By Jimmy Siyasa

A Uganda Christian University (UCU) delegation led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, took part in the 2026 East Africa Hub Convening, held in Nairobi, Kenya, on October 1–2, 2026. The convening was hosted by The Education Collaborative in partnership with United States International University – Africa (USIU-Africa).

Under the theme “Students First: Advancing Sustainable, Tech-Enabled Campuses for Equitable & Transformative Student Outcomes,” the gathering drew participants from 10 countries and more than 30 higher education institutions, with over 40 speakers and more than 150 participants from a wide range of disciplines.

The UCU delegation

Alongside the Vice Chancellor, UCU was represented by (R-L):

• Mr. David Mugawe, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Finance & Administration
• Ms. Sandra Namisango, Students’ Accountant
• Mrs. Harriet Adong Atuyambe, Director of Communication & Public Relations
• Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, Vice Chancellor
• Ms. Rebecca Kangabe, Director, University ICT Services
• Mrs. Enid Ashaba Mugarura, Ag. Director of Student Affairs
• Prof. David Andrew Omona, Director, Africa Policy Centre
• Mr. Mark Kugonza, Software Developer

Technology in service of students

Opening the convening, the Vice Chancellor of USIU-Africa, Prof. Mwenda Ntarangwi, set the tone for the two days. “A university that puts students first will use technology to make access to all services easier, make support proactive, make learning more inclusive, and make institutions more accountable,” he said.

“Technology is not the goal; students are the goal,” Prof. Ntarangwi added.

Are African universities truly student-centred?

That question ran through the convening’s discussions. It reaches into every part of university life: how students access services and support, how learning is delivered, and how institutions are held accountable for the experience they offer.

The make-up of UCU’s delegation, spanning university leadership, finance, ICT, student affairs, policy and communication, reflects how broad that conversation is. For UCU, whose promise is a complete education for a complete person, putting students first is a commitment that touches every office on campus.