All posts by Edwin Byarugaba

Namayanja Christabel

Hospital internship welcomes UCU graduate to the weight of being a doctor

News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Medicine, , ,


Namayanja Christabel
Namayanja Christabel

By Kefa Senoga
On the second day of her medical internship, Namayanja Christabel faced a test no textbook could have prepared her for. It was night shift. She was asked to confirm the death of a patient. The hospital was St. Francis Naggalama Hospital in Mukono.

“The child was just eight years old,” she recalls. “When I arrived, he was barely breathing. We tried resuscitation, but all efforts were futile, and he didn’t make it.”

It fell on Namayanja, a young and fresh intern, to deliver the devastating news to the grieving mother.

“I was hurting too, but I had to stay composed and professional,” she said. “That’s what this job demands of us.”

Namayanja on her graduation at UCU
Namayanja on her graduation at UCU

For Namayanja, this moment was a clear reminder of some of the weight of the career she had opted for – being the bearer of the sad news to relatives who are looking up to you with the hope of saving their loved one. 

After completing the first half of her internship at the hospital, Namayanja says that she was transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital for the final half, which she is set to complete by July 2025.

To practice medicine in Uganda, all medical graduates are required to undergo a one-year mandatory internship. It involves supervised medical work, where interns are deployed to train in hospitals under the supervision of senior doctors. However, due to the shortage of medical personnel, most of the government hospitals rely heavily on medical interns to attend to overwhelming numbers in medical facilities.

“The journey to practicing medicine has been long, filled with sacrifice and deep resolve,” Namayanja explains. 

She studied at the Uganda Christian University (UCU) School of Medicine and graduated in July 2024.

“My parents always encouraged me to focus on science disciplines,” she says. “They saw this path even before I did.”

Namayanja’s parents – Christopher and Florence Bwanika – wanted her to pursue medicine. She says that they encouraged her to put emphasis on science subjects in secondary school in order to prepare her for this path. Namayanja studied at the Church-founded Gayaza High School, near Kampala. 

She believes that the knowledge she acquires in medical training enables her to offer the first line of treatment to her close relatives. Despite the intensity of the work in the medical field, Namayanja says that she finds fulfillment in the everyday victories.

“The most rewarding moment is when a patient walks out of the hospital, and you remember how bad their condition was when they came in,” she said.

Namayanja has already completed rotations in several departments in her internship. She has handled minor surgeries, prescribed treatment plans and discharged patients after noticeable recovery. In essence, she notes that she has been actively practicing general medicine, applying what she learned in class to real-life patient care.

She highlights that the medical profession is like the military, noting that when she was still in medical school, she thought the intense schedules and tight deadlines were the toughest it could get, but once she stepped foot in the field, she realized it only gets more demanding. 

A doctor’s work schedule doesn’t recognize weekends or public holidays. Any day can be a full working day – because people do not make appointments with sickness. 

“We usually have a day off, the most you can have in a week is one day off,” Namayanja said. “On average, I work about 12 hours a day. It’s only during the occasional free moment that I get to catch up with family and friends.”.

Amid the medical grind, Namayanja keeps her eyes on the bigger picture. Beyond treating patients, she hopes to, one day, influence Uganda’s health policies. 

“Working at Mulago Hospital has opened my eyes to how unequal access to quality care is,” she notes. “I don’t know how yet, but I want to be part of the solution, maybe through leadership, or another platform.”

She’s also set her sights beyond the hospital ward. “I want to improve my financial literacy. It’s something many medical professionals struggle with,” she said. “And in this digital era, I’m interested in AI and other technologies. The world is moving fast, and I want to stay equipped.”

Despite all the learning that happens on the job, Namayanja believes UCU’s training gave her a strong foundation. 

“The lecturers really prepare you,” she said. “Everything I’m doing now, I was taught in class in one way or another. But nothing prepares you for the emotional reality of being in the ward. You learn that during your internship.”

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To support UCU programs, students, activities and services, go to  www.ugandapartners.org  and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at  m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.

Ronald Beinomugisha Katungi (left) with fellow leaders of the UCU Alumni Association and UCU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi (center)

‘You can lead even outside your technical field’

News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU Bishop Barham University College, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication, , , , ,


Ronald Beinomugisha Katungi (left) with fellow leaders of the UCU Alumni Association and UCU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi (center)
Ronald Beinomugisha Katungi (left) with fellow leaders of the UCU Alumni Association and UCU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi (center)

By Kefa Senoga
When Ronald Beinomugisha Katungi began his journey in communication, he quickly felt at ease behind the microphone. As a student at the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Bishop Barham University College (BBUC) in Kabale, he became a well-known voice on the campus radio, where his shows were broadcast across the university. He says both students and staff enjoyed listening to him.

“Everyone thought I would end up as a journalist or a news anchor,” Beinomugisha recalls. “I was doing well on radio, and I also used to moderate and emcee at student events. It just seemed like the natural path.”

But his journey took a different direction – one that eventually led him into the center of Uganda’s public relations field.

Recently, Beinomugisha, the General Secretary of the UCU Alumni Association, was elected Vice President of the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU), becoming the first UCU alumnus to be elected to such a position. PRAU is the umbrella body of all public relations professionals in Uganda.

Born in Bugongi, Kabale district, in southwestern Uganda, Beinomugisha is the fifth of seven children. 

“I come from a humble background,” he says. “My parents – Fred and Sarah Katungi – taught us to rely on God and to work hard.”

Ronald Beinomugisha Katungi
Ronald Beinomugisha Katungi

Just months after graduation, Beinomugisha notes that he was called back to BBUC to serve as the university’s Public Relations Officer. 

“That’s where my PR story really began,” he says.

Although journalism was his first love, Beinomugisha says he was drawn more to the broader field of public relations. 

“I discovered that PR allowed me to tell stories, build reputations and influence institutions in ways that were meaningful and impactful,” he says.

According to Beinomugisha, he later served as an Assistant Lecturer in the Departments of Mass Communication and Social Sciences at BBUC, teaching communication skills for four years. In 2020, he moved to Victoria University as Head of Recruitment, a role that also involved communication duties due to the absence of a PR officer at the time. At Victoria University, he spearheaded national student recruitment campaigns, significantly boosting enrollment and forging key stakeholder relationships. 

In 2022, Beinomugisha joined the Uganda Society of Architects as Executive Secretary and the chief executive, a position he held until 2024. At this organization, he directed organizational strategy, professional events and industry partnerships while strengthening stakeholder relations. 

“That role taught me that with the right skills, you can lead even outside your technical field,” he says.

Now serving in PRAU leadership, Beinomugisha says he is committed to spreading the association’s presence beyond Kampala. 

“Many activities have mainly happened in the city, but we want to start PRAU chapters in different parts of the country,” he explains.

Beinomugisha reveals that together with his colleagues at PRAU, there are plans of advocating a Public Relations Bill. Once it becomes law, it will weed out non-professionals who have infiltrated the field of PR. 

“As PRAU Vice President, we want to guide young PR professionals and ensure that university curricula reflect industry needs,” he said. “It’s important that students graduate with market-relevant skills.” 

Despite juggling several leadership roles and running his PR agency, Beinomugisha notes that he remains committed to his faith and family. 

“I put everything I do in God’s hands,” he says. “And no matter how busy I am, I always make time for my wife and children, especially on weekends.”

His wife, Patience Beinomugisha, with whom he has three children, is his greatest supporter who “constantly motivates” him and serves as his “first source of inspiration.”

He completed his primary education at Kabale Parents School and later moved to Kabale Trinity College for his entire secondary education before enrolling at BBUC-UCU to study Mass Communication and Public Relations. He graduated in 2016, emerging the best student in his class. 

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To support UCU programs, students, activities and services, go to  www.ugandapartners.org  and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at  m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.

Nkundizana Epaphra Muhammed sorts the coffee beans before starting the production. (Courtesy Photo)

Epaphra’s love for agriculture propels him to coffee processing

News, UCU Alumni, , ,


Nkundizana Epaphra Muhammed sorts the coffee beans before starting the production. (Courtesy Photo)
Nkundizana Epaphra Muhammed sorts the coffee beans before starting the production. (Courtesy Photo)

By Eriah Lule
Early this year, the Uganda Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) reported that the country’s coffee export revenue has risen to $115 million from the exported 413,221 60-kg (132 lb.) bags of coffee, in December 2024.  Uganda is among the top 10 coffee exporters worldwide, and second in Africa after Ethiopia, according to Ugandan Stewart Ategeka’s study published on Research Gate titled, Trend Analysis of Uganda’s Coffee Sector 2024.

Such data, growing at an exponential rate, triggered Nkundizana Epaphra Muhammed to join the Uganda coffee industry. 

Epaphra records the coffee moisture content using the moisture meter every hour before production. (Courtesy Photo)
Epaphra records the coffee moisture content using the moisture meter every hour before production. (Courtesy Photo)

His journey began with pursuing and, in 2021, receiving, a Bachelors of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship from Uganda Christian University (UCU). 

“The desire to help out coffee communities by adding value addition components to improve their standards of living was my absolute motivation,” Epaphra said. 

The 29-year-old is the quality controller of the robusta plant at UGACOF LTD. This leading coffee processor and exporter in Uganda is a subsidiary of Sucafina in Switzerland and a multinational coffee merchant and a premier supplier of East African coffee with operations in 32 countries, including Uganda.

Epaphra analyses, monitors and oversees all quality aspects in the production line until coffee is loaded in containers for export.

“I carry out cupping, which is the sensory evaluation of coffee to trace the quality and origin of the coffee,” he said. “I also participate in arranging coffee samples for Uganda Coffee Development Authority inspectors for laboratory analysis before they issue us certificates for exporting the coffee.”

Epaphra attends to beans during the production process. (Courtesy Photo)
Epaphra attends to beans during the production process. (Courtesy Photo)

In one of his engagements with the media, David Kasura-Kyomukama, the Permanent Secretary at MAAIF, noted that Uganda continues to expand its footprint in the international coffee market. Authorities focus on improving production standards, enforcing regulations and supporting farmers with better extension services. Kyomukama warned that all actors in the coffee value chain must comply with existing quality control measures to avoid penalties. 

“The public is hereby informed that all the mechanisms, including enforcement, that existed before the rationalization of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) into MAAIF remain in full effect,” he emphasized.

Epaphra credits his education at UCU for changing his perspective from seeing agriculture as a work profession to a life-wealthy project. Course units like Agribusiness were a game changer. Throughout the various outreach and demonstration programs, the Faculty of Agriculture sharpened its students’ workplace skills.

“Community outreach programs and the demonstration gardens that were set up by the faculty enlightened me how agriculture is a gold mine for wealth,” he added.

