Category Archives: News

Uganda agriculture leader strives to help low-income farmers

October 16, 2019News#Operation Wealth Creation, #Robert GalusanjaKibirango, #ruraldevelopmemt #ruralfarming #mukono #buyikwe #cocoa #cocobeans #chocolate #fairtrade #servantleader #NAAD @NAAD, #UgandaChristianUniversity, farming, UCU, UgandaPatty Huston-Holm

Ugandan woman pulling cocoa bean pod from tree

By Michael Holm

Robert Galusanja Kibirango built his career from the ground up — as a farmer.

Growing up on his family’s farm, young Robert would get up early each morning before school to help his father with the chores. It was his father’s influence that enabled Robert to develop a sustained interest in farming.

It was an interest that later turned into his passion that he learned to leverage to earn enough money to pay for his education. This went from Bishop Secondary in Mukono to a Bachelors in Procurement and Logistics Management at Uganda Christian University (UCU), through completion his Masters in Business Administration (also from UCU) with a dissertation on corporate governance.

It also was during his time at UCU that he learned about servant leadership — which has become an integral part of his leadership philosophy.

Today, as Board of Directors chairperson of Uganda’s National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), Kibirango is still a farmer, with two sites — one in Mukono District and one in nearby Buyikwe District — where he keeps 3,000 laying hens, raises goats and cows and grows bananas, cassava and maize. It was his interest in farming and his passion for helping members of his agricultural community learn best practices that inspired him to take them to successful farms far and wide so they could visit, listen and ask questions. He also found other ways to provide training, even when it meant loading 12 farmers into his pickup truck for a five-hour drive to Masaka or conducting trainings in his own home.

His work did not go unnoticed. Residents became more open about expressing their needs. Once, Kibirango visited a woman who told him she needed a heifer. Another farmer proudly presented him with five liters of fresh milk in appreciation for his help.

The farmers Kibirango befriended all those years chose him as Mukono Subcounty Farmer Forum Chair, where he used his leadership skills to further promote agricultural best practices and subsequently lead the effort for the entire Mukono District. When NAADS was formed, Mr. Kibirango, as the leader of a large farmer’s group, was one of nine chosen from 347 candidates for a position on the fledgling Board of Directors. Later, when the board chair resigned, Kibirango was appointed chair, a position he has held for over four years.

Robert Galusanja Kibirango, chair, Uganda National Agricultural Advisory Services

Small-scale farming in Uganda often means resource scarcity, poor soil and arduous labor — in a word, hardship. Yields are not optimized and small-scale farmers too often receive low prices for their commodities. For Kibirango, that status quo is unacceptable.

NAADS, founded in 2001 by Uganda’s national government, works to change that by dedicating itself to helping these farmers throughout Uganda. One asset to this assistance is a partnership with Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), a collaborative effort started by President Yoweri Museveni and designed to improve standards of living for Ugandans — especially rural ones. OWC, with its many partners, seeks to raise living standards and improve on economic equity for those living below poverty thresholds by improving agricultural policies and practices, increasing productivity, modernizing technologies in local economies, upgrading rural infrastructure and stimulating economic development in local communities.

For example, this past July, the NAADS Monitoring & Evaluation Team conducted a field study to compare NAADS tissue cultures with local materials at a large-scale plantation in Kiryandongo District. The team demonstrated that banana plantlets, which are free of disease at planting, could be maintained through proper crop management.

By providing information and resources that farmers need, NAADS continues to work to improve agricultural performance in Uganda — from one percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2009 to 3.6 percent today. The help that NAADS includes seed and other materials for planting maize (corn), beans, tea, mangoes, pineapples and apples. The organization also works to improve communication among stakeholders, facilitate organizational development among farmer and community groups and to provide vital educational resources about agricultural best practices.

In addition to 800,000 hoes, NAADS recently procured 280 tractors from India with plans to begin distribution of the first 100 tractors through local farmer and community groups when they are ready and once operational guidelines are finalized. Currently, the average cost to till one acre is 100,000 Ugandan schillings (UGX), or about $27. Through advances in mechanization, Kibirango hopes to improve efficiencies and reduce labor costs, which in turn will boost the standard of living for many farmers and literally improve their lots.

