Many students from the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Main/Mukono Campus and other campuses and constituent colleges are engaged in internships at different places of work. The internships are intended to enable students gain work experience while satisfying requirements for their university qualifications. Pauline Luba talked to some education, business and journalism students currently doing internships to learn their perceptions of this knowledge and training.

Christy Asiimwe, Bachelor of Arts in Education, third year, main campus. Intern at Acorns International School.

I am having a good experience. It is great that I get to serve as an intern at an international school. Due to the differences in the curriculum, many national universities will advise one to stick to a school that teaches the national curriculum. However, I like the fact that I will be able to learn about the International Baccalaureate curriculum so that I can see how it fits in our new national curriculum. I also like the exposure and the supportive environment. It has taken me some time to get a feel of what it means to work in the classroom. But I know I will, soon. 

Ninsiima Barbra, Diploma in Business Administration, Second year at UCU Bishop Barham University College,  Intern at Pride Microfinance, Kabale branch.

I will be spending two months as an intern at this microfinance institution. We are two UCU students here. To get here, I have to travel four kilometers (2.5 miles), which is quite far, but I am determined to make it happen without any challenges. I look forward to improving my accounting skills and understanding the banking system.  

Jonathan Okello, Bachelor of Arts in Education, third year, main campus. Intern at Mpoma School, Satellite Campus.

I was welcomed to the school well. There are other interns from different other institutions. At such postings, one can easily tell a student from UCU, based on how they dress and conduct themselves. The challenge we sometimes face is that since we have one more semester to study, we have to leave the schools and return to the university yet in some cases, some of the schools would like to retain us as staff. It feels like there will be a gap left when we return to the university. The co-operation and guidance from the other staff members at the school have been exceptional.

Dickson Twecungwire, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication, third year Bishop Barham University College. Intern at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, communications department.

My earlier days of internship first proved a challenge because at the university, we were taught the theory regarding public relations, which I am majoring in. Now, here, you have to put what you learned into practice. I like the fact that I get to write articles for the hospital newsletters and press releases. I also like that I get to do graphic design work. I’m currently working hard so that I can impress the management here and get retained as full-time staff.

Ainembabazi Shivan, Bachelor of Arts in Education, third year Bishop Barham University College. Intern at St. Theresa’s Girls School, Kanungu District.

I am an intern at a school where I was a student. And now I get to go back and share my knowledge with the students. The students here are quite friendly, which makes the working environment welcoming. Since this is my last internship before graduation, I hope to gain all the necessary skills and the experience that will enable me to succeed in the world of work.

Aaron Gamushabe, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication, third year Bishop Barham University College. Intern at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

I like the fact that there are people ready to guide me, especially my supervisor. The team is also quite friendly. I have learned many new things, such as posting content on the university website, and writing reports. I hope to get more practical skills and come out as a real professional who is ready for the world of work.

Ainembabazi Annah, Bachelor of Arts in Education, third year, Bishop Barham University College. Intern at Rwentobo High School.

This is a private school in Ntungamo district, western Uganda. The work environment is welcoming and we are learning quite many things as interns. There are some things that we never imagined in the world of work, but with the internship, we get the real experience of what it means to be in the world of work. For instance, we can only leave the workplace after 5 p.m. Now, that is something I did not expect, but thank God, I am now getting to learn it.

By Bena Nekesa
In the heart of Uganda Christian University (UCU), amidst the bustling academic endeavors and vibrant Mukono campus life, the UCU Fitness Club emerged. 

The club visionary is Charles Miti, age 31, a student working toward a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance, School of Business. While he struggled with a weight of 94 kilograms (207 pounds), he knew that body image was more than physical fitness. He envisioned a journey of holistic transformation that encompasses mental resilience and spiritual growth not just for himself but others. Since its inception a year ago, the club has become a cornerstone of support and empowerment for its members, touching the lives of students in profound ways.

