Uganda Christian University (UCU) officially welcomed its newest cohort of students into the university community on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi challenged them to pursue excellence not just in the classroom, but in character, leadership and service to others.

Addressing the induction ceremony, Mushengyezi called on students to embody what he termed “UCUness,” the distinct values, character and identity that define membership in the UCU community.

“Your excellence has to be visible and tasted by those around you,” he told the new students, adding that true excellence extends beyond grades to how students treat others, lead, and show up in their relationships.

Grounding his remarks in Scripture, Mushengyezi drew on Colossians 3:24 to frame service as an act of worship. He pressed students to examine their motives when given responsibility, whether in student leadership, ministry, or everyday interactions.

“When you are serving these people God has trusted you with, do you serve them with other intentions, or do you serve them as if you are serving God?” he asked, urging the students to lead with humility and sincerity rather than self-interest.

He noted that as we are serving God’s people, we are serving God, and if God blesses us with that position, we should serve the people as if we are serving God.

He closed with a call to perseverance: “Don’t give up. Let’s strive for excellence.”

UCU Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, David Mugawe, echoed the call, urging students to fully immerse themselves in the university’s academic, leadership, social and extracurricular offerings.

“UCU commits to giving you a wonderful life, a perfect life,” Mugawe told the gathering, encouraging students to treat excellence as a defining thread of their university journey. “Let’s demonstrate excellence, and let’s be part of that excellence.”

Tuesday’s induction ceremony marked the formal start of university life for the new students, many of whom are stepping onto campus for the first time. University leadership expressed confidence that the incoming class would uphold UCU’s values as they pursue both academic and personal growth over the coming years.