NAADS also is working with Operation Wealth Creation to build processing and production capacity for Uganda. Kibirango believes that building this capacity will enable the country to improve employment and infrastructure outlooks and work to capture a vital part of the supply chain for its agricultural commodities. Uganda’s cocoa crop, for example, is exported in raw form for processing in other countries. For NAADS, cocoa is a priority commodity. During the 2018/19 fiscal year, NAADS distributed 3,910,986 cocoa seedlings. Kibirango sees no reason why Uganda cannot own this means of production.

There is much work to be done. Sugar cane sometimes threatens wetlands, forests are compromised for hidden grazing ,and shifting rainy seasons are adding hardship for subsistence farmers. Land use, crop rotation, proper fertilization, irrigation, processing, mechanization and solar dryers are all part of NAADS’ plan for adding value to Ugandan agriculture. Although it is not a regulatory agency, NAADS provides policy guidance and encouragement to ensure that best practices are maintained so that Ugandan farmers will be able to sow smart and reap in abundance.

“Poverty is in the minds of people,” insists Kibirango, who long ago asked himself what he could do to help and then leveraged his servant leadership skills to the cause. “Within me,” Kibirango says, “I’ve always liked to see people happy. When you make people happy, you’re happy.”

Kibirango tells his constituents that “being a farmer is not a curse.” He still loves to visit farmers throughout Uganda and personally conducts some of the on-site reviews five or six times every year. He asks them about their hopes and their ambitions. Kibirango knows he can relate to these farmers on their own level and they respond with friendship and trust.

And why wouldn’t they? He is one of them.

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To support UCU students, programs, equipment and facilities, 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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Late archbishop nephew accentuates UCU Sunday at St. Stephens Nsambya

October 11, 2019News#givetoAfrica, #Luwum, #StStephens, #UgandaChristianUniversity, God, UCUSunday, UgandaPatty Huston-Holm

By Anitah Mahoro
The House of Bishops from the Church of Uganda birthed the last Sunday of September as “UCU Sunday” three years ago to recognize Uganda Christian University (UCU) and its contribution to education and morality.

I was honored to journey and celebrate the event at St Stephen’s Nsambya, an Anglican Church in the heart of Nsambya Barracks in Kampala. Prior to my journey, Walter Apunyo, ordinand of the church diligently gave me directions. In the early hours of dawn, I set off from the southeastern Butabika area of Uganda’s capital city. As is common to Sunday mornings and unlike other mornings of the week in Kampala, the road was clear and streets deserted.

I arrived at the church at a quarter past 8 o’clock. As I left the car, a cool breeze engulfed me almost as simultaneously as the sounds from children around the church. Careful not to trample on them, I made my way to the church entrance and found it filled to its 700-seat capacity. Walter greeted me warmly and informed me that I was just in time for the second of five services in five different mother tongue languages of the day. This service was in English.

As Walter and I spoke, we made our way to a corner office where I was introduced to the church Vicar, Reverend James Luwum. Enthusiastic in nature, Rev. Luwum is the nephew to the late Janani Luwum who was the second African archbishop of the Church of Uganda; he held office between the years 1974 to 1977. The Late Janani Luwum is an instrumental figure in the modern African church due to his sacrifice, activism and relentless faith. He is celebrated with a landmark in his honour and a respected holiday that falls on the 16^th of February every year.

Once seated in the church, I observed the ceiling, high and triangular, was covered in silver iron sheets and supported by wooden planks. Following a Prayer of Purity, the choir sang a hymn.

Through a prayer, Walter referenced the Bible making it known that, “If we say we have no sin, we make him (Christ) a liar.” These words seem neglected in an age where we are quick to make ourselves the victims of the cruelties around us without assuming our lion’s share in kind. After this brief message, he asked us to greet our neighbours and welcome them to the service. I turned to my right and embraced a gentleman who embodied the idiom, “Full of the joys of spring.”

Walter informed the congregation that he is currently enrolled at UCU as a Master’s student pursuing a degree in Divinity. Auma Prisca, another ordinand, came to the pedestal and started the third part of the segment with a song, “Bamuyita yesu,” translated in English to mean “they call him Lord.”