The story of the UCU Fitness Club began when Charles engaged in a walk of 78.4 kilometers (48.7 miles) from Kampala to Jinja during the throes of the Covid-19 pandemic. The journey garnered others’ attention on social media platforms and further ignited a passion for health and fitness within Charles.

“I was inspired to create a space where others could embark on their own transformative voyages,” he said. “Walking is at the center of what we do, but it’s so much more. Fitness is medicine and is everything. Once you choose the road of fitness, you are cured physically, mentally and spiritually.”

With the support of like-minded individuals such as Edonu Emmanuel, a UCU School of Law student, the club took root, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie among its members. Charles’s  brother, a medical doctor, Joseph Ssebanenya, played crucial roles in the club’s inception. At the 2024 program launch in February, the brother provided insights about health and fitness. Additionally, Charles’s family, including two sisters and their parents, who are retired  farmers, formed a supportive foundation for his endeavors.

Through activities like hiking, swimming, and other physical challenges, the club members forged bonds that transcended mere acquaintanceship, evolving into a tight-knit community.

The American Medical Association reports exercise as a top contributor to a healthy and longer life. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO), regular exercise not only extends lifespan by up to 10 years, but also promotes overall health, reduces the risk of chronic diseases and enhanced cognitive function, leading to improved productivity and quality of life.

For Charles and the 50 other participants, the club represents more than just physical activity; it is a sanctuary of happiness and personal growth. Rejecting the allure of vices like clubbing and substance abuse, Charles and others have found fulfillment in the pursuit of holistic wellness. 

“Through prayer, fellowship, and shared experiences, our members discovered the transformative power of nurturing both body and spirit,” he said. 

The journey of the UCU Fitness Club has not been without its obstacles. From mobilizing members to overcoming usual college temptations of parties and societal misconceptions about fitness, the club faced its fair share of challenges. 

Contrary to perceptions, the pursuit of fitness did not detract from academic pursuits; rather, it complimented them. Members found that physical activity enhanced their cognitive abilities and provided a welcome respite from the rigors of academic life. Discussions during club activities often led to insights that translated into academic success, demonstrating the symbiotic relationship between physical and mental wellness.

As the club gained momentum, it became a beacon of hope. Through support and encouragement, individuals struggling with issues ranging from self-esteem to addiction found solace and strength within the club’s embrace.

“Through collective efforts, we have created a supportive community where individuals thrived, not just academically, but also emotionally and spiritually,” Charles, now weighing 74 kgs (163 lbs.), reflected. 

As Charles looks towards the future, he knows that the club’s journey is far from over. With each new member welcomed and each new challenge overcome, the legacy of the UCU Fitness Club should continue to thrive, empowering more minds, bodies, and spirits.

By Irene Best Nyapendi
In a strategic move to strengthen its research capabilities, Uganda Christian University (UCU) is taking its support for researchers to the next level with comprehensive grants, grant writing, and training sessions.
This initiative, under the direction of Dr. Angella Napakol, Head of Department Grants and Partnerships, demonstrates UCU’s dedication to fostering innovation and community impact beyond its focus on teaching.

Recognising the need to address low research engagement among its staff, UCU initiated research to uncover the underlying challenges. Feedback revealed critical gaps in funding availability, institutional support, and capacity-building opportunities.
In response, UCU instituted the Directorate of Research, Partnerships, and Innovation (DRPI), along with allocating funds to facilitate UCU researchers annually.

Now in its third round, the research funding initiative has been coupled with training sessions to equip staff with skills in grant writing and intellectual property management. The training has been carried out at UCU’s Arua campus, Mbale University College, and most recently at UCU Bishop Barham University College (BBUC).

“We realised that funding alone wasn’t sufficient to drive impactful research,” Napakol said. “Capacity building is equally essential.”

