intellectual Property Management, Certification, communication coaching, entrepreneurship support, and product and business development.

4. Teams will pitch their proposals to a panel of judges (technical and industry experts) to assess viability and practicability.

5. Final selection of winning projects and award.

The Award

A maximum of ten winning teams will be awarded up to USD 1,000 to actualize their idea for six months. Teams will also benefit from continuous mentorship and linkages to upscaling opportunities, including incubation.

Submission

Call opens on 23rd July 2024. Submit concept proposals to the Directorate of Research, Partnerships and Innovations (DRPI) through the UCU Grant Management Portal (https://grants.ucu.ac.ug) and email: grants@ucu.ac.ug by Friday 23rd August 2024, 11:59 pm. Note that this Call will close immediately after the deadline, and no submissions will be accepted thereafter.

Guide for Concept Development

1. Title (not more than 10 words)

2. Background & Rationale/Motivation (not more than 300 words)

3. Problem being addressed (not more than 100 words)

4. The innovation (strategies to address the problem above) (not more than 250 words)

5. Methodology (how to achieve the innovation/strategies) (not more than 300 words)

6. Amount requested

7. Team composition (include Access Number for each student and particulars of a mentor)

For inquiries and more information, please contact: Mr. Hamilton Mbokureeba, hmbokureeba@ucu.ac.ug, +256782281661

By Irene Best Nyapendi
The Uganda Studies Program (USP), run by Uganda Christian University (UCU), was formed with the expectation that the semester-long offering for North American students would survive on strong partnerships. 

Twenty years later, the bond for the partnership that was envisaged has  become stronger with the program registering milestones. The latest of the milestones was the recent visit to UCU by 21 representatives from 11 USA Christian universities and colleges that are affiliated to the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). 

The spring 2024 visit aimed to strengthen partnerships, explore more opportunities for collaboration and give the United States faculty a feel of the experience that American students go through during the USP program at UCU. USP offers an opportunity for students to engage with the local culture and people and to experience contemporary realities in Uganda. Through classes, internships, and homestays, students experience authentic cross-cultural immersion.

The USP social work students and their UCU counterparts often have regular meetings during the semester, facilitated by USP social work coordinator, Nazjè Mansfield , and Kasule Kibirige, the head of UCU’s social work department. 

The meetings are intended to help American social work students to experience the culturally-embedded nature of their discipline, discussing ethical dilemmas and differing obligations in individual-based versus community-based societies.

The late May visit to UCU included representatives from Bethel University (Minnesota), Calvin University (Michigan), Grove City College (Pennsylvania), Liberty University (Virginia), Messiah University (Pennsylvania), Missouri Baptist University, Palm Beach Atlantic University (Florida), Westmont College (California) and Wheaton College (Illinois).

UCU’s membership in CCCU dates back to 2002, when the university became an international affiliate. Although CCCU ceased coordinating study-abroad programs in 2020, individual Christian universities in the United States continue to maintain partnerships.

Mark Bartels, who launched USP at UCU 20 years ago and also serves as the Executive Director of the Uganda Partners nonprofit, said: “The visit was organized by UCU and USP, and it’s because of the CCCU that these relationships exist.”

UCU’s Vice Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, often attends the annual conference for all CCCU presidents in Washington, D.C.

During the 2023 CCCU Presidents’ Annual Conference, Mushengyezi met with the CCCU President, Dr. Shirley Hoogstra, and other university presidents who send study-abroad students to UCU.

Bartels also expressed hope for potential collaboration beyond USP, acknowledging that they take time to develop and highlighted the benefits of potential partnerships.

“While partnership development is time consuming, when they happen, there are multiple benefits,” Bartels said. “They provide opportunities for connection, helping institutions grow through staff exchanges, benefiting both UCU and the sending institution.”

Eric Michael Washington, a Professor of History at Calvin University, shared his impressions of UCU during his first visit to Uganda and his fifth trip to Africa.

“I love the students’ dress code, it communicates that education is a serious proposition, and you should take it seriously,” said Washington, who was awarded Professor of the Year at his university in 2018. “It’s evident through UCU students that while it’s important to study hard, you should also dress in a way that reflects Christian values and the seriousness of your work.”

Washington also expressed admiration for UCU’s comprehensive degree programs, including PhDs, which are not offered at Calvin University.

As a professor, Washington was interested in learning about USP and exploring opportunities for his students to participate. 