He believes that adoption of modernized agricultural farming techniques to elevate farmers from subsistence farming and value addition is the only way to generate an appealing income from agriculture yet pushing Uganda’s coffee to compete favorably on the global market. He envisions being a prominent farmer in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Epaphra’s love for coffee is sweeping. In March 2024 and before joining UGACOF, he applied with the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (currently liquidated into MAAIF), pursued a short course in basic coffee quality control that ran for one month, passed and became a certified coffee quality controller by Uganda Coffee Development Authority.

“l was unemployed at the time, l started selling some ground and roasted coffee beans to survive,” he said. “I later wrote to the quality manager asking him to be around UCDA as l do more practice and experience other hands-on activities. It is the exposure and experience gained at UCDA that helped me land a job at UGACOF.”

Born to Ndinda Epaphra and Nyangoma Annet of Kagadi District in the western part of the country, Epaphra is the first born and the only boy of the couple’s six children.

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To support  UCU programs, students, activities and services, go to  www.ugandapartners.org  and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at  m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.

Students in front of Hamu Mukasa Library, built, in part, with USAID monies

UCU’s connection to USAID funding

Faculty, News, Uganda Partners, , , ,


Students in front of Hamu Mukasa Library, built, in part, with USAID monies
Students in front of Hamu Mukasa Library, built, in part, with USAID monies

By the Rev. Dr. Stephen Noll
Modern Uganda was largely related to the United Kingdom in the 20th century – first as a “protectorate” and later as a member of the British Commonwealth. Similarly Anglican missions in Uganda were sponsored by the Church Mission Society in England, which fortunately was led by the philosophy that “the evangelisation of Africa must come from the Africans.” For this reason, African church leaders took over the bulk of educational work, including training clergy at Bishop Tucker Theological College (1913-1996).

When the Anglican Church of Uganda determined to “enhance” Bishop Tucker College to the university level, its leaders turned to America, and I became UCU’s first Vice Chancellor (President). This statement is overly simplistic. My wife, Peggy, and I received an unexpected call from God in 1999. At the time, we frankly could not understand why the Lord would choose two people who had never sought mission work and who had never even been to Africa. 

But He did.

Looking back, I count my experience as an orthodox Anglican and an American citizen as one reason for the University’s remarkable progress during my 10 years. Let me list some ways:

UCU (Mukono campus) residence halls, including Nsibambi Dormitory (right corner) that was constructed, in part, with USAID funding
UCU (Mukono campus) residence halls, including Nsibambi Dormitory (right corner) that was constructed, in part, with USAID funding

Global Anglicans – In the late 1990s, I had become increasingly involved with Anglicans from the Global South, capped off by my presence at the 1998 Lambeth Conference. During my ten years at UCU, I traveled around the world twice and contacted numerous church leaders and mission societies. In return, we hosted visitors and missionaries on campus from many countries, including a cohort of American college students each semester who lived with and studied with their African counterparts.

U.S. Embassy – I was fortunate to have two supportive U.S. Ambassadors during my time. Ambassador Jimmy Kolker (2002-2005) in particular was a model of cooperation, endorsing our application for a University Charter, helping our staff to get travel visas to the USA, and even speaking to the student body immediately after the Afghanistan invasion in 2003. His successor, Steven Browning (2006-2009), supported us in obtaining the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) grants described below. 

  • Books. When I first visited UCU in January 2000, I discovered that it had a good theological library but almost no books in other subjects. By God’s grace, I found out about and applied for a USAID grant to receive (new) textbooks; in July of the same year, a container van with 16,000 books arrived on the campus. We received two subsequent shipments over the next 10 years in the same program.
  • Grants for Capital Projects. I became aware of USAID’s “American Schools and Hospitals Abroad” (ASHA) program in 2001 when President George Bush announced his “Faith-Based and Community Initiative,” which was extended to overseas partnerships. UCU Partners, the non-profit organization I had helped found, provided the home base for a series of four grants under ASHA, totaling $2.1 million toward the building of a residence hall and the beautiful Ham Mukasa Library. The University more than equaled the USA contribution from its own capital funds.
  • Fulbright Scholars. Fulbright Grants are offered to U.S. scholars to have a study period overseas. When I first arrived, Fulbright scholars were restricted to Uganda Government universities, but after UCU was chartered, we began to receive an increasing number of research scholars to the campus. Most notably, the first Fulbright grantee, Dr. Karen Drake from Bethel University in Minnesota, helped found the Nursing Program at UCU, which is recognized as the best in the country. 

The Hamu Mukasa Library and Nsibambi Dormitory were partially paid with USAID money, 

The cooperation UCU received from the United States in the university’s formative years was critical to its growth and reputation. Over the past quarter century, it has graduated more than 30,000 students and has a current enrollment of 14,000 spread over six campuses The University now offers a full menu of degrees, including engineering, law and medicine; and it is considered one of the top universities in East Africa.

Uganda Christian University has always been self-sufficient, reliant on tuition and fees paid by Ugandan students and their families. However, as outlined above, support from the US government has provided strategic investment to UCU, increasing its quality and ability to equip Ugandans to make a difference in their country and communities.

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The Rev. Dr. Stephen Noll, author of this article, was UCU’s first Vice Chancellor (2000-2010) and is a Board Member for UCU Partners, based in Pennsylvania, USA.

Agira Birungi and Namara Kezia.

Law finalists from UCU selected for prestigious U.S. Leadership Program

News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Law, , ,


Agira Birungi and Namara Kezia.
Agira Birungi and Namara Kezia.

By Kefa Senoga
Two law finalists from Uganda Christian University (UCU) have been selected to participate in the highly competitive Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) program. The selection of Agira Birungi, a former Guild President, and Namara Kezia, a former Guild Deputy Attorney, marks a milestone not just for their personal journeys but also for UCU’s growing engagement in global academic exchange.

The five-to-six-week academic program focuses on topics in U.S. studies for groups of foreign undergraduates, scholars and teachers. It is often hosted by universities and colleges throughout the United States. According to the program’s website, the study includes an intensive academic residency, an academic field experience to another region of the United States and opportunities for participants to engage with American peers. Institutes also include community service activities and leadership development. 

Agira Birungi
Agira Birungi

Organized under the theme of Women’s Economic Empowerment, this year’s SUSI program will be hosted by the University of Delaware (Newark, DE) and will include intensive academic seminars, leadership training, cultural immersion and policy engagements, including a visit to the United Nations in New York. The program is slated to begin mid-June and run throughout July 2025.

“What captivated me was the theme,” said Namara. “It focused on women’s economic empowerment, something I’m quite passionate about.”

The opportunity to attend this program emerged during a session organized by UCU’s Directorate of Research, Partnerships, and Innovation (DRPI). The session featured Ezra Nuwenyine, the Education Outreach Coordinator from the U.S. Embassy in Kampala.

“He introduced us to various U.S. programs and encouraged us to stay alert for when the SUSI advert would be announced,” said Agira. “When it came through DRPI, many of us applied. The process was competitive.”

Over 12 UCU students were shortlisted for the interviews. The applicants went through a two-phase selection process of written applications followed by oral interviews before a diverse panel comprising representatives from the U.S. Embassy and UCU. This was in November last year.

“The oral interview was nerve-wracking,” says Namara. “That’s when the reality of the opportunity really hit.”

Namara Kezia
Namara Kezia

Agira says: “I read and prepared for that interview like it was an exam. After our second-last exam on April 14, I checked my email and saw the message ‘Congratulations!’ Namara had been copied in the same message. I was overjoyed and immediately called her to break the news.”

Namara said she was looking forward to having conversations with women from across the world. “This experience will change us,” she said. “I admire the American work ethic, and I’m eager to see what drives them.”

For Agira, her curiosity to experience a different type of climate had made her wish for a trip during winter. “I wanted to experience the snowstorms we see in movies. But even without the snow, this is still a dream.” 

It will be the first time either of them will be traveling beyond Africa, Agira having previously visited Nigeria and for Namara, it was Tanzania. For Namara, the SUSI program is more than just a trip, it’s a stepping stone toward her long-term goals.

Namara says she wants to use her U.S. trip to explore possibilities of pursuing a master’s in the U.S. and build a community-based organization. This is a gateway for networking and personal growth,” she said

Agira adds that they carry more than personal dreams because they also carry the name of UCU. 

“We are ambassadors of the university,” she said. “People will judge UCU by our values, conduct, and contribution. We’re going to showcase what UCU can offer the world.”

Namara echoed the resilience that’s brought her this far, stating: “This isn’t my first application. I have received many rejection emails, but I don’t give up. I keep going.” 

Prof. Elizabeth Balyejusa Kizito, the Director of Research, Partnerships, and Innovation at UCU, expressed pride upon receiving the news. 

“It means a lot for UCU,” she said. “These young women will interact with brilliant minds from across the world. I encourage them to network widely and lobby for graduate opportunities. They are our ambassadors.”

According to the SUSI program brief, the initiative, especially under the Albright Young Women Leaders Program, honors the legacy of Madeleine Albright, the first female U.S. Secretary of State. 

With their eyes set on transformation, both Namara and Agira say they are ready to engage, learn, and return with new ideas and fresh vision not just for their future careers, but for the communities they represent. “We won’t return the same,” said Namara. “This is just the beginning.”

Both Namara and Agira say they are ready to begin preparations for joining the Law Development Centre (LDC) as soon as they return from the U.S as it marks the next step in their journey to becoming fully qualified advocates.

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To support Uganda Christian University programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org. 

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook

A screengrab of David Ijjo reporting for his employer, NTV

UCU alumnus Ijjo living his journalism dream

Journalism, News, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication, , , ,


A screengrab of David Ijjo reporting for his employer, NTV
A screengrab of David Ijjo reporting for his employer, NTV

By Irene Best Nyapendi
As a young boy in Entebbe, Uganda, David Ijjo’s eyes would be glued to the television screen, captivated by the faces and voices that filled the frame. He did not just watch TV. He imitated the voices he heard, often recreating news broadcasts in his living room. 

“I was so intrigued seeing someone in a TV frame,” Ijo recalls. “I wondered how that was possible; immediately, I decided that was the career path I wanted to take.” 

His parents recognized his passion and guided him toward journalism. They explained to him that the magic of television was crafted by media practitioners. That revelation set the course for a remarkable journey, one that has seen Ijjo rise from a curious child to a fearless journalist.

Ijjo says he remains committed to holding power to account.
Ijjo says he remains committed to holding power to account.

Growing up, Ijjo thought journalism was all about TV glamour. But as he matured, he discovered that it was far more than bright lights and cameras; it was a calling to inform the masses, challenge the people in power and uplift communities. That realization deepened when he enrolled at Uganda Christian University (UCU) in 2019 to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Media, and Communication.