The Vicar, Reverend Luwum, delivered the sermon. He started his message with the proclamation of thanksgiving. He expressed appreciation for the contributions made by the congregation through tithes and offerings and went on to talk about UCU, its partners and its hearty support to the community. The Reverend’s voice rang loud as he recounted testimonies from parents who were pleasantly surprised with the behaviour and grades of the children they had sent to UCU. One father, he recounted, had sold 47 heads of cattle in order to educate his child and was overwhelmed with tears when he saw his son leading community hour praise and worship at UCU.

Reverend Luwum concluded his doctrine by urging the congregation to always remember the Lord, support the University and align themselves with part of UCU’s philosophy of “A complete education for a Godly legacy.”

After sharing breakfast with Walter and Church leaders, I remembered a scripture from the Book of Philippians 4:6-7 that was delivered by Grace Aneno Mary, an ordinand at the Church. The words re-echoed, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” This verse aligned itself with the message in a hymn that was sung by Reverend Ester, Assistant Vicar in the Church. The message of the hymn is “We are Christians.” From this, we learn that in all things – good, bad, worldly or unworldly – we have a refuge as followers of Christ.

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To support Uganda Christian University’s UCU Sunday, go to www.ugandapartners.org and click on the “donate” button, or contact UCU Partners Executive Director, Mark Bartels, at mtbartels@gmail.com.

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Fort Portal Christians step up to give on UCU Sunday

October 3, 2019News#BishopBarhamUniversityCollege, #Christ Centred Education, #Donate to Uganda, #FortPortalChurch, #Give to Africa, #MedardRugyendo, UCUSundayPatty Huston-Holm

Child gives on UCU Sunday in Ft. Portal, Uganda

By Doreen Kajeru

Ghanaian diplomat and Nobel Peace Recipient Kofi Annan once said; “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress in every society, in every family.”

The Church of Uganda, through its child, Uganda Christian University (UCU), has embarked on a mission to provide a complete education for a complete person – an all-round education that will compliment someone’s life in society. Since its inception in 1997, UCU has sent out cultured and trained reverends, engineers, academics and journalists, among others.

Being a church-founded and private university, the institution does not receive support funds from the government; instead, the government demands taxes from the institution. With branches in Kampala, Arua, Mbale, Kabale and other constituent colleges, much support is needed to foster the university’s mission of equipping students for productive, holistic lives of Christian faith and service.

It was in this light that three years ago the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda introduced UCU Sunday which is marked by all Anglican churches every last Sunday of September. The funds collected on this day across go to the university to support its operations.

Church Official auctions off donated watermelon for support on UCU Sunday

In western Uganda, St. John’s Cathedral located at the peak of Fort Portal town, opens its doors to worshippers at 6:30 a.m. The church seats about 300 people every service. On September 29, 2019, it was the annual UCU Sunday. Many were happy that they had the opportunity to support an institution birthed by their Church. They gave of their money and even fruits like watermelon.

Florence Nyakato was among those who said she is pleased to give to God. For the UCU Sunday, Nyakato, a mother, said she was more than privileged to be part of those supporting UCU. She said the university is great capital to the advancement of the nation.

Reverend Isaac Kaguma, a theology graduate of Balya Constituent College, UCU, said UCU Sunday was a good idea because the church owns the institution and should therefore uphold it proudly. He beseeched the rest of the churches to join in supporting the excellent education that UCU gives.

UCU’s representative to the church, Rev. Dr. Medard Rugyendo, the principal of Bishop Barham University College, Kabale (UCU), thanked the church for the continued effort invested in sustaining the university.

“We are a private university and we need your backing. As a contribution, you have marketed, given and prayed for us. Thank you for this effort and continue doing so because this university is for our church and province,” Rugyendo said.

As he took the church through the journey of his salvation in 1976, to the attainment of his doctorate, Rugyendo encouraged the congregation to always consider education so that they are better able to serve God.

The Bishop of the diocese of Ruwenzori, Rt. Rev. Reuben Kisembo, said the UCU Sunday has been owned in the diocese. He said in support of the day, circulars were sent out to all the Anglican churches for their contribution to the work that UCU is doing in the country.

“The church is happy to support UCU’s mission. I know the people gave and we await the collection. We shall always support this cause for the advancement of the nation,” he said.

The Sunday service also was dedicated to children. Little Kitinisa, who cautioned the church to live their lives with Jesus as the center, delivered much of the sermon message. “Let us love and seek Jesus. It is only then that we shall live peacefully,” Kitinisa said, amidst ululations from the congregation.