He was impressed by the flexibility of the USP, noting that it can accommodate students from various disciplines, not just social work, promising to recruit more students for the exchange program.

Paul C. Kemeny, a Professor of Religion and Humanities at Grove City College, said the impressions of UCU exceeded his expectations. 

“My impression of UCU, after reading on its website, showed that it is a strong institution, but being here makes me realize it’s even stronger than I had imagined,” he said. “It’s not just about the size of the campus, but the university’s commitment to advancing the Christian mission and preparing the students to live meaningful lives that glorify the Lord.”

Kemeny said both UCU and Grove City College have a wide range of majors and required Bible courses. However, he also acknowledged the differences such as size.  UCU is a larger university than Grove City College. 

He said his college offers two-week travel courses that allow students to travel to foreign countries. 

Diane Krusemark, the Registrar at Wheaton College, Chicago, said the visit to UCU also was her first to Africa. She expressed delight in the local Ugandan cuisine, including green bananas and ground nut stew. 

Krusemark described the 150-year-old Wheaton College as flat and with indoor buildings and a student union center that serves as a hub for activities. Her visit was motivated by Wheaton College’s desire to become a “School of Record” for USP, which would allow them to consider courses taken by students at UCU. 

A School of Record is a United States-accredited institution that awards credits for courses or programs taken by students at non-U.S.-accredited institutions or through independent program providers collaborating with U.S.-accredited institutions for coursework taken abroad.

Sherita Washington, a Professor of Social Work from Calvin University, was impressed by the students she met, noting that their wit, love for Christ, and professionalism was evident. She expressed appreciation for the Christian aspect of UCU and the students’ bold expression of their faith. Her visit aimed to explore USP and establish a partnership for her department. 

“I had the chance to meet some students and share a meal with them,” she noted.

Mr. Peter Kiwumulo, a seasoned lecturer at Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) School of Social Sciences, has been an integral part of the institution since 2011. With a wealth of experience in teaching and community leadership, he has made a significant impact on the lives of numerous students.

Born and raised in Buikwe District, Mr. Kiwumulo has served in the Local Government as a councilor for Ngogwe sub county in Buikwe from 2001 to 2005. Before joining UCU, he worked as a part-time lecturer at Makerere University, Kampala Uganda for two years.

Mr. Kiwumulo was drawn to UCU’s serene environment, Christian background, and proximity to his home. He appreciates the university’s commitment to excellence and its impact on the community.

He attributes UCU’s uniqueness to its facilities, library, peaceful environment, and ICT services.

Mr. Kiwumulo’s teaching approach is centered around student-centered learning, encouraging students to research, present, and engage in peer learning.

His passion for teaching is evident in his words: “I feel happiest when I am before a class, especially when students seem to comprehend what I am talking about.”

Many students have passed through Mr. Kiwumulo’s hands, and he feels that it is incredibly fulfilling to see his former students succeed.

Some of his former students have been helpful in his life. He recalls a particular instance when he was at the Uganda Passport Office, and a student recognized him, called him over, was able to quicken his passport application process, and even made the payments for it.

“Many students have passed through my hands, and I feel a sense of pride and joy when I find them in prominent offices, and they call me by name,” said Mr. Kiwumulo.

Mr. Kiwumulo has witnessed significant infrastructural developments at UCU over the past decade, including the construction of new buildings and the introduction of online learning. He has also seen an increase in colleagues pursuing PhDs, which he believes is a testament to the university’s commitment to academic excellence.

“I have seen most of my colleagues graduate with PHDs which was not very common then,” Mr. Kiwumulo said.

Mr. Kiwumulo is currently focused on soft skills training, which he believes is essential for students’ success. He emphasizes the importance of soft skills, such as emotional intelligence, personal branding, and time management.

As his time for retirement gets closer, he plans to dedicate his time to offering soft skills training. He also hopes to continue sharing his knowledge and skills with students even after his retirement.

Mr. Kiwumulo has also started mentoring retired professionals through the Uganda Professional Senior Citizens Network.

“Working with colleagues and friends, we have started something called Uganda Professional Senior Citizens Network, where we aim to train and empower retired professionals to be more useful by helping them write their experiences and pass on their knowledge to the next generation,” said Mr. Kiwumulo.

He expresses his gratitude to UCU’s founding management for creating an institution that has given him a platform to share his knowledge and skills. He also thanks his colleagues for their support and camaraderie.

“UCU has not only employed me, but has given me a sense of belonging, and an identity,” he said.