UCU Research Funding Opportunities

The initiative targets staff members at various career stages, offering tailored support ranging from associate professors to Ph.D. and master’s degree holders. Associate professors and professors have the potential to secure a funding allocation of up to 150 million shillings. Likewise, PhD holders stand to gain up to 50 million shillings, and Masters holders can access funding of up to 15 million shillings, based on the reviewer’s assessment.
The deadline for applications to the UCU Research Funds is fast approaching this Thursday, February 29, 2024. The funding, for instance, serves as a training ground for Master’s students through engagement in grant writing and management.
Napakol explained the crucial need for funding to support Master’s holders in grant management, research methodologies, and publication strategies.
“We realised that our staff needs financial support,” Napakol said. “The ultimate objective is to empower them to confidently pursue external grants.”
During the training at BBUC, Napakol led engaging discussions on grant writing, emphasising the importance of visibility, publications, and professional networking.

Participants were guided through the application process for grants, strategies for identifying funding opportunities, with a keen focus on enhancing their research profiles.

By encouraging staff participation in research and facilitating publication opportunities, UCU aims to elevate individual profiles while strengthening the university’s research portfolio.
Napakol further noted that the more staff write and publish, the better their profile becomes. This way, when they apply for an external grant, their profile looks attractive and credible, and they stand a higher chance of winning.

“As each individual in the university grows, so does the university because our profiles make up
the university profile,” Napakol said.
The three-day training attracted over 60 lecturers from BBUC. Moving forward, UCU remains dedicated to nurturing a research ecosystem that empowers its staff to make meaningful contributions to knowledge creation and societal advancement.
For more information, visit: https://grants.ucu.ac.ug/

By Irene Best Nyapendi
One of the reasons Reagan Okello loves art is it gives him the latitude to express himself beyond what the eyes and cameras can see. By doing so, Okello is able to tell a story that is different and  “complete.”

Take, for instance, one of the pieces with an imposing presence in Okello’s art gallery. The piece depicts eight people dancing in a nightclub. On a closer look, some of the people have animal heads in place of human heads. This is one example, Okello argues, that art has an edge over the human eye and the camera. No camera could ever capture people with animal heads. 

So, what is the story behind the animal heads’ art piece?

Okello says ordinarily, during the day, the actions of many people is something close to purity, which would be represented by white color. However, after nightfall, the same people assume different behavior, which is why each of the people in the art piece is painted wearing a colorful outfit. And because some people partake of intoxicants at night, they become less able to control what they do or say. To Okello, such people then begin to behave like animals. And that is the reason he put animal heads on some of the people. 

Currently a final-year student of Bachelor of Industrial Fine Art at Uganda Christian University (UCU), Okello says his dream is to offer a unique service to his clients once he fully joins the world of work. He says he would like to share with his client the passion, the peace and the fulfillment he gets while engrossed in his work. His dream is to offer a service where clients pay him to guide them through the process of drawing, so that they can recreate the same image he would have drawn for them. This way, he argues, clients can also experience the joy and the satisfaction that comes with drawing.

To refine his craft, Okello usually tries out painting using different styles, materials at his disposal and techniques. His love for painting and work with ceramics has endeared Okello to the community at UCU and beyond. 

In March last year, Okello participated in an international visual art competition for tertiary institution students from Uganda and the Nigerian community in Uganda and Nigeria.

A cross-cultural competition was held with the theme “My Impression of Nigeria, My Impression of Uganda.” Ugandan students focused on “My Impression of Nigeria.” while Nigerian participants produced artwork based on the theme, “My Impression of Uganda.”

In the competition, Okello was 22nd out of over 300 competitors from Uganda and received a certificate and drawing materials as a reward.

Currently, Okello devotes his Saturdays to teaching children how to draw and paint.

“It’s these children that I hope to employ in my art gallery in the future,” Okello said. “I want to set up the biggest art gallery in Uganda.” 

From the sale of his art pieces, Okello uses half of the proceeds to support his single mother who brews alcohol for a living. He lost his father in 2007.

Amidst the challenges of struggling to contend with a life with a peasant mother unable to afford his tuition fees, Okello was on the verge of giving up on education at a young age. However, the turning point came when Watoto, an organization that brings hope and healing to vulnerable women and children in Uganda and South Sudan, offered Okello support for his education. He also was given support for basic needs of life. 