UCU was no random choice. 

“Many consultations I made pointed to UCU as the best in teaching journalism,” Ijo says. “Most of the media players I admired were UCU alumni, which cemented my decision.” 

At UCU, he found a practical, hands-on learning environment that prepared him for the world of work. With access to a studio, television, newspaper, and equipment, Ijjo worked on his craft under the guidance of dedicated lecturers. By the time he graduated in 2022, he was ready to make his mark.

Ijjo’s big break came through the Media Challenge Initiative, an annual inter-university challenge for journalism students as contestants and editors/managers as judges. That challenge opened the door to an internship at NBS-TV, one of the television stations in Uganda. 

As an intern, he dived headfirst into the deep end, reporting on everything, from politics and social justice to crime and religion. His versatility and work ethic didn’t go unnoticed. After his internship, NBS retained him as a sub-editor for their online newspaper, Nile Post. For Ijjo, this was a milestone. 

“Working at NBS was enough for me to say I was living my dream,” he says.

But Ijjo’s ambition did not stop there. In August 2024, he joined NTV, another Ugandan broadcaster, as a political reporter. Before that, he sharpened his investigative skills through a journalism fellowship at the African Institute for Investigative Journalism (AAIJ). It was during this time that Ijjo tackled one of his most impactful stories: an investigation into the controversial Akon City project.

In 2020, Senegalese-American musician Akon announced plans to build a futuristic city in Mukono, Uganda, after the government allocated land for the project. Two years later, with little progress to show, Ijjo and his editor at NTV decided to dig deeper. Traveling to Mukono, he uncovered that residents faced threats of eviction, and those compensated received as little as sh500,000 (about $130 USD). 

The investigation exposed impunity and gave a voice to the people of Mukono. For Ijjo, the impact was its own reward. 

“When stories like that cause panic, it means they have had impact, and that the powerful are held to account,” the 25-year-old says. “That’s my reward as a journalist.” 

The experience strengthened his belief that journalism is about serving the public, not personal gain. 

His work isn’t without challenges, though. On March 13, 2025, while covering a by-election for a parliamentary seat in Kampala, he and other journalists were brutally attacked by security agencies. Narrowly escaping arrest, Ijjo fled the scene after receiving beatings. 

He urges aspiring journalists not to wait until graduation to start practicing the trade, but rather to utilize the equipment they have, and use social media to practice because employers want people with experience.

In a country where political interests often overshadow the rights of ordinary citizens, he remains committed to holding power to account.  He explains that politics is a game of interests, and that a majority of Ugandans are affected by the decisions made by the few politicians. 

“As citizens, we have the right to good governance, democracy, and freedom of speech,” Ijjo said. “My job is to ensure those rights are upheld.”

Ijjo had his primary education at Entebbe Christian School and later joined Apostles of Jesus Seminary in Moroto district for his secondary education.

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To support UCU programs, students, activities and services, go to  www.ugandapartners.org  and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at  m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.

Trevor Wabwire, a Uganda Christian University (UCU) journalism graduate

Wabwire’s sweet transition from journalism to pastries

Journalism, News, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Business, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication, , ,


Trevor Wabwire, a Uganda Christian University (UCU) journalism graduate
Trevor Wabwire, a Uganda Christian University (UCU) journalism graduate

By Irene Best Nyapendi
When Trevor Wabwire qualified to join a university, his parents gave him two options: Either pursue a course in law or journalism. He chose the latter.

He said he feared to pursue a Bachelor of Laws because he had the impression that it was a tough course. But deep inside Wabwire, he preferred neither of the two courses. His heart was set on business. But his father said “no,” and Wabwire obliged.

At Uganda Christian University (UCU), Wabwire pursued a Bachelor of Journalism, Media and Communication. The pressure to please his parents was heavy, but Wabwire’s brilliance was not shaken. He sailed through his classes with ease, until he hit a wall during a field internship. Once in the world of work, he saw journalism’s rough side: long hours, low pay and grumpy mentors who made the job sound like a dead end. His passion for it faded fast, and his grades started to slip. Still, he pushed through, and graduated in 2021.

With his degree in hand, Wabwire did not look back. He ditched newsrooms for his real love – business. 

Wabwire’s sweet spot, Uncle Trev’s Eateries, in Busia, eastern Uganda
Wabwire’s sweet spot, Uncle Trev’s Eateries, in Busia, eastern Uganda

Wabwire’s passion for business emerged early. Growing up in Busia, a town on Uganda’s border with its eastern neighbor, Kenya, Wabwire noticed a gap in the market for paraffin. In Africa, paraffin, often referred to as kerosene, is primarily used as a source of fuel for cooking, heating and lighting – especially among the poor. As a teenager, he started buying it cheaply in Kenya and selling it in Uganda. Easy money, right? Not to his parents. They thought that act was embarrassing to the family and even punished him for it. But Wabwire wasn’t the type to quit. Their disapproval only firmed his belief in entrepreneurship.

When he got to UCU, he turned his hustle a notch higher. He sold sweets to classmates and owned a chapati stall that he gave someone to run for him in Busia. This taught him important lessons about trade, customer service and hard work, which laid a solid foundation for his after-school business – confectionery. 

His “Uncle Trev’s Eateries” is known for snacks like samosas, pies, juices and pastries like cakes and fresh bread.

Among the many products he offers, Wabwire particularly enjoys making passion fruit juice mixed with carrots and ginger. When asked why he chose the food business, he replied; “Food is a basic need of life. People eat every day, which is why I chose this path.”

At 30, Wabwire is not just running a business, he is building a name. He called his place Uncle Trev’s Eateries because he wants it to last – something his children and their children will know. 

Since opening it in 2023, his bakery has quickly become the supplier of bread to local schools in the eastern Uganda district of Busia. His consistency and commitment to quality and community service sets him apart, he says.

One could easily say that business runs in Wabwire’s DNA. His grandmother had a successful chapati business, and his mother, too, operated a dry-cleaning business.

One of his proudest moments in pursuing his passion for business was securing a contract with Hot Loaf, a bakery and confectionary company in Uganda. This achievement cemented his belief in his purpose and dedication to his craft. Hot Loaf has been a trusted brand since 1986, widely preferred for bread, and pastries. 

Through this partnership, Wabwire benefits from franchising, which allows Uncle Trev’s Eateries to operate under Hot Loaf’s brand name, business model and product offerings. This arrangement enables him to leverage Hot Loaf’s established reputation, marketing resources, and operational support, enhancing his business’s success.

Wabwire started off with Sh10,000,000 ($2,726), putting together his savings and some help from friends and family. At first, his mother was not excited about his switch from journalism to business. But when she noticed his passion, she has now become his biggest cheerleader. 

“I proved to her that business is my thing,” he said.

Wabwire has his eyes on the future. He is opening a restaurant at UCU’s Highfield hostel in May, and plans more of such.

Looking back on his time at UCU, he is grateful for the well-rounded education he received. Prior to joining UCU in 2017, he attended Busoga College Mwiri for O’level and St. Peter’s Naalya for his A’level.

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To support UCU programs, students, activities and services, go to  www.ugandapartners.org  and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at  m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

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Maureen Mutoni with some of the children aided by her program.

UCU alum mission to transform rural Rwanda

News, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Business, , , , ,


Maureen Mutoni’s mission is to promote education and social development in Rwanda.
Maureen Mutoni’s mission is to promote education and social development in Rwanda.

By Pauline Luba
She is just 27, but Uganda Christian University (UCU) graduate, Maureen Mutoni, already has a mission to be one of Rwanda’s most passionate changemakers. 

As a 2024 Mandela Washington Fellow, Mutoni recently completed a business and entrepreneurship leadership program at Drake University in the United States. From this course, she says, she learned “how to build systems that work,” and it is this spirit that she has taken back to her roots in Rwanda.

In Rwanda, just like it is with many developing countries, she says education is often more of a privilege than a right. Born to a Rwandan family that spent decades in Uganda as refugees, Mutoni’s father, a farmer with four wives and 18 children, and her mother, a housewife, did not fully have the benefit of having a formal education. 

But Mutoni was determined to chart a different course. 

“Moving when I was younger was very significant in my life,” she reflected. “It contributed so much to the person I am today.” 

Her educational journey took her from Kagarama Secondary School to Cornerstone Leadership Academy Rwanda, and eventually to UCU, where she pursued a Bachelor’s of Economics and Management. 

“I loved the community at UCU,” said the soft-spoken Mutoni. “It was serious, disciplined and had a tight-knit Rwandan community.” 

Behind her gentle demeanor is a relentless spirit, one that refuses to be confined by circumstance or complacency. Her passion for education and youth empowerment took root during her time working with schools in remote Ugandan communities. 

Maureen Mutoni with some of the children aided by her program.
Maureen Mutoni with some of the children aided by her program.

These experiences laid the foundation for what would become the Inspire Change Foundation, which Mutoni officially launched in late 2022, to provide inclusive and equitable opportunities for education, empower the youth and support the women to promote financial inclusion.

By 2023, the foundation had begun full operations, focusing on improving education access for children in rural Rwanda. Today, the organization supports 133 learners, providing essentials like books, uniforms and school supplies. It also works with parents to form savings groups that ensure continued education into secondary school.

But the road hasn’t been easy. One of the biggest challenges she faced was the mindset of parents. 

“They didn’t value their children’s education,” she said. “Some would say, ‘I can’t afford this,’ even when it was about a simple pen.” 

Mutoni persisted — often funding the initiative herself in the early days. Over time, partnerships with local governments, schools and Non-Governmental Organizations like Kidzone helped the foundation gain traction.

According to her organization’s website, she also took the initiative to reach out to the parents and guardians of these learners. She believed that finding sustainable ways to support them was the key to unlocking true potential.

Technology, Mutoni believes, will play a critical role in shaping the future of education in Rwanda. Her foundation is now working to introduce digital learning tools, creating school libraries, and launching nationwide competitions that celebrate creativity and literacy. Some of children there have never even seen an iPad or a toy, according to Mutoni.

Balancing her full-time job and her work at Inspire Change is no easy feat, but Mutoni says it’s all about time management and the passion she has for what she does. She is currently the program’s head at Afri-Farmers Markets. 

For aspiring young social entrepreneurs in Rwanda, Mutoni, who believes her ultimate goal is to touch people’s lives, offers a simple, but powerful advice: “Just do it. Share your ideas and act on them. Have a vision for where you want to be.”

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To support Uganda Christian University programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org. 

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook

Dr. Nsubuga Mushin and Dr. Jean Chamberlain-Froese share a photo moment with a new mother at Amai General Hospital, located in Amolatar, the Lango sub-region in Uganda.

