All posts by Edwin Byarugaba

‘I am part of spina bifida statistics’

May 3, 2024Journalism, StudentsChristianity, Journalism, Spina BifidaEdwin Byarugaba

Pauline Luba, diagnosed with spina bifida as a baby, is a final-year student in UCU’s School of Journalism, Media and Communication.

(Note: This first-person story is provided by Pauline Luba, a final-year, undergraduate student in Uganda Christian University’s School of Journalism, Media and Communication. She is one of three interns writing for Uganda Partners. As she prepares to receive her bachelor’s degree this October, one of her next steps is helping others who, like her, have spina bifida. In late April, she launched a web site focused on that goal.)

By Pauline Luba
Born in May of 2002, I was the last of four children of a housewife and engineer. They were elated to bring another healthy baby into the world – at least for the first five months.

At six months, my mother noticed a peculiar swelling on the lower part of my tiny back. It quickly grew into a huge sac and prompted a rush to the hospital. Following tests, the doctor determined I had spina bifida, a birth defect in which the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly. The National Institutes of Health reports up to 10 of every 1,000 babies have it. An estimated 1,400 children are born with spina bifida annually in Uganda.

Spina bifida is a condition in which a spinal cord fails to develop properly. One of two things happens: 1) a large sac develops; or 2) a deep opening occurs where the spine should be. The types are myelomeningocele, meningocele and occulta.

Myelomeningocele, which is the most serious spina bifida type, has a sack of fluid coming through an opening in the back. Part of the spinal cord and nerves are damaged in this sac. Most people with this type lose feeling in their legs, cannot use the bathroom and are generally faced with disability for life.

Meningocele is just a sac in the back with fluid and no part of the spinal cord. However, it may have some nerves and may lead to minor disabilities in one’s life.

Occulta is best described as where the gap in the spine is so small and underdeveloped that it goes undetected until late childhood or early adulthood. Unlike other types, occulta does not carry any disabilities or issues for the victims. Scientists theorise that it may be caused by genetics or environment but it needs to be studied further.

I have meningocele. I am part of spina

bifida statistics. This, then, is not my full story, but rather a fraction of my obstacles punctuated with frustrations, learning and hope through the encouragement of God and His people.

At age six months, the sac in my back was successfully removed, but nerve damage occurred either from spina bifida or from the surgery itself. My mother blamed the surgeon.

My nerve damage caused issues in my left leg. It became weak and smaller in size than my right. There was a note of paralysis in part of my foot and toes. Doctor visits both in Kenya and Uganda were part of my childhood. Medical professionals said I was spina bifida-free with related or unrelated muscle atrophy best alleviated with exercise and physiotherapy, the latter of which was outside my family budget.

I was often bullied by my peers for being the girl whose legs were “two different sizes.”

Still vivid in my memory is this childhood ridicule. One girl laughed loudly, pointing at my legs each time I stood up and walked to see the timetable at the front of the class. At the library, where students were required to remove shoes to enter, I was mocked again as classmates saw how I had tissue stuffed in mine to help them fit. I can still hear the glee from boys and girls when once I fell from the imbalance of an atrophied leg and even more with kids wrapping index fingers and thumbs around my lower leg to point out the small size.

Pauline, left, growing up with two older sisters.

School-required dresses (vs. pants) for girls made my disability more obvious.

I developed a dislike for being touched, especially on my leg, and often isolated myself from other kids. At home, I cried a lot and sometimes pretended to be sick to avoid school.

This took a toll on me, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Teasing and insensitive comments follow me even now as a young adult. Acquaintances and random people ask what happened to my leg. Some have genuine curiosity, whereas others laugh.

I found myself asking God why.

Why do I look different? Why can’t I have equally sized-legs like everybody else? Why am I sick more than others? While I did fake sickness occasionally, other times I was genuinely battling malaria or sinusitis or allergies to the cold.

I felt I was a burden to my family.

Throughout my self-isolation as a child, books were my friends. Books offered a beautiful escape and provided a deeper understanding of many things. When I wasn’t reading, I also started seeing the value in all people, regardless of disability.

One instance of this was in mid 2023, when Uganda Partners assigned me a story on a swimmer living with a disability at the university. Even before the story was written my interest peaked. The student I was meant to interview had lost his leg in an accident at age eight.

Hearing the young man recount his tale of pain, suffering, rejuvenation and finding himself in swimming has stuck with me to this very day. His explanation about how he thought of nothing when he was in the water felt similar to how I thought of nothing when I read. Even though I was interviewing him that day, he took the wheel on teaching me a very important lesson on perspective and achieving what you want – regardless of what they world may think of you.

Now, as a student soon to receive my bachelor’s degree from Uganda Christian University, I can look back to find some silver linings that made me stronger, smarter and more sensitive to the differences of others.

While books were my friends, God was my bigger friend. He was there to catch my tears, answer my questions, and encourage me.

I am today selective about acquaintances, fostering genuine connections and friendships.

One difficult situation I overcame was when I had to stand in front of an assembly at O’ level as a prefect and give a speech in my skirt, trying hard not to think about everyone judging me. To date, I have won speech competitions. To this, I mostly thank my older sisters, who believed in me and encouraged me.

Belief in myself moves me now to set up a non-profit which seeks to raise awareness about spina bifida, fund surgeries of patients, offer aid in their areas and so much more. It goes by the name of Kore – a pronunciation play on the word “core,” referring to the spine and how it’s one of the “core” body parts.

Kore community-based organization officially launched its website and social media in late April 2024. It’s found at www.koreug.org. My family and close friends are elated with the organization, but more so with the decision to begin this project considering my personal experience.

I am not the most connected, wealthy or professional person in this country, but I am hopeful that my experience will drive this organization to its goal. I want to see more awareness about this disease, pregnant women taking the measures to protect their babies against it, children growing up without its associated stigma and combating the associated mental, social and physical challenges. I hope to assemble a team with so much creativity, that we don’t do things the normal way.

And most of all, I hope to instill an essence of God into the hearts of all we touch. Without Him, I would not be here today.