In recognition of his dedicated service, Mr. Kiwumulo received an award recognizing him for the 10 years of service at UCU.

Mr. Kiwumulo is a proud father of four daughters, with his firstborn being a UCU alumni.

Compiled by: Irene Best Nyapendi

Edited by: Harriet Adong, Director Communications and Public Relations – Vice Chancellor’s Division

By Irene Best Nyapendi
For seven years, starting this year, Uganda Christian University (UCU) will be striving to transform its face through digitization, infrastructure refurbishment and greening the campuses. To achieve this initiative that seeks to improve the student experience, the university also will pay attention to improving the staff motivation to enable employees to become agents of transformation.  

According to UCU Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, the project, named the Campus Transformation Initiative 2024-2030, seeks to bring to life the vision of the founders of the university.

Speaking at the project launch in late May, Mushengyezi explained that the seven-year timeline is significant, drawing inspiration from biblical themes of perfection, completion and abundance. This signature initiative formed part of the report card that Mushengyezi gave to the university stakeholders during the Vice Chancellor’s address at the UCU graduation on July 5.

“God created the world in seven days and it was perfect, so we are believing in God for a season of perfection of his work here at UCU,” Mushengyezi said in May.

UCU Campus Transformation Initiative at a glance:

1. Digitized Campus Services: UCU aims to leverage technology to enhance the student experience, improve efficiency, and streamline campus operations. This includes the implementation of digital platforms for learning, administration, and communication. “We want to emphasize a digitalized campus, so that our stakeholders can relate with us in a faster and efficient way,” said Mushengyezi.
2. Refurbished Campus Infrastructure: The university plans to renovate and upgrade its facilities to create a conducive learning environment. This includes the construction of new buildings and refurbishment of classrooms, libraries, and other infrastructure. “Some of our buildings have served their time and may have to come down to give room for bigger and better infrastructure,” Mushengyezi explained. “Even the ones we can still use, we want to renovate them so that we can have a conducive environment for our lecturers and students to enjoy.”
3. Paved and Remodeled Walkways and Roads: UCU aims to upgrade its walkways and roads to create a safe and accessible campus environment. This includes paving and remodeling walkways, roads, and parking areas to enhance mobility and accessibility. 
4. Landscaped, Green and Clean Campuses: The university is committed to creating and maintaining a beautiful, green, and sustainable campus. This includes landscaping, planting trees and flowers, and implementing initiatives to keep the campus clean and green. The goal is to create a conducive environment for staff and students, and to make UCU a benchmark for campus transformation globally. 
5. Trained, Equipped, and Motivated Team to Lead the Transformation: UCU is committed to developing a team of highly skilled and dedicated professionals who will drive the transformation process. This team will be equipped with the necessary tools and resources to ensure the initiative’s success.

Students welcome initiative
Ryan Asabo, a year-one student pursuing a Bachelor of Procurement and Logistic Management, expressed joy for the ongoing transformations at UCU. Asabo, who is on a sports bursary at UCU, was drawn to the university due to its promise of academic and sports transformations.

“I’m excited to enjoy some of the transformations, like the paving of the walkways,” he said.”I’m sure many more students will be attracted to UCU because of some of the transformations being undertaken.”

Lillian Akao, a second-year student pursuing Bachelor of Business Administration, has expressed her satisfaction with the ongoing transformations at UCU.  She says the value for her money is evident in the quality of services and facilities provided. She is confident that the transformations will further enhance the UCU experience.

Ruth Rebecca Lamo, a first-year student pursuing a Higher Education Certificate in Arts, finds the university “very attractive” and is thrilled to see the renovations and the five-point plan for the next seven years.

“This initiative will make UCU more competitive not only in Uganda, but also in the region,” said Lamo. “I’m looking forward to pursuing my bachelor’s degree here to experience what the university will be like through the initiative.”

Emmanuel Olelema, a final-year student pursuing Bachelor of Education, commends UCU for its well-planned activities: “I like the five-point plan and the fact that they have already started on implementing it, I now have faith there will be no more dust and mud at UCU,” Olelema said.

Uganda Christian University (UCU) has today, Friday, July 5^th, 2024, graduated a total of 1,160 students at its main campus in Mukono, Kampala during the first part of its 25th Graduation Ceremony. Among the graduates, 538 were male and 622 were female. Of these, 24 students achieved first-class honors, with 14 being female and 11 male.