“Watoto became my new family,” he said. “It was there that I found a sense of belonging and discovered my passion for art.”

Initially, Okello did not take art as a serious discipline. In fact, in A’level, his mind was on pursuing physics as a subject, even though he struggled to comprehend the subject matter. Upon discussing his academic struggles with his mentor, Marvin Ayebare, Okello was advised to drop physics and replace it with art. Okello hesitated, but he eventually gave in. 

As he stepped into the art class, Okello was amazed by the stunning artwork displayed on the walls. He felt unsure of his own abilities and wondered if he could ever create anything as beautiful. After years of sitting in the art class, Okello’s abilities started to match those of the artists whose works were pinned on the wall at the time he joined the class. For instance, some of his art pieces which were his final year project in A’level fetched him money. His first payment for one of the pieces was sh200,000 (about $52). When he received this payment, Okello says he resolved not to drop art. As such, making a decision for his university course became easy.

By Irene Best Nyapendi

In today’s rapidly evolving job market, transitioning from the academic sphere to professional life can be intimidating. However, equipped with the right guidance and mindset, students can transform this transition into success in the workplace. 

Uganda Christian University (UCU), Kampala Campus, in collaboration with TIG Network Afrika, an organization that stands for purposeful lives, and social development hosted a career development session on February 21 centered on the theme “School to Work Spaces.” 

The event featured distinguished guest speakers who shared insights and advice with UCU students, empowering them to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace.

Among them were notable figures such as the Deputy Inspector General of Government, Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria, Kalungu East Member of Parliament Francis Katabazi, Prof. Maggie Kigozi, a member of the board of Pepsi- Cola in Uganda, Ambassador Damalie Ssali, and Innocent Kawooya, among others.

Throughout the session, students were encouraged to be intentional in their pursuits, to step out of their comfort zones, and to prioritize continuous learning. 

As Prof. Maggie Kigozi aptly put it, “If you get a job, remember the many who were left, and they hired you, and aim to be the best employee. Don’t disappoint your employer.”

This emphasis on excellence resonated throughout the event, reminding students of the importance of diligence and commitment in achieving their professional goals.

Ambassador Damalie Ssali, emphasized the significance of habitual excellence, explaining to the students that what they continuously do is what they become. 

“Your habits are the ones that will raise you or pull you down,” she emphasized, highlighting the role of personal discipline in career advancement.

She also urged students to leverage technology and cultivate habits that would set them apart in a competitive job market. 

Drawing from personal experience, the Deputy Inspector General of Government, Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria, emphasized the evolving nature of the workspace, driven by technological advancements. 

She addressed the students, stressing the ongoing transformation of the workspace, propelled by technological advancements. 

Additionally, she emphasised the significance of networking and upholding integrity.

“Hard work is very critical for your reputation,” she said. “But also, networking is a powerful tool for personal growth, especially when paired with hard work.” 

Francis Katabazi, Member of Parliament, Kalungu East, encouraged students to embrace their uniqueness and entrepreneurial spirit. 

Katabazi emphasized the uniqueness of individuals and encouraged daily inspiration from this realization.

“Don’t try to be someone else, everyone is unique in their way,” Katabazi said.

He stressed the importance of problem-solving for financial gain, highlighting the perpetual demand for solutions in various areas such as food, clothing, and shelter. 

Katabazi also shared his experience of starting a business with an initial investment of 120,000 shillings, emphasizing the importance of presenting oneself effectively in all endeavors.

Vivian Arabella Aparo, a second year pursuing a Bachelor of Laws, reflected on the day as one she would forever hold dear and cherish. 

She expressed gratitude for the invaluable lessons gained during the career guidance session, highlighting the impact of being reminded to embrace her individuality and acknowledge her blessings.

“I was deeply moved to embrace my unique qualities because they make me who I am—different, special, and blessed,” Aparo said. “Above all, I internalized the powerful message that my dreams are within reach; if I can envision them, I can manifest them.”