I knew of Him, but once I started to foster a deeper relationship with Him, that was the true beginning of my life. I was born with something I did not ask for, but I will not let it interfere with the dreams I have for myself.

I want people with a similar story to read mine and know they are not alone. In my testimony to come, I hope to continue sharing to prove that no matter the disease, one’s life can still be fruitful and joyous.

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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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Amoit: From daddy’s to the world’s engineer

April 19, 2024Faculty of Engineering, Design & Technology, News, Students, UCU AlumniEdwin Byarugaba

Faith Amoit Codrine is passionate about structural dynamics

By Kefa Senoga
Long ago, when a television set malfunctioned at the home of Okolong Charles, his daughter, Faith Codrine Amoit, embarked on a mission to repair it. Although she did not get it to perform its function again, Okolong was convinced his daughter would perform well in an engineering career.

He started calling her “my engineer.”

The title, “my engineer,” Amoit says, inspired her to pursue a course of her father’s wish. Fortunately for her, she loved science. Because she was fascinated by buildings, Amoit says she opted to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Uganda Christian University (UCU), from where she graduated in 2018.

Her father is deceased, but Amoit continues to keep his dream of an engineer daughter alive.

The knowledge she garnered at UCU was essential during her 2019-2022 work as Junior Civil Engineer at Dar-Al-Handasah, a global consultancy firm providing design, planning, engineering, sustainability consulting, digital solutions and services, and project management. Dar-Al-Handasah work connects to buildings, cities, transportation, civil infrastructure, water and the environment. During those three years, Amoit was part of the team working on the upgrade and expansion of Entebbe International Airport in Uganda.

Even though she was consistently ranked among the top five students in her course while at UCU, Amoit says things were difficult and that she was “just trying to survive,” not to excel. She has soldiered on, specialising in the field of structural engineering. From September 2022 to September 2023, Amoit, who is passionate about structural dynamics, was a Chevening Scholar at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom (UK), where she pursued an MSc in Structural Engineering.

The Chevening scholarship is intended to attract outstanding emerging leaders from all over the world to pursue one-year master’s degrees in the UK.

“There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ Chevening Scholar, but those who are successful tend to have ambition, leadership qualities, and a passion for influencing positive change in their home countries,” reads a description of the scholarship on their website.

The course, according to Amoit, covered critical issues like seismic design, design optimisation, steel and concrete design.

“My favourite module was the structural design project, which involved the design of the North Stand of the Elland Road football stadium,” she wrote on LinkedIn. The Elland Road is the home of England Championship club Leeds United.

“The study compared the structural systems based on lateral displacement as an effect of wind, cost and carbon footprint,” she wrote, adding that such knowledge is essential for structural engineers when designing buildings of different heights at the conceptual stage. Her dissertation work involved learning how to use software and robotics simulation.

Since her return from the UK in January this year, Amoit has been involved in private work, helping to produce structural drawings and plans for clients.

Amoit says she would love to be the beacon of hope in the engineering field dominated by men. She wishes to affirm to young women that pursuing a course in engineering is possible. Currently, she is mentoring some girls to interest them into the field of engineering.

“When different groups approach me to seek advice and talk to girls, I willingly take up those spaces to offer encouragement and support to them.”

Amoit also takes advantage of another platform — Rotaract, a not-for-profit service organisation — where she is actively involved, to continue mentoring girls through the Rotaract Ladies Initiative.

“We used to go to different parts of the country every year to empower young women into making things like sanitary towels and equipping them with different skills like crocheting, tailoring, to help them generate income.”

Amoit attended Shimoni Demonstration School for her primary education, St Maria Goretti Katende for O’level and St Mary’s Secondary School, Kitende for A’level. All the three schools are located in central Uganda.

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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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UCU student balances job opportunity and studies

April 17, 2024News, Students, UCU School of BusinessEdwin Byarugaba

Derrick Matovu serving fuel at Stabex station in Seeta

By Irene Best Nyapendi
It began with a simple stroll around the bazaar grounds at Uganda Christian University (UCU). Derrick Matovu, a School of Business student, was there to see the latest trends within the exhibitors. That casual trip to the bazaar last year provided Matovu an unexpected opportunity.

He was especially drawn to a stall that belonged to Stabex International, a fuel and gas company in Uganda. Little did he know that his inquisitive demeanor attracted the attention of the stall owners. Before he knew it, the exhibitors asked if he was interested in being an ambassador for their Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) gas cylinders, which are largely used for cooking. And for that role, he would earn a commission of sh5,000 (about $1.3) for every gas cylinder sold to a buyer.

Matovu serves as a fuel pump attendant during the night shift at the fuel station.

Matovu saw the opportunity as a godsend. At the time, he was a class leader, and was sure of leveraging that position to market the cylinders to his classmates. As the class leader, Matovu was the link between students in his class and the university administration, often helping to pass on to the students any communication from the university authorities, and vice versa. Matovu took advantage of the free time he had during the two weeks of the bazaar to market the gas cylinders at the event. He also took advantage of the class Whatsapp groups to market the cylinders.

That marketing activity in essence ushered Matovu into the practical side of the course that he is pursuing at UCU — Bachelor of Business Administration. And that was not even his initial program choice. The 29-year-old had wanted to pursue a science-related course. However, his father, a businessman, knew the benefits that his son would accrue as a business professional. He thus encouraged Matovu to pursue his current course.

For his internship, Matovu’s father secured for his son a placement at the country’s forestry agency, the National Forestry Authority. Again, this was against the wishes of Matovu who wanted to use the opportunity to further cement his relationship with Stabex International. He had secured an internship placement, but had to go with his father’s choice.

Matovu eventually formalized his relationship with Stabex International in November last year, getting employed as a fuel pump attendant. He underwent a two-week training at Stabex International fuel station branch in Mukono, but was employed at the Seeta branch, located 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) away from UCU.

“I chose to work to reduce the burden I was heaping on my sister and father who were providing the money,” Matovu, the second-born of three siblings, said. “I also knew that it was not possible to entirely depend on my family for upkeep.”

At Stabex, Matovu’s schedule is for night shift while at UCU, his classes take place during the day. He balances work and studies.