Save the Mothers marks 20 years of saving lives in Uganda

Faculty of Public Health, Nursing and Midwifery, News, UCU Alumni, , , , ,


Dr. Nsubuga Mushin and Dr. Jean Chamberlain-Froese share a photo moment with a new mother at Amai General Hospital, located in Amolatar, the Lango sub-region in Uganda.
Dr. Nsubuga Mushin and Dr. Jean Chamberlain-Froese share a photo moment with a new mother at Amai General Hospital, located in Amolatar, the Lango sub-region in Uganda.

Story By Jimmy Siyasa, Photos by Andrew Bugembe
In the heart of Northern and Eastern Uganda, Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) Save the Mothers East Africa (STMEA) program is delivering profound change. 

As part of its 20th anniversary celebrations in April 2025, STMEA launched transformative healthcare initiatives, including a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Amai Community Hospital in Amolatar District and a Labour Ward High Dependency Unit (HDU) at Tororo General Hospital. 

These milestones are possible through the generosity of various donors, notably Diane Reader Jones, who designated some initiatives in honor of her mother, the late Leila Reader. 

Diane Reader Jones (with white cap) observes a baby inside an incubator.
Diane Reader Jones (with white cap) observes a baby inside an incubator.

The NICU at Amai Community Hospital, launched on April 15, 2025, is a ray of hope for Amolatar, Kaberamaido and Dokolo Districts, which are on the peninsula of Lake Kyoga. Serving a District where some mothers reportedly walk over four miles for antenatal care, maternity cases are frequently referred to this poorly equipped hospital. Now, with the HDUs, their capacity has been boosted to care for up to 10 preterm babies per day and those with complications. 

Dr. Mushin Nsubuga, STMEA Executive Director, emphasized the units’ significance, noting that upon setting them up, STMEA supports these health facilities through “in-service staff training of health workers on matters of safety, professional management of mothers in delivery units.” He urged health workers to maintain the equipment and called on the clergy under the Church of Uganda within the Lango sub-region, headed by Rt. Rev. Prof. Alfred Olwa, to advocate for facility-based deliveries. Olwa is the Bishop of Lango Diocese and chair of the UCU governing council.. 

Reflecting on his own beginning, Bishop Olwa testified about the “privilege” he had, being born in a hospital. Many of his contemporaries for reasons such as poverty and lack of access to medical care were born at home or in dire circumstances; and some tragically passed away. 

“The people of Amai are so blessed to have that hospital because then lives are saved,” said Olwa. “The new expanded antenatal facility means our children are going to be born in a wonderful environment, with professional support. There is no reason why people should die from childbirth because now the facilities, professionals and knowledge is accessible.”

A memorial plaque on a wall at Amai Hospital
A memorial plaque on a wall at Amai Hospital

STMEA is committed to comprehensive training for NICU staff, ensuring long-term impact. According to Dr Mushin, STMEA has so far set up seven HDUS at various Uganda health facilities, three NICUs and up to 15 “mother-baby-friendly” facilities. With more support, they hope to establish more because the need remains dire.

On April 16, 2025, STMEA, alongside Tororo District Officials, celebrated the launch of the Labour Ward HDU at Tororo General Hospital. This unit is already reducing maternal and child mortality in the region. Patricia Cheptoek, Midwife and In-Charge Maternity, shared her optimism.

“Having this unit in place is making our work of service delivery easier,” she said. “We pledge our best in ensuring it is put into proper use.”

Tororo’s District Health Officer, Dr. Stella Owere, a UCU alumna, joined officials in expressing gratitude for STMEA’s support. They pledged to maintain and enhance the HDU, ensuring its sustainability. 

Face lit with joy and pride, Dr. Jean Chamberlain-Froese, Canadian founder of the STMEA, is thrilled by STMEA’s progress over the last 20 years, ensuring “No baby or mother dies” as their mantra says. 

“It has been so exciting how the mother-baby-friendly hospitals through the Save the Mothers program have been established,” said Dr. Chamberlain-Froese.  “We saw a mother receive a blood transfusion and another with high blood pressure being cared for and their lives saved.”

STMEA’s work extends beyond establishing infrastructure. During the launches, Dr. Chamberlain-Froese and Dianne Jones, a Canadian donor, brought joy to mothers in both hospitals by distributing gift packs for new-borns.

For 20 years, STMEA has championed maternal and child health, driven by its founders, alumni and donors. Through the UCU Faculty of Public Health, Nursing and Midwifery, Master of Public Health Leadership program, alone, they have trained over 500 leaders spread across the world to advance maternal and other public health causes. The NICU and HDU are but only a few of the many interventions being rolled out in service of thousands in hard-to-reach Uganda communities, equipping health facilities to serve thousands. 

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To support Uganda Christian University programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners

Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org. 

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Vilma Achieng taking a shot at the court. (Courtesy Photo)

‘Basketball can open doors, but education unlocks them’

News, Sports, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Education, , , , , ,


Vilma Achieng taking a shot at the court. (Courtesy Photo)
Vilma Achieng taking a shot at the court. (Courtesy Photo)

By Eriah Lule
When you search Google for Vilma Achieng, you will see images of a 6’2” melanin damsel dribbling a ball on a court. You might compare her to LeBron James or Stephen Curry, but also to a potential female Michael Jordan on the African Continent. 

The former captain of the Uganda Christian University (UCU) women’s basketball team, the Lady Canons, has an accomplished athlete reputation. With four seasons of play, three Ugandan national titles, participation in the World Cup 3*3 in Xiamen, China, and the East African University Games in 2015 and 2017, Achieng was the most valuable player in the National Basketball League (NBL), the nation’s top league, for three (2015, 2016, 2017) straight seasons. She has been a star at the Kenyan National team since 2013.

With her transfers to play for the National Youth Talent Academy (NYTA) Shimbahills in Kenya, Eagle Wings in Kenya and Mont Fleuri in the Republic of Seychelles, as well as her current position as captain of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) women’s team, the Kenyan national over time has established herself as one of the NBL and the Kenyan Basketball National League’s (KBF) most courageous and dominant centers.

Vilma during one of her Camp sessions with children at the KPA facility in Mombasa Kenya. (Courtesy Photo)
Vilma during one of her Camp sessions with children at the KPA facility in Mombasa Kenya. (Courtesy Photo)

Considered an African female celebrity, the 31-year-old has signed professional contracts and captained nearly every team she has played for – something she never would have imagined 20 years ago. 

She started playing basketball in 2006 when she enrolled at Raliew Girls Secondary School, one of the old basketball powerhouses in Nyanza, a Kenyan province near Lake Victoria. 

Despite her erratic performance in the nationals, Achieng remained passionate about basketball, and in 2010, she received a sports scholarship to attend Asumbi Training Teachers College following her high school graduation.

Before being given the 2011 opportunity to play in the local premier league by Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) winners Eagle Wings, she was recruited by Shimba Hills Academy.

Vilma stayed for only a year with Eagle Wings before joining UCU through a sports scholarship. At UCU, she played for UCU Lady Canons in the Uganda National Basketball League.

Vilma’s commitment to her academic journey is evident in her decision to enroll in a three-year Bachelor of Arts with Education program in 2015. Through this program, Vilma honed her skills and knowledge in education, preparing herself for a successful career in teaching and mentoring students.

“My experience at UCU has shaped me into a well-rounded individual, equipped with the skills and the mindset necessary for success in both my professional and personal life,” she said. “UCU’s faith-based values and commitment to holistic education developed my passion for teaching, community development and servant leadership.”

Throughout her time at UCU, Vilma faced various obstacles, including injuries and the pressures of maintaining a high academic standing. Yet, her resilience shone through. She often shared her experiences with younger players, mentoring them on and off the court. 

“It’s important to uplift others,” she said. “Basketball can open doors, but education is the key that unlocks them.”

Vilma graduated in 2018, earning her degree with honors. Armed with her education and basketball experience, she joined the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Women’s basketball team and, later, moved into management as a sports supervisor of the club’s facility called KPA-Welfare Centre – Makupa in Mombasa, Kenya.

Her responsibilities include overseeing sports programs, coordinating tournaments, training youth and ensuring facility safety. She credits UCU’s emphasis on ethics and pedagogy for preparing her to mentor athletes holistically. Despite her managerial duties, Vilma still makes it to KPA’s first team at the court.

“As the captain and supervisor, I coordinated with the head coach to launch and run a free kids camp during holidays, to ensure the youths are fully engaged, and the teaching of life skills to ensure a holistic individual,” she noted.

Born to Joseph Owino and Rose Akinyi of Asembo-Rarieda, Siaya County, in the South Western part of Kenya, Vilma is the couple’s only child whose dream is to establish a sports infrastructure in their home village and pursue a master’s degree in Sports Management.

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Uganda Christian University has many alumni stories like this one.  To support  programs, students, activities, and services, go to  www.ugandapartners.org  and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at  m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

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Rev. Dr. Henry Majwala preaching during a service at UCU

UCU Assistant Chaplain Majwala: A life of never giving up

Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology, News, Students, UCU Alumni, , , ,


Rev. Dr. Henry Majwala preaching during a service at UCU
Rev. Dr. Henry Majwala preaching during a service at UCU

By Kefa Senoga
The word “Kivebulaya” means “from Europe.” The Rev. Dr. Henry Majwala got that nickname from a grandmother who prophesied that her grandson would one day travel to the Western world to gain more knowledge. That prophesy, Majwala narrated, left him unsettled until he eventually travelled to the West, to fulfill his grandmother’s wish.

“I promised her that one day I would study abroad and return as a learned person,” Majwala, the Assistant Chaplain at Uganda Christian University (UCU), said during a recent interview he granted Partners. 

Indeed, for his second master’s degree, Majwala pursued the Master of Divinity at the Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Mich. Majwala’s PhD, which was in the discipline of theology, though not from a university in the West, but still away from Uganda in South Africa. Majwala got his PhD honors in December last year.

Majwala, who recently acquired a PhD in education from the Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, says he has been a student pursuing different courses from diploma level, progressing through different postgraduate courses leading to his doctorate.

It was Majwala’s paternal grandmother who took up the mantle of raising him, but that was not for long. By Primary Five, she was not in a position to continue educating her grandson as she had run out of resources. For the next two years, Majwala was at home. 

Naiga Alexander, who was a teacher and the wife of his father’s uncle, eventually came to Majwala’s rescue, supporting him to return to school again.

“When she heard that I was not studying, she came home and took me to another school, St Joseph’s Kinoni Primary School in central Uganda,” Majwala said. “She requested the headteacher to allow me to study without paying.”

From Kinoni, Naiga enrolled Majwala into Seeke Islamic Secondary School, which took him in as a school dependant.

