Uganda Christian University (UCU) has handed over Christmas hampers worth sh42m ($11,455.5) to 630 staff members – both those with reduced salaries and no salaries to lessen the financial impact of COVID-19 restrictions. The lockdown that started in March included government orders to close the country’s academic institutions, affecting the flow of revenue for universities, including UCU, which has relied on student tuition to operate. This has meant no payment to most staff and lessened payment to a reduced number of staff since May 2020. Incoming Vice-Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi charged a seven-member team to raise funds to assist.   Prof. Mushengyezi said the team managed to collect enough money to allow each staff member to receive a holiday package worth 80,000 shillings or $21 American. For five days, beginning Dec. 10, the hampers of sugar, beans, maize flour, tea, soap, wheat flour and salt were distributed. (Photos and information provided by UCU student, Ivan Isebeni)

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