His night shift as a fuel pump begins at 4:50 p.m. and ends at 6:50 a.m. Fortunately, he only has two lectures that start at 8 a.m. and on such days, he makes sure to be at his hostel by 7:20 a.m. to be able to prepare for class.

On days when his classes start later in the day, he takes advantage of that to first catch some sleep, before he heads to the university for lectures.

Balancing the demands of work and school, coupled with transportation expenses, has tested Matovu’s resolve.

At his workplace, pump attendants are given allowance for meals, which he uses for his transport. Matovu spends sh6,000 ($1.6) on transport every day, which is beyond the amount they are given for lunch. To cater for the shortfall, on many days, he walks part of the distance. On other days, he may choose to forego lunch, so he saves some money for transport. On the few days he gets tips from customers, that serves as his transport top-up.

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UCU researchers seek to multiply bamboo production for more benefits

April 15, 2024Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, News, StudentsEdwin Byarugaba

By Pauline Luba
Micropropagation refers to the growing of plants in closed vessels that contain culture media with nutrients and growth regulators. Since the plants are grown in glass, they are described as in vitro, as opposed to in vivo plants that are grown in soil.

Knowing the multiple benefits and uses of the bamboo plant, Winnie Namutosi, a Uganda Christian University (UCU) alum and lecturer, and her co-researchers are currently in the laboratory in a bid to micropropagate this member of the grass family, using a growth medium that has nutrients and hormones.

To produce the micro propagated plants, clear protocols are needed. These protocols are not yet known, and that is what Namutosi and her colleague researchers— Prof. William Kisaalita, Joel Karama and Joseph Galiwango — are attempting to develop. Namutosi also has worked with UCU academics and researchers Bulyaba Rosemary, Nakanwangi Mildred Julian, Buteme Ruth, Sseremba Godfrey and Kizito Elizabeth Balyejusa to decipher the reproductive barriers that hinder improvement of African eggplants. The study findings were published in Euphytica under the title “Compatibility Barriers affecting Crossability of Solanum aethiopicum and its relatives”

Specimens of bamboo multiplication in the laboratory

It is no surprise that Namutosi is part of the group that is developing the bamboo tissue culture protocols. She comes from Sironko district in eastern Uganda, where smoked bamboo shoots are one of the staple foods. Locally known as malewa, the staple was originally served as a complete meal, but was later transformed into sauce, prepared with simsim paste or peanut butter.

Bamboo shoots, which are eaten like vegetables, are a source of protein, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins E and C. It also can be burned for fuel, taking pressure off dwindling forest reserves of eucalyptus and other natural resources.

But Namutosi is looking beyond just the malewa that bamboo provides. For her master’s research, she focused on the study of improving crops (African eggplants). It was then that she realized how charcoal is a major source of fuel in many households in Uganda. However, it is that great need for charcoal that has conspired with other factors to lead to deforestation in the country.

Namutosi believes that the bamboo plant can help to reduce carbon emissions to the atmosphere, hence mitigating the effects of climatic change.

“When you look at the environment, it needs to be conserved,” said Namutosi, who has experience in plant breeding and agricultural research.

The wood asset in Uganda reduced by 45 per cent between 1990 and 2015, from 355.5 million to 197.1 million tons. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, after an initial 4 per cent increase in wood biomass between 1990 and 2000, the national stock suffered a significant reduction of 42.5 percent between 2000 and 2005. Despite a modest 3 percent recovery between 2005 and 2010, the aggregate stock fell by another 9 percent between 2010 and 2015.

Uganda’s total forest land area was 4.93 million hectares (12.2 million acres) in 1990, which decreased by 60 percent to 1.95 million hectares (4.8 million acres) by 2015, according to the Ugandan government statistics. However, by 2023, the forest cover had shown a reversal in the trajectory, improving by four percentage points.

Namutosi and colleagues are now exploring possibilities of large-scale production of bamboo so it can serve the high demand for wood from charcoal burners. Bamboo is a fast-growing plant and easily adapts to many weather conditions. A hectare (2.47 acres) of a bamboo plantation is said to absorb more than 60 tons of carbon dioxide per annum, which is 30 percent more than the case with other plants. Bamboo is said to release more oxygen to the atmosphere than other plants. As such, Namutosi believes that the plant will help to reduce carbon emissions to the atmosphere, hence mitigating the effects of climatic change.

The second born of eight siblings, Namutosi is a daughter of farmer parents — Patrick and Olivia Nabitu. She attended Mahempe Primary School in Sironko district and Bugisu High School in Mbale for both O’level and A’level. In 2015, she joined UCU, where she obtained a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and Entrepreneurship. After doing research on animals for her undergraduate, Namutosi opted to focus on crop improvement for her master’s research, graduating with a Master of Science in Agriculture. She is currently an assistant lecturer and a researcher at UCU.

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Ugandan students share thoughts on celebrating Easter

April 5, 2024Easter, Faculty of Engineering, Design & Technology, Journalism, News, Students, UCU School of MedicineEdwin Byarugaba

The Easter season marks the end of Lent, the fasting period for Christians. People celebrate Easter differently. Partners Intern Pauline Luba asked four students from three universities how they usually celebrate the Easter season and what the season means to them.

Ananda Tayebwa, 21, final year Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication at Uganda Christian UniversityAs a Catholic, the Easter season is a really special time for me. It’s the time when we remember the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus Christ paid for us, sinners, by dying on the cross and celebrating his resurrection. This brings hope to us that we, too, will resurrect and find new life in Heaven.

To me, Easter is a time of renewal, forgiveness and joy. As Catholics, to

prepare adequately to celebrate Easter, we ought to fast, like we did during Lent, confess our sins and also give alms.

Honestly, I didn’t know that people actually celebrated the Easter bunny. This practice, in my view, clashes with traditional Christianity in that it draws people away from the main focus, which is Jesus and His defeat of death. I think it’s fascinating how the different denominations celebrate Easter because regardless of what we believe, we all acknowledge it’s a time for joy and celebration.