“I was supposed to work as a manual laborer for the school in exchange for fees, so I engaged in making bricks, slashing the compound and fetching water for the teachers,” he recounts.“Back home, I would sell firewood, brooms, and bananas to acquire other basic needs and upkeep.”. 

In 1995, shortly after completing Senior Three, Majwala’s grandmother died. It meant that he was unable to remain at home on his own.

It’s then that he moved to Mukono to look for his maternal uncle, Jackson Matovu, the retired bishop of central Buganda Diocese. Matovu offered to support his nephew, enabling him to enroll at Bishop Senior School in Mukono, where he completed both his O’level and A’level.

Having given his life to Christ earlier in 1996, Majwala recommitted himself to Christ again in 1999. A year later, he joined a group of young people from Mukono diocese who went to train as clergy following a call from the diocese. They pursued a diploma in theology at Uganda Martyrs Seminary Namugongo. In 2003, he was ordained a deacon and assigned to serve in a parish within Mukono Diocese.

While ministering in a parish, Majwala met the Bishop of Mukono at the time, Eria Paul Luzinda, who encouraged and supported him to join UCU and pursue a Bachelor of Theology. From UCU, he joined Ndejje University in 2007 to pursue a postgraduate diploma in education. From Ndejje, he did not take any break. In 2009, he was back to UCU, to pursue a master’s in Human Resource Management in Education. Upon graduation, Majwala was appointed the diocesan secretary of Mukono Cathedral. In 2017, Majwala joined St. Francis Chapel, Makerere University, as part of the clergy. 

In addition to church administration, Majwala has also been actively involved in teaching for nearly two decades. His teaching journey began in 2006 at his alma mater, Uganda Martyrs Namugongo Seminary and continued at Ndejje University in 2016, where he lectured on Christian ethics and human resource. Currently, he teaches theology and foundational courses at UCU.

Majwala is married to Irene Nakamatte, a professional nurse. 

“When Irene and I met, I had a diploma, and she had a certificate from Mengo School of Nursing,” Majwala said. “Now, she has a master’s degree, and I have a PhD.” 

The couple has three children with the oldest in Senior Six, the middle child in Primary Seven and their youngest child in kindergarten.

Majwala says he hopes to undertake a postdoctoral program and continue inspiring others through his story of resilience, faith, and determination. 

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To support Uganda Christian University programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners

Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org. Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook

UCU student at stalls during 2025 exhibition

Artificial Intelligence focus of annual Uganda university showcase

Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Design & Technology, Science and Technology, Students, UCU School of Business, UCU School of Education, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication, UCU School of Law, , , , , ,


UCU student at stalls during 2025 exhibition UCU student at stalls during 2025 exhibition

By Christine Mirembe
At 10 a.m. on a Wednesday, a bus parked by the gym on the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono campus was filled with students and their bags, art pieces, computers, robots and more. It was March 26 as they headed for participation in the 15th National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) exhibition, held this year on Kamukuzi grounds in Mbarara. 

Neither too sunny or rainy, the climate provided a soothing atmosphere for the exchange of innovation and vision with the theme of “Strategies, Challenges and Best Practices for Artificial Intelligence Integration in Higher Education in Uganda.” UCU was one of the 37 universities sharing from March 27 to 29 for an audience that included potential students and their parents.

UCU, a first-place winner for five previous years, took second place this year to Mountains of the Moon University in Fort Portal, Uganda. 

UCU was represented by 50 students from various schools and faculties, including the School of Law; School of Business; School of Social Sciences; School of Education; School of Journalism, Media and Communication; Faculty of Agricultural Sciences; and the Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology. UCU student exhibitors were led by staff members, including the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) for Academic Affairs, Rev. Assoc. Prof. John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa; the DVC for Finance and Administration, David Mugawe; and the Dean for the School of Business, Vincent Kisenyi.  

The following is a summary of some of what UCU shared:

School of Journalism, Media and Communication
Meant to display how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is integrated in their various disciplines, AI tools in the media like Perplexity and Otter AI in print were the focus. Perplexity provides instant summaries of an article or webpage, sharing the information most relevant to a search, whereas Otter transcribes audio to text. Intrigued parents and students continuously approached the journalism tent to see what was happening with the screens, mixers, microphones and cameras. 

Timothy Okurut, one exhibitor, said attendees were especially interested in his demonstration of vlogs, a video documenting thoughts, opinions or experiences. 

“We had an overload of students at some point,” he said. “Space between the stalls would crowd up, and I would not have room to do the recordings at one point.”

Tirzah Atwiine, right, explains some of what she has learned as a student within UCU’s Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology
Tirzah Atwiine, right, explains some of what she has learned as a student within UCU’s Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology

Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology
From sleepless nights of planning to 3D design printing, Tirzah Atwiine from the Department of Computing and Technology displayed an English AI-powered, voice-activated humanoid robot that responds to questions. She built it using a learning language model called Lama, and used an open AI Application Programming Interface (API) key to get data to train it. This humanoid responds to many questions, including those about geography, mathematics and  literature.  Her inspiration came from wanting a late-night study buddy who would interact when the human prepared for an exam or a test.

“Most people were excited because it’s a fully functioning robot that can move and do different things,” Tirzah said. “The parents and lecturers were interested in it and said it was very nice and innovative.”

She said she hopes to partner with Makerere University that is working on a Luganda data set, enabling the robot to speak in that tribal language. 

School of Business
The display connected to local business relationship building, demonstrating how students can help businesses with accumulating and using their data.

Elvis Segawa was among students who showcased how these amounts of data can be integrated into Marketwise, an AI tool allowing analysis, sorting and summarizing data. The display was in collaboration with computer science students.

Faculty of Agricultural Science
“Working water” is a method of cultivating plants without soil. The agriculture students displayed a hydroponic system that they integrated with an alarm sensor that uses AI to detect change in the water levels, thereby alerting the farmer to add more water.

Uganda’s agricultural sector is challenged by limited access to extension services, meaning farmers lack crucial information and support, which hinders productivity, leading to low yields and impacting food security. To tackle this, this faculty came up with a UCU Farm Chart.

“This UCU Farm Chart is where we put all the information from our sources,” said Joy Kirabo, an agricultural science student.  “They (farmers) are able to access all the materials using this chart and if they have any questions, they are able to ask and get answers  immediately.” 

Kirabo added that people were amused, especially by how the hydroponics system worked. They gazed at how the water levels rose and dropped and also came running whenever the alarms went on to see how more water was added. Students are optimistic that this project can go beyond school and be adapted by farmers around the country.

School of Law
Edonu Emmanuel, Turiho Danita and Eugene Kironde represented law. The trio presented an AI-powered chatbot that incorporated a number of cases and legal material from Uganda. Particularly, they were trying to solve the problem of the lack of AI chatbots that had been trained on Ugandan jurisdiction material. 

“Through this, we were able to collect datasets that were particularly designed to record legal material,” Eugene elaborated. The end goal was to help  law students to read case material in a short period of time.

Their biggest challenge, however, is that Uganda does not have a number of data sets and data material for legal cases. There are only a few repositories like the Uganda Legal Information Institute (ULII), a website with quite a number of cases that law students usually access in research. 

“The issue was for us finding one repository that had a number of data points,” Eugene said. 

School of Education
This team showcased a health link app created by an AI tool called Jotform. The purpose of this app was to enable UCU students to access health services online rather than trekking to the Allan Galpin Health Center for any health concern. Here, the doctors are to be accessed online. By the time of the exhibition, this app was still at basic level as it had not yet been linked to Allan Galpin. For future prospects, they intend on following up and linking the app so as to serve its intended purpose.

The awards were presented in three categories: 1) tertiary institutions; 2) provisional licensed universities and other degree award-winning institutions; and 3) public and chartered universities, where UCU was categorised.

 “I think it was a very successful event,” said Dean Kisenyi. He also mentioned that while UCU ranked second, it was the top among private institutions. 

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To support  UCU programs, students, activities and services, go to  www.ugandapartners.org  and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at  m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

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Mwanje Tom More is an academic with UCU’s Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology

Mwanje: Doctor in dream, engineer in practice

Faculty, Faculty of Engineering, Design & Technology, News, Science and Technology, , ,


Mwanje Tom More is an academic with UCU’s Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology
Mwanje Tom More is an academic with UCU’s Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology

By Kefa Senoga
During his entire childhood, Tom More Mwanje saw himself as a doctor. However, that desire remained a pipe dream. At A’level, Mwanje’s Chemistry marks for the final national examinations did not meet the requirements for him to join the medical school in Uganda. 

A friend who discovered how distraught Mwanje was convinced him to pursue another science course – engineering. He reluctantly obliged.  What seemed like a dead end soon turned into an opportunity that would define his career trajectory. 

“I never imagined I would end up in engineering,” says Mwanje, currently a staff member in the Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology at Uganda Christian University (UCU).

However, he recalls that by the time his friend advised him to pursue engineering, university admissions for undergraduate courses had already closed. As a result, he enrolled for a diploma course in a technical school – Uganda Technical College Bushenyi in western Uganda. From Bushenyi, Mwanje proceeded to Uganda Technical College Kichwamba, also in western Uganda, where he attained a higher diploma in civil engineering.

Mwanje’s early career saw him work as a technician on major infrastructure projects, including the construction of the 21-mile (34km)-Gayaza-Zirobwe road in central Uganda and also during the construction of the 83MW Agago Hydropower Plant in Zombo, northern Uganda. 

In order to become a fully-fledged engineer, Mwanje enrolled for a Bachelor of Civil Engineering at Kyambogo University, graduating in 2015. Soon after his graduation, the Enargo construction firm tasked him with the role of engineer in the construction of the Mpigi-Kibibi-Gomba road in central Uganda.

Recognizing the need for broader knowledge in project management, Mwanje again returned to school, this time to pursue Postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management at Uganda Management Institute (UMI) in Kampala. 

With his expertise, Mwanje says he was able to move beyond Uganda’s borders to Tanzania, where he worked on the construction of Terminal Three at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Airport under BAM International. During his four-year tenure in Tanzania, he says he also used it as a chance to pursue a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering at the University of Dar es Salaam. He completed the course in 2022.

Upon returning to Uganda, Mwanje established Postract Structural Engineering Consults, a firm specializing in structural engineering solutions. All the professional work he did was alongside a teaching job. He has taught at institutions such as Buganda Royal Institute, Kampala Polytechnic Mengo, and the International University of East Africa, where he was an academic before he joined UCU.

In November 2024, two months into his service at UCU, Mwanje was appointed Head of the Department of Civil Engineering and Environment in the Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology.

Mwanje says he’s committed to enhancing the civil engineering curriculum at UCU. Noting that much of the focus has been on environmental studies, he aims to strengthen practical training in civil and building construction. 