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For Americans and others outside of Uganda wishing to contribute on behalf of UCU Sunday, go to https://www.ugandapartners.org/donate/ and indicate “UCU Sunday” in the special instructions/comment box that is part of the on-line form, or send a check in the mail (Uganda Partners, P.O. Box 114, Sewickley, Pa. 15143) payable to UCU Partners with instructions for the UCU Sunday designation.

Flour, eggs, bananas part of UCU Sunday support at Gulu Church

September 30, 2019News#Christ Centred Education, #Donate to Uganda, #Give to Africa, #GuluChurch, UCUSundayPatty Huston-Holm

UCU Master of Divinity student, Caroline Aber, accepts a tray of eggs as a donation during UCU Sunday at Christ Church

By Douglas Olum

In the heart of Gulu town, about 360 kilometers (224 miles) north of Uganda’s Capital, Kampala, stands Christ Church, an Anglican Church under Christ Church Parish in Gulu Municipality. Every Sunday, the quadrangular-shaped, brick-and-mortar-walled, flappy-winged and over 2,000-seater, blue and cream painted Church runs three services. With the first starting as early as 6:30 a.m., the services are conducted in Acholi (the dominant language in the area), English and Acholi again, respectively.

Some food items given to the Church in Gulu with Rev. Canon William Matuwa Ezekiah, at right

Key among the activities during the services, is a collection to support the clergy. Christians donate foods, household materials as well as cash to support the priests and their families.

But on Sunday, September 29, this northern Uganda Church joined other churches across the country for the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Sunday, Christ Church sacrificed its session for collecting funds and materials for supporting their clergy to be used for collection of funds to support the university. In addition to money, among the gifts were ripe bananas, bar soap, powder soap, sugar, maize flour, rubber floor dryer, hard brush and trays of eggs.

The UCU Sunday is an annual day declared by the House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Uganda in 2017 to raise awareness about the university among Christians in all Anglican Churches in Uganda and collect funds to support its operations and training of clergy.

Unlike in other churches where the collections are not immediately disclosed to the congregation, Christ Church announced its collections for the UCU Sunday before the end of each service with a total after the third service.

About 1.1 million Ugandan shillings ($300) were collected through the three services, with the first service raising 510,000 UGX, the second raising 405,100 UGX, and the third 178,700 UGX.

Rev. Godfrey Loum, the Deacon of Christ Church, said it is important that Christians support UCU because some of the funds are used to train clergymen and women like him and his colleagues.

While preaching during the services, Rev. Canon William Matuwa Ezekiah, told the Christians that while there are many universities in the country, UCU desires to train and equip students with integrity and other values that enable them positively impact both on their communities and the country.

One example of UCU graduate honesty provided to the Gulu church congregation involved a West Nile region organization that was corrupted through money-skimming by 15 graduates of other universities. When these 15 were replaced by UCU alumni, the organization regained strength and thrived. The main message delivered was: In an economically poor country suffocating from greed and corruption like Uganda, integrity and servanthood that form part of the UCU core values are key to development.

This year’s UCU Sunday services were conducted under the theme: Higher education for a Godly legacy.

David Mukiibi, the head of Ushery at Christ Church, said as a Christian, he feels proud to support the university because he knows that his money will be going towards the continuity of the Church. Mukiibi however, encouraged the university to put the collection to good use and also give accountability for that use to the contributors.

“UCU Sunday is a very good idea that will receive even more support from Christians if the university accounts for how our collections are used,” he said. “They also need to write a letter of appreciation to the Christians, not the church administration, when they receive the money. That will motivate people to give more.”

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For Americans and others outside of Uganda wishing to contribute for UCU Sunday, go to

https://www.ugandapartners.org/donate/ and indicate “UCU Sunday” in the special instructions/comment box that is part of the on-line form, or send a check in the mail (Uganda Partners, P.O. Box 114, Sewickley, Pa. 15143) payable to UCU Partners with instructions for the UCU Sunday designation.

Uganda female first at All Saints Cathedral: ‘God’s Calling’

September 24, 2019Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology, NewsAll Saints Cathedral, Church of Uganda, God, Rebecca Nyegenye, Uganda Christian UniversityPatty Huston-Holm

Rev. Rebecca Nyegenye (second from left) is surrounded by UCU faculty women at a sendoff to her new position with All Saints Cathedral.