⁠Across Christianity, the overall message is one of hope, redemption, and the victory of life over death. It’s a reminder of God’s love for us and the promise of eternal life through Jesus. It’s a powerful and uplifting message that unites Christians around the world.

**Kelly Williams Kayanja, 24, Makerere University/Multitech, student of Bachelor of Information Technology**

With a friend, we used to visit another common friend of ours, to discuss issues of faith. Part of the debate we always had was about God and science. At the time, we had almost no faith in God’s teaching. As a result, the Easter season would pass just as any other holiday season. The Bible wasn’t making scientific sense to me.

However, thanks to our frequent visits to our friend, we soon started to believe in God’s existence. I reverted to Christianity in my final year in A’level. The Easter season brings family members together and is really symbolic of the love of God.

**Elaine Wabwire, 22, Rhodes University (South Africa), final year student of Bachelor of Journalism and Mass communication**

About 11 years ago while still in primary school, we would decorate eggs with glitter and then participate in the Easter egg hunt, after which we would share a meal. However, I no longer participate in the egg hunt anymore.

Traditional Christian Easter practices focus on the resurrection of Jesus. The Easter period is a time to reflect, pray and donate to charity. It would be important if the true meaning of the Easter celebration is drummed up in the minds of the children, so they understand it from a young age.

As they mature and outgrow the Easter bunny games, I believe that their focus will shift towards the religious aspect of the holiday and that they will appreciate it for what it truly represents.

Kisaakye Pearl Sharon, 22, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Uganda Christian University - Kampala campus — **Kisaakye Pearl Sharon, 22, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Uganda Christian University – Kampala campus**

Easter is a holiday season we look forward to every year and, usually, we celebrate it with sermons on Sundays. We are usually encouraged to live our lives the way Jesus Christ did. After church, people usually go home to spend time with their families, play games, eat food and sometimes we have movie nights where we watch movies like the Passion of Christ and other plays. Easter can be celebrated in whichever way one dims fit. I think the way one celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus should not affect the way another person celebrates, as long as they believe in the saving grace of our Lord and savior.

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UCU emerges best exhibitor at Uganda universities fair for sixth consecutive year

April 3, 2024News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU Mbale University CollegeEdwin Byarugaba

The UCU team celebrates the recognition as Best Exhibitor for the sixth year in a row

By Irene Best Nyapendi
For the sixth year in a row, Uganda Christian University (UCU) has emerged as the overall “Best Exhibitor” among both public and private universities in Uganda. This year’s fair, which is the first to be held outside Kampala, attracted more than 100 exhibitors. The exhibition, in its 14th year, took place from March 21-23 at the UCU Mbale University College.

The first runner-up was the University of Kisubi, followed by Mountains of the Moon University.

The award that UCU received as Best Exhibitor.

Held under the theme “Fostering Graduate Employability and Innovations,” the exhibition was organized by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), the body mandated to regulate and guide the establishment and management of higher education institutions as well as regulating the quality of higher education, equating qualifications and advising government on higher education matters.

Among the innovations at the UCU stall was the print version of the Ebenezer, an annual publication of stories for and about UCU. Last year’s Ebenezer was produced as a partnership between the UCU Public Relations office and the Uganda Partners, an NGO based in the USA.

Denis Omvia, the chief judge at the exhibition, outlined the criteria for selecting winners, emphasizing alignment of stalls with the exhibition’s theme, level of innovation, participation, knowledge, articulation, number of stalls and stall presentation.

Prof. Eli Katunguka Rwakishaya, the Chairperson of NCHE, commended UCU for its impeccable facilities and the support the university offered in hosting the exhibition.

“I thank UCU for the investment you put in to ensure that this event is successful and for hosting us in these fantastic gardens of yours,” Katunguka, also the Vice Chancellor of Kyambogo University in Uganda, said. “This is the first time I come to UCU and I’m impressed.”

He emphasized that NCHE’s current challenge is how to turn student innovations into viable enterprises, stressing the need for national mechanisms to support innovation.

“Our challenge is helping students scale their innovations into small and medium enterprises, enabling them to profit from their ideas and contribute to national development,” he said.

UCU computing students showcase 'Virtual Tourism' projects. — UCU computing students showcase ‘Virtual Tourism’ projects.

The Guest of Honor, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East Africa Community Affairs in Uganda’s Cabinet, lauded the decision to host the exhibition outside Kampala. She emphasized the need for financial support for research and innovation, acknowledging the role of government funding in fostering development.

“Having gone through the stalls, I have seen a lot of innovation but they need money to research and help them improve their products and protect their innovations,” Kadaga said.

Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, the Vice Chancellor of UCU, expressed pleasure at the opportunity to host the exhibition in Mbale.

“It is a joy for us to be able to host NCHE on our grounds,” Mushengyezi said. “I thank NCHE for giving us the honor to be the hosts of the first regional exhibition.”

Mushengyezi seized the opportunity to urge the government to extend research grants to private universities. He highlighted the need for equitable opportunities in research funding, regardless of institutional status. Currently, in Uganda, only public universities are considered for government research grants.

“We request the government to include private universities in the competition for research grants,” Mushengyezi said. “Because we have much to contribute to the country’s development.”

Children engage in Virtual Reality Adventures at the UCU computing stall

David Mugawe, the UCU Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, urged participants to ensure that the exhibition’s outcomes translate into tangible actions.

“We thank you NCHE for trusting us and we are glad that you are pleased with what we have been able to do,” Mugawe said.

The Executive Director of NCHE, Prof. Mary Okwakol, elaborated on the process and the rationale behind selecting UCU as the host venue.

“We sent out a team to different sites in the eastern part of the country, particularly in Mbale, and it happened that UCU was the best site chosen,” Okwakol said.

In line with Prof. Mushengyezi’s earlier appeal, Prof. Okwakol recommended that the government considers establishing a national research and innovation fund that is accessible to all — both public and privately-owned institutions — echoing the need for equitable access to resources.

