The Hamu Mukasa Library is the single most significant development project for Uganda Christian University.
Uganda is becoming one of the most successful countries on the continent of Africa for a variety of reasons-education being one of them. One of the greatest success stories has been the founding in 1997 of Uganda Christian University, 25 kilometres east of Kampala, in Mukono. The University has grown from 120 students to over 10,000 students (including our affiliated campuses) in the 2011/12 academic year.
We dedicated the new library in honor of Mr. Hamu Mukasa, who gave the land in 1905 on which the University sits. Mukasa was one of the first educated Ugandans and wrote:
"A great city is not built in one year. Let us then go ahead slowly and surely; perhaps our grandchildren will be much wiser than we are, but we should encourage our children daily to learn all they can, that they may teach their children after we have gone, and so they may go in increasing in wisdom both in mind and in handicrafts."
I am sure Hamu Mukasa would be amazed and delighted to see the progress of Uganda Christian University these past years. But I also think he would say: "A great university deserves a great library."
Over the past ten years, the University's partners abroad and in Uganda have helped with many projects including the building of new halls of residence, lecture blocks, water treatment plant, a sports complex, sewerage treatment plant; supporting academic and spiritual programs; and offering about 1000 scholarships this year worth over Ush1.2billion.
And while these building projects and programs have helped, there has been a major deficiency: a place where students can study and have access to resource materials.
We are very excited about this project! The Hamu Mukasa Library is centrally located to accommodate about 2000 students and faculty each day with an additional study space in an open courtyard inside the complex. Already UCU has received major donations of textbooks but most have been stored for a more adequate space. Most notable was a gift from World Vision of 10,000 new text books covering many topics of the more than fifty academic programs that are offered.
We hope you will share our vision and help us with this new Library! As you see in the photo, the new Library is a state of the art building with wonderful space of independent research, group study space, and computer access. It is certainly a challenge but one that will change the lives of thousands of students not only in Mukono district but in Uganda and all of Africa. We are in the business of helping to educate young Africans for Christ and believe that God will bless all of us in seeing this come to a reality!
A great university deserves a great library!
Warm regards,
Prof. Stephen Noll
The Ham Mukasa Library Donor Opportunities
The following levels of giving are suggested for various important features of the new Ham Mukasa Library at Uganda Christian University.
Platinum Donor – $500,000 to $1 million
Law Library (third floor)
Entrance atrium
Gold Donor – $100,000-$250,000
Complete library furnishing – tables, chairs, counters, etc.
Main reading area on second or third floors
Silver Donor – $50,000-$100,000
Inner Courtyard
Conference or Seminar Rooms
Bronze Donor – $10,000-$50,000
Outer Entrance Plaza
Solar Lighting
Note: The University will grant, where appropriate, for an object or space in the Library to be named in honour of donor or person of the donor’s choice. Other options for giving are available.
Donations of any size are appreciated. We can accept donations through PayPal or mail. If you have questions or would like to explore naming opportunities, please contact us.