“This university has given me a platform to exercise my management skills. I want to improve our civil engineering area, ensuring that our students are not just theoretically equipped, but also practically competent.”

His vision also includes integrating hands-on training in computer-aided design programs, introducing short courses in painting, welding, and structural design, and also promoting inclusivity in engineering education.

“I want to champion girl-child education in engineering,” Mwanje notes. “Currently, the majority of our students are male. I will start by inviting prominent female engineers to speak to students, boost their confidence, and encourage more women to take up the course.”

According to Mwanje, his passion for education is deeply rooted in his own journey. He was born to Wasswa Francis Kabugu, a former primary school teacher, and Namujju Teddy Nansumba in Nsumba village, Mpigi district in central Uganda. Mwanje says he began his academic path at St. Anthony Nsumba Primary School. He later attended St. Mary’s Senior Secondary School in Mpigi district before advancing to Highway College Makerere for his A’level studies.

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To support Uganda Christian University programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

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Owakubariho Oscar Boban

Owakubariho: How I overcame alcohol addiction

Faculty, News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Law, , , ,


Owakubariho Oscar Boban
Owakubariho Oscar Boban

By Kefa Senoga
The Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono Campus biweekly community worship on Thursday, July 18, 2024, started as usual in Nkoyoyo Hall. But it wasn’t. Oscar Boban Owakubariho, a staff member, gave a unique testimony.

Owakubariho’s words were woven into a powerful story of struggle with addiction and  overcoming it. 

“At the time I joined UCU as a student, if someone greeted me with the words ‘Praise the Lord,’ I didn’t know what to respond,” Owakubariho, a lecturer at the School of Law, started his confession. 

“You students at UCU should not take this institution for granted because the values it teaches you will help you forever,” he added.

At just 15 years of age, Owakubariho said that he had already developed a drinking habit. “Beer was rare back then, so we drank locally brewed alcohol.” 

Born on October 14, 1979, Owakubariho’s academic journey took him from Kitante Primary School to St. Henry’s College Kitovu for his O’level, then to Kyambogo College School for his A’level, and finally to UCU, where he pursued a Bachelor of Laws (LLB). All the schools are in central Uganda.

He said the love for the bottle followed him even into adulthood, influencing his choices and ushering him into a world of struggles.

Owakubariho’s father already knew the challenge his son was facing. To further ensure his son continues with spiritual rehabilitation, he made a decision that he would only pay fees if Owakubariho pursued his undergraduate studies at UCU. 

“He also gave me two options for courses – either law or education. I chose law.” 

But even while at UCU, according to Owakubariho, he spent a significant amount of time in the nearby trading centers drinking. Such drinking sprees often made him get cross with the law enforcers for the chaos his drunkenness caused in the community. It was not unusual to find him in the Police cells because of drinking.  

“We had a disco hall in Mukono called Kisumali, and we were ever there,” he said, reflecting on his student days. 

The addiction did not only end at UCU. Even when he graduated from UCU in 2004, and proceeded to the Law Development Center to pursue his Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice, he continued with the practice. Every law graduate in Uganda is mandated to acquire this diploma to be able to practice law in the country.

It wasn’t until 2015, when his body began to fail him that he realized the gravity of his situation. His liver and lungs were severely affected, and he found himself in and out of hospitals, including Uganda’s National Mental Referral Hospital, Butabika. 

“I was close to dying,” he admitted. “I later reflected on the advice people had been giving me, and in that moment of desperation, I prayed to God to heal me.” 

In 2018, at 39 years of age, he finally broke free from the chains of addiction.

 “God gave me a second chance, and I knew I had to change my livelihood,” he said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year, alcohol abuse kills 2.5 million people worldwide. WHO ranks Uganda the second leading consumer of alcohol in Africa and the 28th in the world.  

Owakubariho said from his experience, he noticed that most of the people are struggling either with alcohol or drug abuse, but that they are afraid to let people know about it. 

“They deceive themselves that a solution will come tomorrow, and tomorrow becomes the next week,” he said. 

Owakubariho understood this cycle all too well. He says from around 2011, he was tired of abusing alcohol.

“I had gotten the signals and wanted to stop,” he recalled. “I kept saying, ‘Maybe I will stop on Saturday,’ but I kept postponing.”

Owakubariho highlighted the need to change one’s social circles in order to overcome alcoholism. He was advised to leave the drinking groups, to stop looking at alcohol-related pictures, and to “start engaging with people who feared God.” That advice significantly changed his life, and that’s how he got to understand that “there is another world beyond alcohol.”

Despite having a law degree and a diploma in legal practice, Owakubariho says that he found himself in bars with people who had never had any formal education. 

“I used to drink in a bar owned by a man who had only studied up to Primary Two,” he said. “I would borrow money from relatives just to drink. If my money ran out, I would leave my ID or phone behind as collateral.”

Today, Owakubariho stands as a transformed man, dedicated to guiding young minds at UCU, the very institution that once witnessed his battle with addiction. He says his testimony serves as a reminder that no one is beyond redemption and that faith, coupled with the right choices, can lead to a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Through his experiences, Owakubariho urges students to cherish their time at UCU and to embrace the values it instills.

“God can use anyone to become anything,” he said. “In the Bible, He used Gideon, who was nothing, to save the Israelites. Likewise, if He could save me, He can save anyone.”

He is now married, but the couple has no child yet.

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To support UCU programs, students, activities and services, go to  www.ugandapartners.org  and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at  m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

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Joy Mwesigwa with her Health Championess of the Year award at the AfriGlo Women’s Choice Awards – Uganda Edition 2025 in Kampala, Uganda, on March 29, 2025.

Student Mwesigwa is already living dream of providing health care

News, Students, UCU School of Medicine, , ,


Joy Mwesigwa with her Health Championess of the Year award at the AfriGlo Women’s Choice Awards – Uganda Edition 2025 in Kampala, Uganda, on March 29, 2025.
Joy Mwesigwa with her Health Championess of the Year award at the AfriGlo Women’s Choice Awards – Uganda Edition 2025 in Kampala, Uganda, on March 29, 2025.

By Pauline Luba
Digital platforms are increasingly becoming a mainstay in the daily operations of professionals. And Joy Mwesigwa, a fourth-year student of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at UCU’s School of Medicine, is one of those who have vowed not to be left behind by this revolution. Mwesigwa last August started a podcast, which she now uses as an avenue of promoting telemedicine. 

The My Doctor Podcast incorporates traditional medical practices with modern tools, ensuring that listeners get the right medical information that can empower them to make informed choices. The platform bridges the gap between healthcare professionals and the public, hence promoting health literacy, and fostering community engagement. 

Because of the power of Mwesigwa’s platform and the impact it is making in society, she was on March 29, 2025, awarded a people’s choice award, the Health Championess of the Year at the AfriGlo Women’s Choice Awards – Uganda Edition 2025. She urged women to be change-makers in their societies. Drawing from her example (she is still a student, but already an influencer in her profession), she said it’s never too early or too late to make a difference.   

Mwesigwa (right) interviewing Pediatrician Sabrina Kitaka for her August 25, 2024, podcast
Mwesigwa (right) interviewing Pediatrician Sabrina Kitaka for her August 25, 2024, podcast

One of the most powerful impacts of the podcast is being able to address many misconceptions, health myths and fears. Take for instance the August 25, 2024, podcast with Dr. Sabrina Kitaka, an academic and pediatrician, on the topic of child and adolescent health.

Asked about some of the biggest health challenges adolescents face, Kitaka, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at the Makerere University’s College of Health Sciences, said because adolescents often do not understand the different biological changes happening in their bodies, they could become experimental with their lives. But such experiments can be averted through having talks on sexuality and sex with the children before their adolescence, so that they become aware of what is about to happen to them, Kitaka advised.

Mwesigwa has also used the podcast platform to build trust and champion otherwise under-looked but relevant content. She recalls an episode on dental hygiene where a dentist guest highlighted the importance of dental floss over toothpicks. Another episode on medical tests before marriage, Mwesigwa says, resonated deeply with listeners. In fact, one woman, after learning about blood compatibility, reached out to “My Doctor” for guidance, which ultimately helped her navigate complications related to her Rhesus factor (protein on red blood cells). Such moments reinforce Mwesigwa’s belief in the power of information to transform lives.

In a past interview, the 23-year-old told Uganda Partners that she got mesmerized with the world of medicine as early as age 10 when her parents — Dr. Albert Siminyu and Mrs. Resty Nanziri Siminyu — would take her to a pediatrician. Mwesigwa names one particular pediatrician, Dr. Jamil Mugalu, who she says conducted his work with so much ease and admiration that it played a role in motivating her to consider joining the profession. Mugalu is a pediatrician at Paed Medical Centre, a medical facility in Kampala.

Mwesigwa (white coat) was part of the team that offered free health services during a medical outreach in Kalerwe, Kampala.
Mwesigwa (white coat) was part of the team that offered free health services during a medical outreach in Kalerwe, Kampala.

“I admire doctors who can make a diagnosis with ease and offer treatment that actually works while still being compassionate, kind and are able to listen to the challenges of patients and their families,” Mwesigwa said.

Her work with “My Doctor” began as a podcast, but it quickly grew into a thriving community focused on improving healthcare accessibility. The initiative collaborates with medical students, doctors, and organizations to run community clinics that offer free healthcare services. One of its standout projects is the Healthcare Entrepreneurship course, which integrates technology into healthcare.

Mwesigwa attended Kampala Quality Primary School, Gayaza High School for O’level and Seeta High School for A’level. In both Gayaza and Seeta, Mwesigwa was a student leader. In Gayaza, she served as the class representative while in Seeta, she was the head girl, president of the Interact Club, and also served as a school news anchor.

Balancing leadership, academics, and personal life has not been easy for Mwesigwa, but she manages it. Time management is not an obstacle, especially when responsibilities clash. She has learned to prioritize and surround herself with a supportive team that allows her to delegate when necessary.

At UCU, she has served as secretary of the Writers’ Society, president of the Physiology Society, and Vice Guild President of the Kampala campus. Her leadership at UCU, she says, has exposed her to the reality that while institutional support is available, it is often limited. This experience taught her the importance of sourcing funds, writing proposals and leveraging organizational support. She quickly learned that most institutions prefer offering services over direct financial aid and that teamwork was crucial in executing projects successfully.

Mwesigwa’s platform is a constant reminder that even with the simplest of tools, one can provide convenient and accessible information as long as they get people of trust to tell that story of change.

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To support Uganda Christian University programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook

UCU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, accompanied by the Dean, UCU School of Medicine, Dr. Gerald Tumusiime, during a maiden visit to Kagando in 2021.