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Eceru transforms sorrow into joy among rural women in Uganda

March 28, 2024News, Soroti, Students, UCU Alumni, Women EmpowermentEdwin Byarugaba

Micheal Eceru handing over a heifer to one of the women beneficiaries

By Kefa Senoga
The stories are many. But here’s one:

A Ugandan woman lost her husband a couple of years ago. The man was the family’s sole breadwinner. With the head of the family gone, the children turned to their mother to provide basic necessities. And she had none. Overburdened by the new responsibility, the woman suffered a mental toll with thoughts of suicide. Fortunately, that did not happen.

Michael Eceru, a social worker, believes that the woman is still alive because she shared the challenges she was going through and was able to get timely, mental health intervention.

“After the death of her husband, this woman lost hope,” said Eceru, who graduated from Uganda Christian University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Procurement and Logistics Management. “She did not even have land where to grow food crops for her family.”

He recalls that the woman shared her struggles with him, and that from the discussions they had, they would often come up with solutions.

The result is that the woman was able to save money and eventually bought land from which she now grows food crops to feed her family. In addition, she also earns some little income from farming that she uses to support her children’s education.

This testimony is among those that Eceru and his other colleagues at the Destiny Community Development Initiative (DECODI), a non-profit organization, share with women whose lives are in distress. Among the actions DECODI considers vital is restoring hope in the mind of anyone facing hardship, in order to turn their tales of sorrow into tales of joy. At DECODI, Eceru serves as the organization’s Programs Director.

He and his colleagues have made it their preoccupation to empower and transform the lives of widows, single mothers and other women groups in rural parts of northeastern Uganda. Part of the training involves empowering the women to participate in commercial farming.

Micheal Eceru interacting with some of the beneficiaries

And because illiteracy is a major hindrance to success in business, DECODI also empowers the women through training in adult literacy. Named Functional Adult Literacy, the program is one of DECODI’s current projects, where the beneficiary women are enrolled in an adult learning program, which is an opportunity for them to have a formal education.

One of the objectives of the program is for the beneficiaries to acquire numeracy skills, so that they can be able to keep records of accounts for their small income-generating activities. But the benefits of acquiring literacy have now spread beyond the limits that DECODI had earlier imagined.

“Now, when mothers take their children to hospital and the health practitioners write prescriptions for medicines, they are able to follow,” Eceru said. “Misinterpretation and misunderstanding of the prescription can cause over or under-dose.”

Though DECODI’s initiatives were initially intended to only benefit women, the organization has broadened its reach to involve men in their activities. Eceru observes that they also recognize the importance of creating a protective environment for their beneficiaries. As such, he says, they engage other stakeholders, such as family members of the beneficiaries, to ensure that assistance is provided as a collective family effort with everyone contributing to the cause.

He says that if support is only provided for the woman, it could contribute to family disintegration, especially in cases where the women have husbands, who could feel excluded, and, therefore, may not support ventures by their wives. Some men argue that when women get financial independence, they develop strong voices and are not afraid to speak up against anything they feel is not right. And that causes insecurity on the part of the men.

As a result, there are numerous examples where men have been included in the organization’s activities, and they have supported their wives to succeed, says Eceru, a husband and a father of three children.

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Students share thoughts on lent

March 25, 2024Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology, News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Business, UCU School of LawEdwin Byarugaba

Lent is a 40-day period of fasting for Christians, from Ash Wednesday to Easter. This year, Easter will be celebrated on March 31. Fasting is most recommended for healthy persons with elderly and very young children often exempt. The practice is frequently categorised as absolute (food and beverage), solid food (consuming only liquids) and partial (choosing one food to abstain).

At Uganda Christian University (UCU), selected students have chosen to fast. Some shared their experience with Pauline Luba.

Bitungi Martha, Bachelor of Laws, final year

To me, fasting is a period where one gets closer to God. It’s that time when you want to revive your spiritual life, you want to give everything to your God, you want to talk to Him and you also want to listen to Him. So, I do this with my friends and it’s nice to share this belief with them. The Lent period has strengthened our bond. We take it as a time of giving and a time of listening to God.

Rev. Mika Mugs Samuel, Bachelor of Divinity, first year.

The lent season gives one a humbling experience. And with that experience, it enables one to control their desires, to enable them develop a deep devotion and relationship with God. So, it is important for people to participate in activities of lent, such as fasting and self-sacrifice.

Egati Eric, Bachelor of Divinity, First year.

To me, fasting has been the norm ever since I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I fast during the lent period and ensure that I don’t do anything that could tempt me. On the health side of it, fasting has contributed to me reducing weight. The last time I weighed myself, I was told I was almost overweight, so fasting has helped keep my weight under control.

Alinda Catherine, Bachelor of Procurement and Logistics Management

The fasting period has drawn me closer to God and I’m learning to know more about myself. I think the Lent period should be taken seriously since it helps to draw people closer to Christ. It’s also an opportunity which makes people get to discover more about their spirituality and learn more about their faith.

Natukunda Joan, Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance, third year

During the fasting period, I have been able to do more and I have also learned how to talk to God better. The thing that I found challenging about fasting while on campus is that that is the time people who are not aware that you are fasting invite you for meals. Therefore, it calls for a high level of self-control.

Sanyu Rebecca Nina, Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance, third year

I have enjoyed this Lent season. I take breaks during my fast. The fasting is somewhat challenging, given that it is happening at a time when we have classes. However, the bottom line is that fasting can help one get closer to Christ. I would like to get closer to my Saviour. I think the university could improve on the quality of the Lent season for students by bringing up more related sessions during the community worship and sessions of prayer.

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UCU students, staff share perspectives on Lent

March 22, 2024Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology, Faculty of Public Health, Nursing and Midwifery, UCU School of Education, Uganda PartnersEdwin Byarugaba

By Bena Nekesa
As the campus of Uganda Christian University (UCU) prepared for the February 14 to March 28, 2024, period of Lent, students and staff alike acknowledged the spiritual and academic benefits that this season offers. Lent, a 40-day period preceding Easter, holds deep meaning for many within the university community.

Lent is observed in many Christian churches as a time to commemorate the last week of Jesus’ life, his suffering (passion) and his death through various observances and services of worship. For UCU, a Christian institution established by the Church of Uganda in 1997, Lent is a time designed to be honored with prayers, fasting, and self-denial, all in the pursuit of drawing closer to God.