The 1,160 students graduating with diplomas and degrees today came from disciplines including: Education, Law, Social Work and Social Adminstration, Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, Business Adminstration, Accounting and Finance, Development Studies, Engineering and Public Administration among others.

Sarah Nsereko emerged as the overall best student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.72. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

Timothy Ddumba, a former UCU Guild President, emerged as the best male student, with a CGPA of 4.64, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.

The university Chancellor His Grace The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, thanked the UCU Vice Chancellor and his dedicated staff for their tireless efforts and exemplary leadership. He noted that, it is the commitment of the UCU Vice Chancellor and team around him which has kept the university growing from strength to strength.

Dr. Kaziimba noted that this ceremony marks a significant milestone in the life of UCU graduates who have dedicated years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice to reach this momentous occasion.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the graduating class of 2024,” said Dr. Kaziimba. “As you step out into the world, beyond the UCU gates, I encourage you to keep learning because learning is the only thing the mind will never get exhausted of, fear, nor regret.”

He mentioned that today the graduates stand on a face fold of a new chapter in their lives, equipped not only with knowledge and skills but also with values that reflect the philosophy of UCU.

Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, the University Vice Chancellor noted that UCU graduates are known for being different in whatever they do hence they should go and shine in the marketplace.

As he delivered his remarks, the UCU Vice Chancellor congratulated staff members upon their awards and accolades, also mentioning his own Golden Jubilee Medal awarded by the President of the Republic of Uganda for his contribution to the education sector.

Prof. Elizabeth Kizito, Director of Research Partnerships and Innovation, being elected President of the All Africa Horticulture Congress, which will be hosted by UCU in 2028.

Prof. Emily Maratcho, from the School of Journalism, Media, and Communication, being elected Board Chairperson of the African Centre for Media Excellence.

Prof. Angella Napakol, Director of Academic Affairs, being promoted to Associate Professor among others.

Prof. Mushengyezi later took the guests through some of the other achievements UCU has registered in the recent past.

For the sixth year in a row, UCU emerged as the overall “Best Exhibitor” among both public and private universities in Uganda during the National Council for Higher Education Exhibition which was hosted by UCU at its regional college in Mbale.

NCHE recently accredited a PhD in Journalism, Media, and Communication (JMC); a PhD in Development Studies; a PhD in Business Administration; a Master of Arts in African Studies; and a Master of Literature among others.

UCU emerged first runner-up at the 2023 Inter-University games, with six gold medals.

UCU has signed a partnership with Millersville University for student and staff exchanges, joint research, and other activities.

UCU has launched a seven-year campus transformation initiative.

The new Kampala campus building was handed over to UCU by the contractors on May 20th, and construction of parking lots, renovation of buildings, and infrastructural improvements are ongoing at regional campuses.

The UCU “Just for 10k” campaign has raised 167 million Ugandan shillings, supporting over 100 needy students.

UCU has strengthened partnerships with the US and regional based partners, including St. Paul’s University in Kenya, and signed a partnership agreement with Accelerated Christian Education Enterprise in South Africa.

The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences received an Erasmus grant worth 800,000 Euros.

A team led by Dean Dr. Rose Mary Bulayaba received 50 million Uganda shillings through the UCU research fund among other grants.

UCU students of Computer Science were awarded the best pitching team at one of the national hackathon sessions among other achievements.

Prof. Mushengyezi urged all graduates to face the world with the courage and boldness of one who has a vision and purpose in life.

“Pursue your dream relentlessly, and as you do so, demonstrate excellence in word and in deed as a servant leader that UCU has prepared you to be,” said Prof. Mushengyezi.

He also encouraged them to make the most of the knowledge and skills they have acquired while at UCU, their cherished alma mater.

Prof. Daniel Wubah Urged UCU Graduates to Drive Positive Change

Prof. Daniel Asua Wubah, a Ghanaian-born, and the President of Millersville University of Pennsylvania who was the guest of honor at the ceremony, urged graduands to be advocates of positive change in their communities. 

He noted that while it may be tempting to view success solely in terms of personal achievements most important individuals in history are not those who focused solely on their own achievements but rather those who used their talents to make the world a better place.

Prof. Wubah encouraged the graduates not to be anxious, assuring them that their education has provided the skills needed to turn challenges into opportunities.

“Graduates remember you have been prepared to go and change the world,” said Prof. Wubah. “The world needs your expertise, creativity, and commitment to serving others.”

Compiled by: Irene Best Nyapendi

Edited by: Harriet Adong, Consultant at UCU’s Communication and Public Relations Department