UCU Kagando College: A Beacon of Hope for Maternal Health in Kasese

Faculty of Public Health, Nursing and Midwifery, Kabale, , , , , ,


UCU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, accompanied by the Dean, UCU School of Medicine, Dr. Gerald Tumusiime, during a maiden visit to Kagando in 2021.
UCU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, accompanied by the Dean, UCU School of Medicine, Dr. Gerald Tumusiime, during a maiden visit to Kagando in 2021.

By Jimmy Siyasa
Imagine an expectant mother, filled with anticipation for her newborn, yet gripped by fear—not knowing if she’ll survive childbirth due to maternal health challenges and systemic barriers. Beyond imagination is the stark reality confronting countless Ugandan pregnant and parenting women every day.

Thus, the news of the establishment of  the Uganda Christian University (UCU)-Kagando College sent a strong wave of hope and excitement both within the UCU fraternity and the Kasese, western region, community.

Here’s more of why:

  • According to the Uganda Ministry of Health Annual Health Sector Report for 2023/2024, the Institutional Maternal Mortality Ratio (IMMR) across 20 general hospitals with the highest rates reached a staggering 9,806 deaths in 2024. To put that in perspective, the USA-based Center for Disease Control  (CDC)defines maternal mortality as “the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.” At Kagando General Hospital in Kasese District —a region with nearly 850,000 residents—381 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births were recorded last year. That’s nearly 400 out of every 100,000 women who gave birth in Kasese, never getting the chance to hold their babies.
  • Compare this to the United States, where, with a population of 340.1 million, only 817 women died of maternal causes in 2024, per CDC data. Kasese’s population is just shy of South Dakota’s 886,667, yet its maternal death toll is disproportionately high—a sobering statistic that demands attention. Remarkably, Kagando General Hospital’s IMMR was among the ‘lowest’ on Uganda’s list of 20 worst-affected hospitals, hinting at the dire state of maternal care nationwide.
  • Leading drivers of maternal death in Uganda are obstetric hemorrhage (excessive bleeding before, during and after child birth), infections, delays in seeking care, and a critical skills gap among healthcare workers. The Uganda National Institute of Public Health identifies this skills deficit—particularly in emergency obstetric and newborn care—as an “avoidable” factor driving maternal deaths. The urgent need to train both current and future healthcare professionals is clear. No mother or child should die due to ignorance or negligence.

Earlier this year, the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) greenlit the transformation of Kagando Training Institution into a Constituent College of UCU following a rigorous four-year review. 

The final assessment, conducted in July 2024, saw Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi and UCU’s Cabinet showcase the college’s readiness—evaluating staff qualifications, library resources, classrooms, laboratories and management structure, among other elements. UCU’s Academic Affairs division worked tirelessly to meet every regulatory benchmark, leading to the approval later from the NCHE dated February 7, 2025. 

Inside the Nursing Skills Lab at Kagando Training Institution
Inside the Nursing Skills Lab at Kagando Training Institution

Set to launch operations in 2025 with an initial capacity of 540 students, UCU-KUC will offer three vital programs: Bachelor of Nursing Science, Bachelor of Midwifery Science and Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science. On April 5, 2025, the UCU Vice Chancellor and other top management staff were scheduled to officially commission the college at a ceremony in Kasese, bringing UCU’s total number of constituent colleges to three—Mbale, Kabale and now Kagando.

For Kasese, a densely populated district in western Uganda, this is more than an academic milestone—it’s a lifeline. Expectant mothers can now look forward to safer deliveries and the joy of nurturing their newborns, thanks to a new generation of skilled healthcare providers that will in no time emerge from UCU KUC. 

UCU Kagando College isn’t just a training ground; it’s a beacon of hope tackling one of Uganda’s most pressing health crises. UCU Management’s investment in this initiative means equipping healthcare workers to save lives, reducing maternal mortality and strengthening a community of nearly a million people. 

As such, it is an uphill, yet worthy and doable task, given the necessary support and collaborations that may further support the establishment of state-of-the-art labs, scholarships for aspiring midwives and nurses, and cutting-edge research to address local health challenges. 

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To support Uganda Christian University programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

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Dr. Ivan Habaasa Akatwijuka, the BBUC Secretary

Akatwijuka: From school dropout to PhD holder

News, Students, UCU Bishop Barham University College, ,


Dr. Ivan Habaasa Akatwijuka, the BBUC Secretary
Dr. Ivan Habaasa Akatwijuka, the BBUC Secretary

By Irene Best Nyapendi
When storms descend and trials cut off one’s firm grip on life, a natural reaction might be to retreat. To many, that withdrawal may mark the end of the pursuit. To a few, like Ivan Habaasa Akatwijuka, a retreat after a stumble is for purposes of re-organizing oneself in order to bounce back in a bigger way.

That is exactly what happened to Akatwijuka during his younger years as a teen. Akatwijuka is now the College Secretary of Uganda Christian University (UCU) Bishop Barham University College (BBUC) and nearing a doctoral degree.

After excelling as the best pupil in his primary school, Akatwijuka found himself sitting at home for two-and-a-half years before resuming school. The family already struggled to pay fees for Akatwijuka’s elder sister, so they could not meet his requirements as well.

But Akatwijuka did not let the circumstances of the time shape his future. He took matters into his own hands, taking up manual jobs, such as those at construction sites. 

“From the money I made, I became a middleman in the coffee value chain,” he said. “I would buy the crop at a cheaper price from farmers and sell it to processors at a higher price. That’s how I managed to save enough money for my secondary school fees.”

Additionally, the community members who knew Akatwijuka’s  education resolution supported him. During school holidays, many of them would offer him jobs to help him raise money for school fees. 

It was through such small, often under-looked tasks that Akatwijuka learned the value of hard work and determination – lessons he says have guided him in life. And it is this hard work that has seen Akatwijuka attain all the academic successes, with his latest being a PhD. In June, Kabale University will bestow on Akatwijuka a PhD in Business Administration. 

His educational journey began at Nyakariro Primary School from where he joined Nyakagyeme and, later, Bugangari Secondary School for O’level. At A’level, Akatwijuka attended St. Gerald’s Nyakibale Secondary School. All the four schools are in western Uganda.

For his undergraduate study, Akatwijuka attended Kyambogo University in Kampala, where he studied Bachelor of Business Studies with Education, on a Ugandan government bursary. At Uganda Management Institute, he attained a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Management and a Master’s degree in Management Studies. It is at Rukungiri Institute of Management where Akatwijuka was offered his first formal job as an assistant lecturer.  

As the university secretary, a position Akatwijuka has held since 2019, he oversees financial operations, sanctions budgets and handles the payroll, ensuring the institution remains financially sound. In addition to the role of University Secretary, he also teaches human resource and financial management at both bachelor’s and master’s levels.

For the PhD research, Akatwijuka focused on financial management and performance of private universities. He explored the challenges private universities in Uganda face in managing resources and found that many struggle to link proprietors with stakeholders. 

He also found that 90% of private universities rely solely on student tuition, which can be a heavy burden. His research is emphatic on pursuing alternative strategies, such as building strategic partnerships, effective financial management, applying for grants and investing in assets.

Akatwijuka says paying his tuition stretched his resources, leading him to take loans and even sell some of the trees that he was growing. 

During the PhD study, most of the late nights were spent on his dissertation work, often at the expense of his personal and family time. He said the pressure to deliver took a toll on his health, and that he eventually developed high blood pressure as well as weight gain since he often sat for long hours. 

He is grateful to UCU for the 5% tuition support and to his wife, who he says took on extra responsibilities to be able to support on paying some of the family bills. He is grateful to God for he has seen the hand of God throughout this journey.

As Akatwijuka prepares to graduate in June, the 46-year-old married man and father of one reflects on his journey with pride. Through his experience and challenges, he has learned that motivation and hard work, indeed, pay off.

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To support UCU programs, students, activities and services, go to  www.ugandapartners.org  and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at  m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.

A group photo of the supervisors and some USP staff

USP enhances internships through supervisor training

News, Students, UCU Alumni, USP


A group photo of the supervisors and some USP staff
A group photo of the supervisors and some USP staff

By Kefa Senoga
The Uganda Studies Program (USP) recently hosted a supervisors’ training at the Uganda Christian University (UCU) main campus in Mukono. The 2025 Spring Semester Internship Supervisor’s Training brought together internship supervisors for Social Work, Global Health, and Interdisciplinary Studies to discuss best practices, ethical considerations and emerging trends in internship supervision.

USP is a study-abroad program for students from North America for semester-long academic and internship experiences in Uganda. Through classes, internships and living with Ugandan families or peers, the program provides opportunities for students to authentically engage people, culture, and contemporary realities in Uganda in ways that challenge them to be active participants in Christ’s claim on all aspects of life.

USP director, Emily Entsminger
USP director, Emily Entsminger

According to the USP director, Emily Entsminger, supervisor training helps ensure the internships are both mutually beneficial and ethically sound. The gatherings provide a platform for supervisors to exchange insights, share challenges and enhance cross-cultural engagement strategies. 

Internship supervisors are Ugandan professionals from national and grassroots organizations who oversee and mentor USP students during their placements. They ensure students gain practical experience while upholding ethical standards in their respective field.

Emily noted that supervisors are identified through USP’s network of partner organizations and institutions that provide internship placements. They are selected based on their expertise, experience in mentoring students, and alignment with USP and UCU learning objectives.

“Since USP began, we have worked with numerous partner organizations,” Emily explained. “What started as volunteer and community service hours evolved into full-time internships. To support these placements, we conduct supervisor training to provide updates on USP, offer professional development and foster collaboration among supervisors.”

She noted that the training sessions help to align the values of USP, UCU and the supervisors.

 “This past training (January 2025), focused on professional development, particularly on supervising students from the Global North in a Ugandan context. We invited other Ugandan professionals to share their experiences,” Emily said.

USP boasts of over 970 alumni (120 male and the rest female), who have since become global alumni ambassadors of UCU and sponsors in partnership with UCU. For over two decades of USP existence, the program has had over 93 American and Ugandan staff members, including coordinators, program assistants and homestay coordinators.

One of the supervisors, Robert Ssentongo, who runs Natural Hill Herbal Services in Namugongo, near Kampala, shared his journey with USP. Initially a host parent, Ssentongo later became a supervisor after a former intern shared his story about how he produces herbal medicine.

“They visited my shop and were impressed by what they saw,” he said. “Their lecturer believed my business would benefit Global Health students, so USP started sending me student interns.”

Ssentongo explained that interns actively participate in harvesting and preparing herbal medicines, learning to source ingredients, such as cloves, from the markets.

Some of the supervisors who attended the training session
Some of the supervisors who attended the training session

“I take students to markets to buy ingredients and guide them through the process of making herbal medicine,” he said. “People are often surprised when they visit our shop and see the students referring to me as the expert. Many Africans tend to assume that, because the students are white, they must be the experts, and not me.”