During Lent, the Mukono campus of UCU reinforces reverence. For many individuals, Lent is not merely a tradition but a transformative journey. It is a time to purify the soul, deepen faith, and cultivate discipline both spiritually and academically.

In 2024, six UCU students and faculty shared their perspectives and insights on the impact of Lent on their lives. Perspectives below reflect spiritual devotion and academic dedication, embodying the holistic approach to education and faith at UCU.

Lekobwamu Mukyelule - Theology Student — Lekobwamu Mukyelule – Theology Student

Lent, for Lekobwamu, is a time of solemn reflection and discipline. He views it as an opportunity to purify the soul’s desires towards divine beauty and truth through prayer and fasting, mirroring Jesus’ own fast in the Wilderness. In his eyes, Lent embodies spiritual growth, sacrifice, and generosity, echoing Romans 12:1. (So then, my friends, because of God’s great mercy to us, I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.)

Dorothy Cherop - Theology Student — Dorothy Cherop – Theology Student

Dorothy finds Lent spiritually enriching, allowing her more time for Bible study, church services and even mission work. Academically, the period fosters concentration on coursework and group discussions, illustrating the balance between spiritual and academic pursuits.

Martin Kajubi - Writing and Study Skills Teacher — Martin Kajubi – Writing and Study Skills Teacher

Martin emphasizes Lent’s role in fostering spiritual discipline through fasting, drawing parallels with Isaiah 58:6. (The kind of fasting I want is this: Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed free,). He sees Lent as a dedicated period for self-reflection, repentance, and spiritual growth, leading to improved focus and discipline academically. The resilience cultivated during Lent aids in overcoming academic challenges, aligning with Proverbs 16:3.(Ask the LORD to bless your plans, and you will be successful in carrying them out.)

Harriet Asiimwe - Chaplain — Harriet Asiimwe – Chaplain

Harriet highlights Lent’s significance in drawing closer to God, citing Matthew 17:21.(How be it this kind goeth not out by prayer and fasting). She sees Lent as a time for spiritual battles, overcoming temptations and seeking renewal. Academically, Lent provides a platform for interdisciplinary exploration, stimulating critical thinking about faith and society.

Derrick Wepondi - Higher Education Certificate Student — Derrick Wepondi – Higher Education Certificate Student

Derrick explains Lent as a period of fasting, reflection, and spiritual preparation, drawing individuals closer to God and rejuvenating the spirit. Academically, Lent fosters self-discipline, aiding in gaining mastery over desires and habits, echoing the sentiments of 1 Corinthians 9:27.(I harden my body with blows and bring it under complete control, to keep myself from being disqualified after having called others to the contest.).

Ayikoru Scovia - Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics (BSHND) Student — Ayikoru Scovia – Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics (BSHND) Student

Scovia values Lent for its emphasis on self-reflection, repentance, and spiritual growth. She sees Lent as an opportunity to deepen faith through prayers and acts of charity, leading to improved study habits and reduced stress academically.

Whether reflections, wisdom or the experiences, Lent at UCU is designed to be a season of growth, renewal and unwavering faith. As students and faculty embrace this sacred time, they carry with them the hope of spiritual and academic excellence, echoing the sentiments of Matthew 6:21 – “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

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Solar lamp gifts transform lives of UCU students

March 20, 2024Faculty of Public Health, Nursing and Midwifery, News, Solar Power, Students, UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication, UCU School of LawEdwin Byarugaba

Rev. Brian Kluth demonstrating how the solar lamps work

By Irene Best Nyapendi
Whenever there is a power blackout in Mukono town, it affects the hostel where Diana Nakiyemba lives. As a result, the only option the fourth-year student of Bachelor of Laws at Uganda Christian University (UCU) had was traveling back to the main campus, so she can access electricity light to read her books.

Diana Nakiyemba poses with her solar lamp.

And she would not be alone. Nakiyemba, whose hostel of residence is hundreds of meters away from the university, says she often returned to the campus to get light for reading with a group of friends. There were days they would stay on campus up to midnight, reading. Some of such evenings were those the night before they wrote exams.

However, it is now safe to say such scenarios are a thing of the past for many at UCU. Nakiyemba and a group of other UCU community members are recent recipients of solar lamps donated to them by Brian Kluth, an American missionary. Kluth, a Christian speaker and writer, was at UCU as a guest preacher during the university’s Mission Week in mid-February.

The Mission Week is dedicated to spreading the message of Christ both on and off campus. Spearheaded by the UCU chaplaincy, the Week is intended to foster spiritual growth and community outreach through a series of impactful initiatives.

Rev. Brian Kluth with recipients of the solar lamps

One of the highlights of the Mission Week was the “Share the Light” event, where Kluth donated solar-powered lamps to more than 600 people who attended his talk. Kluth, known for his teachings on faith, delivered a sermon on the importance of generosity in Christian living.

Kluth said he was able to distribute the solar lamps after an unexpected encounter with a generous donor, who entrusted him with $40,000, which he was asked to use to bless others.

“Many people are hesitant to give because they fail to recognize the blessings that come from generosity,” Kluth said during his sermon.

The congregation during one of the services during the Mission Week

For the solar-powered lamp that Nakiyemba received, she is already reaping the benefits: Recently, she overcame her hostel power blackout to finish a class presentation. She turned to her newfound lifeline, the solar lamp, which she used as light to help her get her assignment ready.

“For as long as we have the lamps, I doubt we shall ever stay on campus till late in the night again,” she said.

Nathanael Simbilyabo, a final-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Journalism, Media and Communication at UCU, said he had never imagined the challenges that awaited him when he started staying in a private hostel outside the university. Simbilyabo had previously been living in a university hostel, which had access to a standby generator, to provide power whenever there was a blackout.

“Living without light is hard,” Simbilyabo said, adding: “This solar lamp has helped me, especially now that I’m writing my research dissertation.”

Some of the missioners who preached the gospel during mission week

Victoria Nantambi, a final-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Nursing Science at UCU, says she cherishes reading late in the night. And that cannot be supported by the unpredictable electricity power supply. So, whenever there was a power blackout, she would just abandon reading and go to bed. However, that is not happening anymore as she now takes advantage of the light from the solar-powered lamps whenever there is a blackout in her hostel.