Anita Mirembe Bisagaya, a third-year student pursuing medicine, left the session with the realization that she should treat everyone with respect, regardless of their status. She emphasised the importance of cultivating friendliness towards all.

“My key takeaway from the session was not to despise anyone, because I may never know who will take me where I want to be,” Bisagaya said.

Joel Jessy Kamya, a second-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Laws, took home insights on the significance of innovation and skillfulness in today’s world.

“I came to understand that our contemporary society thrives on individuals who are not only knowledgeable but also innovative and capable of inspiring others,” Kamya said. “Today we have been inspired, and I believe if we are inspired, we can inspire others.”

In the words of Prof. Maggie Kigozi, “There’s nothing you can’t be.” With this empowering message, UCU students are poised to seize the limitless opportunities awaiting them in the dynamic world of work.

By Irene Best Nyapendi

In the developing world, having a baby will be the riskiest thing a woman will do. Yet in many cases, mothers there deliver without any skilled attendant.

This is what makes organizations such as Save the Mothers (STM) relevant, according to Dr. Edward Mukooza the former Interim Director of STM, who handed over the directorship role to Dr. Mushin Nsubuga at Uganda Christian University (UCU) in Florence Mirembe Hall. 

STM believes that a multi-disciplinary approach is needed to save some of the 342,000 mothers and four million children who die in the developing world annually due to unsafe childbirth.

Dr. Mukooza notes that STM is highly relevant due to the high maternal and child mortality rates in Uganda. As a result, there is a lot of work to be done by Nsubuga, to seek support and mobilize resources.

He explained that saving the mothers requires resources, connections, partnerships, and people.

“I expect that he will strengthen the teaching of the Master of Public Health Leadership (MPHL) program because it is an important component of saving the mothers,” Mukooza said.

The STM Program offers MPHL to working professionals from a wide range of disciplines, not just the health discipline. STM East Africa hosts the MPHL at UCU.

Florence Mirembe, the founder of Save the Mothers at UCU, thanked Mukooza for filling in while they searched for a permanent executive director.

She urged Nsubuga to collaborate with alumni and ensure that the MPHL students are well-assessed and taught.

“We are all ready to support you Nsubuga, create a good alumni network, and attract as many students as possible,” Mirembe said.

UCU Welcomes Dr. Mushin Nsubuga to STM Board

Dr. Miriam Mutabazi, the Dean of the UCU Faculty of Public Health, Nursing & Midwifery, expressed gratitude towards STM for their partnership with UCU and is thrilled to see this partnership continue.

“On behalf of UCU, I welcome you, Dr. Mushin, and we look forward to working with you,” Mutabazi said. “We value the Save the Mothers program because of its BPHL initiative. We are confident that once we introduce the Ph.D. program, our alumni will return to further their studies.”

Mutabazi mentioned that they are currently planning to offer a PhD program and hope that MPHL students will be able to enroll in it.

Dr. Mushin Nsubuga, an Obstetrician and Gynecologist, was given a warm welcome to the board.

Nsubuga expressed gratitude to the founders for creating an opportunity for everyone to participate in saving mothers in their respective sectors.

He mentioned that saving mothers is close to his heart and he is grateful to God for calling him to this important work.

“No mother or baby should die from preventable causes,” Nsubuga said.

He expressed his gratitude to Mukooza, his predecessor, for imparting valuable knowledge and skills. Additionally, he acknowledged Mukooza for the warm welcome and confidently stated his hope for continued mentorship.

 “The first time I interacted with Dr. Mukooza I felt like I was in the hands of a father and he has successfully taken me through orientation.”

Nsubuga looks forward to training game changers, promoting initiatives that make hospitals more baby-mother friendly, ensuring the availability of necessary services, encouraging community involvement, and conducting research.

During the handover, he urged members present to continue supporting maternal health. He also read from Philippians 4:13, which states that we can do all things through God who strengthens us.

STM promotes maternal health in the developing world through education, public awareness, and advocacy. Based in Uganda and North America, Save the Mothers is part of a global movement to improve the health of mothers and babies.