The internship experience always leaves an impact on both the students and Ssentongo. 

“Many times, after returning to their countries, they call me to share how they’ve applied what they learned and found it effective,” he said.

Mary Kate Leloux, a former USP student, shared how her internship experience in Uganda reshaped her career and faith. Motivated by a desire to explore global health and communal culture, she joined USP and was an intern with Byona Biyinzika Ministries (BBM) in early 2020.

“My experience at BBM exposed me to the social and economic factors influencing health. I became more aware of how systemic changes can lead to positive health outcomes,” she said. “This led me to pursue a Master’s in Public Health at the University of Minnesota.”

Now serving as a USP Coordinator, Leloux believes in the program’s potential for growth and learning.

 “USP offers North American students unique opportunities to engage in a Ugandan context,” she said. “My own experience informs how I now teach global health students and navigate life in Uganda.”

She recalled a challenge she faced adjusting to Uganda’s flexible concept of time. “In my upbringing, time ruled my life. During my internship, I had to learn to prioritize relationships over strict time management.”

Leloux credited her supervisor for guiding her through cultural differences.

 “My supervisor prepared me well for village visits, asked insightful questions, and helped me navigate cross-cultural interactions,” she said. “This experience deeply influenced how I now engage with Uganda.”

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To support UCU programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org  and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at  m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

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Administrators, academic registrars and facilitators after the seminar with (wearing blue neck tie, in center) UCU Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof Aaron Mushengyezi

UCU training re-affirms need to fuse faith and learning

Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology, Faculty, News, UCU Alumni, , , ,


Administrators, academic registrars and facilitators after the faith-integration seminar (wearing blue neck tie, in center, is UCU Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi)
Administrators, academic registrars and facilitators after the faith-integration seminar (wearing blue neck tie, in center,is UCU Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi)

By Irene Best Nyapendi
Anyone with a firm spiritual foundation will find it easier to develop a sense of purpose that nurtures emotional resilience, which is key in navigating both academic and broader life challenges. This is the foundation on which Uganda Christian University (UCU) was built 27 years ago. 

And the university continues to bask in that foundation. A recent seminar at the UCU main campus in Mukono is testament to this. 

UCU’s Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology, in partnership with Theological Education Development Services (TEDS), an organization from South Africa, conducted a week-long Integration of Faith and Learning (IFLS) training. This workshop, held late January, was a follow-up of a similar one in 2023 that was also facilitated by Caroline and Richard Seed from TEDS in South Africa. It aimed at seamlessly integrating faith into UCU’s curricula while promoting a holistic approach to education.

The Rev. Dr. Caroline Seed from TEDS in South Africa, guides UCU staff through innovative strategies for embedding faith into learning and service.
The Rev. Dr. Caroline Seed from TEDS in South Africa, guides UCU staff through innovative strategies for embedding faith into learning and service.

At the recent workshop, the duo guided UCU staff through innovative strategies for embedding faith into learning and service. A foundation set on the premise of a formal orthodox foundation for both students and university staff means that the model combines academic learning with community service, allowing students to apply their faith, develop empathy and address social issues from a Christian perspective.

Throughout the five days of the seminar, the facilitators emphasized the importance of fulfilling UCU’s faith mission by embodying its five core values of Christ-centeredness, Diligence, Integrity, Servanthood and Stewardship. The over 180 staff, comprising senior university managers, assistant registrars, and lecturers at the seminar, participated in discussions and practical exercises intended to equip them with the skills to seamlessly integrate faith into their teaching.

According to the Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Mukeshimana, a lecturer and the coordinator of IFLS at UCU, the program encourages students to adopt a decent dress code and promotes core values centered on Christ. 

The Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Mukeshimana, a UCU lecturer and IFLS coordinator
The Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Mukeshimana, a UCU lecturer and IFLS coordinator

“We have faith integrated into our curricula in foundational course units, but now I have learned to integrate prayer, scripture and theological reflection into classroom activities,” Mukeshimana noted.

All students of UCU pursue Foundation Studies as part of their study, irrespective of the course they are undertaking. The Foundation Studies courses include the Old Testament, the New Testament, Understanding Ethics, World Views and Health and Wholeness. 

“I learned to weave faith throughout my teaching; the goal is to revolutionize the curriculum by infusing every course unit with faith,” Mukeshimana explained.

During the training, Mrs. Grace Kesande Tusubira, an administrative assistant, recognized the importance of maintaining an open and inclusive environment. 

“I now strive to create an inclusive environment where Christian values are upheld,” she said. 

Mrs. Grace Kesande Tusubira attending the seminar at UCU’s main campus in Mukono
Mrs. Grace Kesande Tusubira attending the seminar at UCU’s main campus in Mukono

Kesande noted that embracing the doctrine of God can demonstrate transparency through open communication, which builds trust and fosters accountability. 

One of the goals that Kesande set for herself after the training was to focus on increasing stakeholder engagement and being more responsive to inquiries.

Mr. Osborn Ahimbisibwe, UCU’s Research Ethics Manager, noted the Worldview Integration Model as a standout concept from the conference. “It fosters critical thinking, reflection, and dialogue to cultivate a holistic understanding of truth and knowledge,” he explained.

Ahimbisibwe said he also gained valuable insights into effective staff management. He learned about different employee types, including those passionate about their work, those less motivated, and those who merely go through the motions. This understanding, he explained, enabled him to develop strategies for managing diverse personalities and work styles.

“I also discovered the importance of recognizing individual strengths and weaknesses,” he added. “By helping colleagues address their weaknesses and build on their strengths, we can work towards a shared vision and mission.”

For Livingstone Kafeero, the assistant registrar in charge of transcripts, certificates, and results, the seminar offered valuable insights to enhance the faith-infused educational experience.

“I was reminded that leadership is about creating conditions for all to rise,” Kafeero said. 

Martin Kajubi, a lecturer, said: “The collective commitment to this integrative approach reaffirms UCU’s mission to prepare students for productive lives of Christian faith and service.”

The implementers of the teaching model say they are fully cognisant of the challenges that may arise with this learning approach, one of which is perceiving faith integration as imposing beliefs on academic inquiry.

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Dr. Elizabeth Namukombe Ekong is UCU’s new Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, Nursing, and Midwifery, and the current chairperson of the Uganda Nursing and Midwives Council.

Ekong becomes Dean of Faculty of Public Health, Nursing, and Midwifery

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Dr. Elizabeth Namukombe Ekong is UCU’s new Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, Nursing, and Midwifery, and the current chairperson of the Uganda Nursing and Midwives Council.
Dr. Elizabeth Namukombe Ekong is UCU’s new Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, Nursing, and Midwifery, and the current chairperson of the Uganda Nursing and Midwives Council.

By Irene Best Nyapendi
Midwives are witnesses of the miracle that giving birth is. In doing so, they support mothers through labor and delivery. And that has been the profession of Dr. Elizabeth Namukombe Ekong for decades, both as an active and passive participant. 

For the times when she was an active midwife, Ekong says one of her most memorable experiences involved a baby who was delivered breech. A breech is when either the bottom or the feet of the baby comes first during delivery. And as expected, such scenarios may result in complications if not handled skillfully. For the case that Ekong was handling, the baby came out but was not breathing. Neither did it cry. And that was a serious concern for both the mother and the medics.

‘It finally cried’
Ekong took the baby to a separate room, performed resuscitation, and prayed fervently, declaring life into it, until it finally cried. Overjoyed, she connected the baby to oxygen and brought it back to the mother, who was filled with tears of joy. Those are the kinds of miracles that from childhood, Ekong prayed to be performing – bringing hope to a distressed patient. 

“I was determined to touch lives and help people feel better,” she recalls.

However, along the way, she changed direction, from clinical practice to academia, possibly to ensure that instead of practicing, she takes charge of teaching and churning out more medics who will be able to do what she all along dreamed of.

Midwifery or teaching?
Ekong crossed to academia in 2008 after completing her Bachelor of Nursing Science at Uganda Christian University (UCU). She was among the pioneer students for this course at UCU. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she was faced with a difficult choice: to remain in her government position as a midwife or accept a tutorial assistant role at UCU.  She chose the latter.  

And since 2008, Ekong has not looked back, growing through the ranks at UCU, with her most recent appointment as the Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, Nursing, and Midwifery. 

She holds a Diploma in Midwifery, a Diploma in Nursing, a Bachelor of Nursing Science from UCU (2008), a master’s degree (2011), and a PhD from the University of Central Nicaragua (2022). Dr. Karen Drake, emeritus professor of nursing, Bethel University (St. Paul, Minn.), has been her mentor.

“I was surprised when I heard that I had been appointed dean, but after I shared the information with my family and friends, their excitement for me filled my heart with joy,” she said during an interview she granted Uganda Partners recently.

She sees her latest appointment as a calling from God, as well as the result of her strong attention to detail and dedication to her work, qualities she says her colleagues have consistently recognized.

Now, as dean
As she takes over from Dr. Miriam Mutabazi, she envisions increasing student enrollment, growing strong faculty teams, and expanding the faculty’s programs, including the introduction of a PhD program.

As dean, she has delegated the responsibility for clinical course units to others, as her role requires her to be less present at the hospital with the students. However, she continues to serve as a senior lecturer, teaching students pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the faculty.

She identifies one of the faculty’s key challenges as operating in hospitals that are not owned by UCU for student training. This often prevents them from taking all students to a single facility due to capacity limitations, highlighting the need for more staff. 

To address this, they collaborate with personnel at such hospitals to assist in training. She envisions a future where UCU has its own hospital, enhancing the educational experience for students.

What makes UCU’s nursing program unique is that the Bachelor of Nursing Science curriculum includes Foundation Courses like world views, Christian living (New and Old Testament), Christian ethics and others. The curriculum is designed to equip students with the necessary competencies and skills that the teaching staff are committed to pass on. The Master of Nursing Science curriculum integrates the Christian and professional ethics in the different course units, giving the graduates unique competencies that make them stand out in the communities they serve.

Such an approach focuses on nurturing students to embrace both professional and Christian ethics, in line with the nursing anthem that proclaims their divine calling to serve. 

Ekong is the chairperson of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council (UNMC), the regulators of the nursing profession in Uganda. The body enforces standards of training and practice, registers nurses and midwives, and provides professional guidelines for public safety.

At 57, Ekong is a mother and wife, married to Dr. Ekong Joseph, a medical doctor. The couple has been married for more than 25 years. They are blessed with three biological children, two of whom are currently pursuing degrees at UCU. She says her family has been a source of strength and encouragement, supporting her through her career journey.

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To support UCU programs, students, activities and services, go to www.ugandapartners.org  and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at  m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org.

Also, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.