The Rev. Henry Majwala, the Assistant Chaplain at UCU, explained that the intention of the Mission Week is to guide new students in their journey with Christ while providing opportunities for spiritual renewal and discipleship.

“Mission Week is about making Christ known, nurturing spiritual growth, and serving the community,” Majwala said.

Central to this semester’s theme of “Living by Faith,” derived from Habakkuk 2:4 were sermons on the role of faith in personal growth, financial stewardship and servant leadership.

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Ateme’s ‘professional’ heart beats for agriculture

March 18, 2024News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of Social SciencesEdwin Byarugaba

Julian Ateme believes that hers is a perfect story to debunk the myth that agriculture is not for people who have formal jobs

By Pauline Luba
In Primary Four, Julian Ateme was transferred from St. Joseph’s Nsambya Girls Primary School, Kampala, to Stella Maris Nsuube boarding school in Mukono district. The main reason for the transfer was her parents’ belief she would become more disciplined under a closer watch of school authorities.

In the midst of that lesson, Ateme discovered gardening. Within the school’s garden, pupils engaged in practical work twice a week – every Wednesday and Saturday. There, among plants, Ateme began a lifelong relationship with agriculture.

It is the lessons in cultivation of soil learned while at Nsuube that enabled Ateme, a Uganda Christian University (UCU) alum, to appreciate her father’s efforts in farming. He had vast lands with trees, fruits and crops. Ateme, also a wife, a mother of three and community services assistant with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, said her father often encouraged people in the community to grow passion fruits.

Whatever she learned at Nsuube and from her father’s farms, Ateme did not abandon. She started growing vegetables, as well as food crops like cassava and groundnuts, alongside rearing animals such as pigs, goats, cows, rabbits and ducks. Piggery is currently her highest source of income from the farm.

“I am known for having informal meetings with the people in the village, encouraging them to invest in agriculture,” Ateme says.

In Uganda, some people continue to perceive agriculture as business for the uneducated. It is perceptions like these that Ateme is out to change. A holder of two degrees — Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Finance of Kumi University and Bachelor of Social Work and Social Administration of UCU — Ateme believes that hers is a perfect story to debunk the myth that agriculture is not for people who have professional jobs.

She says the proceeds she gets from the farm have enabled her to pay her children’s school fees. Since the children know the source of their school fees, they are eager to visit the farms during holidays – something that leaves Ateme with a grin on her face because she knows she is slowly passing on the farming culture to her children.

Even in the community, the sweat that Ateme has broken to preach the gospel of farming is already bearing fruit. She said on many occasions, she has met community members who have encountered positive economic change on account of agriculture. One man had embraced agriculture and confessed to getting financial empowerment from the surplus of the food crops, as well as the fruits that he sold.

Even as she preaches the gospel of agriculture, Ateme knows the importance of achieving education. She is currently supporting the education of six children who are not part of her family. This outreach started when Ateme asked for house-help, and a girl younger than 10 years arrived. The girl said she had been forced to repeat Primary Three more than once because the her parents could not afford the functional fees.

Instead of employing her, which is illegal in Uganda for children under 18 years, Ateme put the girl back in school. That girl will graduate as a nurse this year.

“God has blessed me through this child,” said Ateme, who originally had hoped to pursue a career in law, but did not, due to lack of funds for the course.

In addition to farming, she credits World Vision, a non-governmental organization, for her experience, ability and desire to help children. At World Vision, Ateme worked as a child protection officer.

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Love for English landed Congolese national at UCU

March 15, 2024Congo, News, Students, UCU School of Social Sciences, WarEdwin Byarugaba

By Kefa Senoga
When Micheline Ugara Mazo arrived in Uganda more than six years ago, all she wanted was to pursue a university education. She did not care what course she studied. To get herself ready for education in Uganda, Ugara Mazo, a native of he Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), took lessons in English for more than eight months.

She chose to undergo English lessons because, apart from admiring the language, she did not know much about it. People in her home country speak French as their official language. It is also the language of instruction for students in schools.

“I loved English so much,” she said. “Sometimes I would get newspapers published in the English language and try to read them, but I would hardly understand anything. That experience stuck in my mind that I had to learn the language.”

She says she felt that after exclusively studying French for most of her life in the DRC, it was time for her to immerse herself in an English-speaking society.

However, before Ugara Mazo came to Uganda to pursue her studies, she had to endure a two-year stay at home because she and her father could not agree on where she would go. Her father, Chrysostom Nyelegodi Azangi, wanted her to enroll at Kinshasa University, in the DRC, while Ugara Mazo preferred Uganda. To demonstrate her resolve and in the midst of conflict in the Congo, she started a fish trading business for the two years she was at home.

For years, the DRC has experienced violence involving militant groups over territory and natural resources. In addition to mounting civilian deaths in eastern Congo, the UN declares that the number of internally displaced people has reached a record high of 6.9 million as fighting, rendering a growing part of the country unsafe for civilians.

Azangi eventually gave in and let his daughter have her wish to leave the conflict-ridden area.

Upon reaching Uganda Christian University (UCU) in 2017, Ugara Mazo met the Rev. Samson Maliisa, the assistant chaplain at the institution, who helped to guide her on the course to pursue.

“He gave me two options — either Bachelor of Governance and International Relations or Bachelor of Human Rights, Peace and Humanitarian Interventions. I chose the latter,” she recalls.

Ugara Mazo says her motivation to pursue a course in human rights came from the fact that she had witnessed many cases of human rights violations in the Congo.

“In some parts of my country, people are constantly running from conflict, fleeing from war-affected areas,” Ugara Mazo says.

The DDR has faced decades of war, largely between government forces and rebels, especially in the eastern part of the country.

It is for that reason that in 2021, even after completing her undergraduate course, Ugara Mazo chose to further her stay in Uganda by enrolling for a master’s course.

“There was the Covid-19 pandemic and war at the same time back at home, so I decided to stay and study further,” she says, explaining how her father tried to resist her continued stay to study in Uganda.

“My father said he didn’t have the money to pay my tuition, but I persisted, and enrolled for the master’s course, believing that God would make a way,” she said.

The gold trading business of Azangi in Ituri province, DRC, had suffered significant setbacks due to the war. Initially, the father faced financial constraints and, as a result, he was not sure he could fund her course, the Master of Research and Public Policy. However, he later secured the necessary funds, enabling him to pay her tuition. Ugara Mazo is now finalizing her master’s research.

Her topic is the “Effect of Armed Conflict on the Implementation of Gold Exploitation Policy in Ituri, DRC.” She says it was born out of the need to gain more knowledge on the cause of the war in eastern DR Congo so she could detail the effect the war has had on one of the economic activities in the region — gold mining.

Incidentally, Ugara Mazo has had one of her sisters, Iyekane Elizabeth Yamba, follow her to pursue an undergraduate course at UCU. Yamba recently graduated with a Bachelor of Procurement Logistics and Management and returned to DR Congo. She expects two other siblings, Miriam Eri Kurunze and Eri Tende Somson, to join UCU later this year.

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Scholarship recipients narrate struggles to keep in school

March 12, 2024Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology, News, Students, UCU Alumni, UCU School of BusinessEdwin Byarugaba

In June 2022, Uganda Christian University launched “For Just 10k,”a campaign intended to raise financial support for students who are facing economic distress. One of the organizations that responded to that call was the Ubuntu Youth Leadership Centre (UYLC). Dr. Sabrina Kitaka, the chairperson of the board at UYLC, noted that they wanted to go beyond just contributing to school fees to supporting students through mentorship. Irene Best Nyapendi talked to some students who are recent beneficiaries of the philanthropy of UYLC.

Carolyne Anyango Ohanga has always desired to be an Anglican priest. For that to happen, however, she must attain a bachelor’s degree in divinity, which she is currently pursuing at Uganda Christian University (UCU). She joined UCU after completing a diploma course at Uganda Martyrs Seminary, Namugongo, near Kampala.

Financial challenges warrant Anyango to consider it a miracle that she is still in school. Even just completing her diploma course at Uganda Martyrs Seminary was an amazing achievement.

Anyango, a Kenyan citizen, preferred to study in Uganda, where tuition is generally less compared to her country. While a student at Uganda Martyrs Seminary, Anyango one day packed her bags ready to abandon school, because she saw no hope in securing money for tuition.

However, she narrates that just before she left, she shared her financial challenges with the institution’s principal. And she was offered a scholarship.

Even for her first semester at UCU in 2022, Anyango faced challenges in paying the full tuition. She started studies after paying only sh200,000 ($51.22), which is about 13% of the tuition fees required for the semester.

As the examinations approached, Anyango presented her challenges to the office of the Dean of the Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology, who referred her to the UCU Financial Aid Office. The office secured partial tuition. To pay the balance, she had to mobilize her friends, who contributed towards her need. But still, that was not substantial to clear the tuition balance. Anyango eventually sat the exams without clearing full tuition, but only after securing permission from the university on the promise that she would pay the fees balance later.

For the semesters that followed, Anyango would receive donations from well-wishers, including financial assistance from the UCU Guild Fund.

As she started her final semester in the course, Anyango says she had lost hope in finding any funding for her tuition. However, she discovered a call for Ubuntu Youth Leadership Centre (UYLC) scholarships, to which she applied, and was successful.

Kogere, a final-year student of Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance at UCU, has been raised single-handedly by her mother, a primary school teacher.

For the times when her salary was inadequate, Kogere’s mother secured loans to pay her children’s fees. However, last year, Kogere’s mother was unable to meet the tuition obligations of her children since her loan dues had accumulated. Therefore, much of her salary went into servicing the loans and paying the debts she had accumulated. That unfortunate incident coincided with the withdrawal of Kogere’s sponsor who had been paying her tuition since Senior Five.

Kogere knew there was no money, but she still reported to school. The money she earned from her holiday job as a house-help was what she used for paying hostel dues at UCU. A scholarship from UYLC enabled Kogere to write her final-year examinations.

For Nalwadda, paying fees had never been a challenge for her family, until the unexpected demise of her father in 2022. Nalwadda, a final-year student of Bachelor of Procurement and Logistics Management at UCU, says she was left without the financial support she had always relied upon.

A relative who had promised to meet her tuition obligations could not pay the fees beyond one semester. As Nalwadda was trying to figure out where to get money, a friend brought her attention to a scholarship application call by UYLC. She applied.

“When I received a call that I had been selected for the scholarship, I shed tears of joy,” she said. “I was so surprised and when I shared the news with my mum, she was the happiest person.”

Rannie Ashaba – Business
The weight of the financial burden that Rannie Ashaba had to deal with at one point, she said, created anxiety, confusion and divided concentration in class. “Where will money come from?” was the question that consistently entered her mind. Despite all the challenges, Ashaba’s Grade Point Average has never been less than 4.3 out of 5.0.

“Early this semester, I was thinking about applying for a dead semester,” she said. However, that will not happen as she has been one of the lucky recipients of a scholarship courtesy of Ubuntu Youth Leadership Centre.

Ashaba, pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration and Accounting, said when she was five years old, her parents separated, leaving the burden of caring for her to her mother. However, tragedy struck in 2009 when her mother passed away.

In 2021, her maternal aunt took her in, pledging to cater for her academic needs, with some help from Ashaba’s grandmother. During the times they lacked, Ashaba applied for tuition top-ups and scholarships from the UCU Financial Aid office.

Last year, Ashaba’s aunt got a health complication which forced her to stop working and commence costly therapy. To date, the 27-year-old says, her aunt has not been able to pay her tuition since she is out of employment.

“I have faced obstacles to an extent that I learned to ignore some of them,” Ashaba said.

Drawing from personal experience, Ashaba urges other students facing financial challenges to share their troubles with people.

“A problem shared is a problem halved solved,” Ashaba said. “Also, keep searching for opportunities because there is always a second chance awaiting you, so don’t think about giving up.”

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