NOTE: Earlier this year, the All Saints’ Cathedral, Kampala, installed the Very Rev. Canon Dr. Rebecca Nyegenye as its provost, making her the first woman to occupy the office in Uganda. Before assuming the office, she served as a chaplain at Uganda Christian University (UCU) for nearly 20 years. The UCU student newspaper, The Standard, recently published an interview by one of its reporters, Benezeri Wanjala Chibita. This interview, shared with UCU Partners, is edited and condensed.

What role do you think God has put you in this position to play?
Some of the reasons are yet to be unveiled. There is a job description. (These include) serving as chief administrator of the cathedral, chief financial controller, being in charge of the ministries and the priests. But there is this uniqueness of a role that God himself knows. So I’m still praying and asking God for clear direction of what He wants. But as for now, my desire is that, as a Church in the city, how can we position ourselves to do mission? That’s the cry of my heart. To make sure that the cathedral thrives in being a missionary church so that we can reach out to the ends of the city, and eventually the country with the gospel.

How did your father (a priest) influence your desire to dedicate your life to Christ?
My father was consistent, the same today and tomorrow, in his lifestyle. He also was a peacemaker. He loved God with all his heart. God was his consultant. He was a loving father, loving us equally. I wanted to be like him. He died two years ago but when I look around (at other people), I don’t see any comparison with daddy.

The Very Rev. Canon Dr. Rebecca Nyegenye

What are some of your fondest childhood memories?
We grew up around the church because of daddy and we would run around, cleaning the church and beating the drums on Christmas. We also did business, carrying sugarcane from down in the river, selling pancakes and groundnuts at school. I didn’t even calculate profits. The needs weren’t so great. If you have a blanket, you don’t even think of a bedsheet.

What point did you decide you’d be a priest?
I initially wanted to be a priest. It wasn’t an afterthought. Others discouraged me saying I can’t be a lady that’s a priest. I decided at nine, I told my dad, and he prayed for me. He had his fears but, it was God’s calling on my life. I’ve never regretted it.

At what point did you go to school to train to become a priest?
I went after Secondary 4. My father didn’t have money so he educated all seven of us up to S4. He promised each of us a basic education, and he delivered. My two followers and I weren’t able to go to high school immediately, but eventually we went. I went to Bishop Usher Wilson, Buwalasi, in Mbale. Most Bishops went there. It’s now been merged with UCU Mbale Campus.

You now have a PhD. Who inspired you to venture into higher academics?
Dr. Olivia Banja. She’s the director of teaching and learning at UCU. We met at a clergy meeting for women, at Makerere. The second time, we were at UCU, and I was serving at Busia Parish. She said that I should go for further studies. I left the parish, and she guided me through the steps I needed to get into theological education. I joined UCU. I got a diploma. After that, I realized I could do better. So, I started a Bachelor of Divinity program. From then on I was encouraged to go further by Bishop Eliphaz Maari, Canon Lusaniya Kasamba, and Dr. Edward Kalengyo. At UCU, I worked under Dr. John Senyonyi (now the Vice Chancellor),and he persuaded me to do a full masters degree. Ofcourse, I can’t forget Prof. Stephen Noll, the former vice-chancellor of UCU. He wrote and gave me recommendations for scholarships, and I was able to get them.

How did you get the masters scholarship?
God has been faithful. There was a scholarship named after Bishop Stanway at Trinity School for Ministry. Prof. Noll worked through all the paperwork. I went to the USA and studied for one year, and then I returned to UCU where I wrote my dissertation and graduated. UCU gave me a partial scholarship for my PhD. I received another partial scholarship from World Council of Churches. So for both my Masters and PhD,I didn’t struggle financially. I graduated with my masters in 2006 and started on my doctoral degree in 2009.

What do you miss about UCU?
I miss my life with students. It was so interesting. I had really gotten used to my motherly role. Seeing students walk in, walking the talk with the students. Then seeing them graduate with a changed character and moral stability. But also, being there for 18 years, UCU had become my family. I also miss the women fellowships.

What is the biggest setback that you encountered in your life?
I would mention two. One is someone I worked with when I had just entered ministry. My life was really tested. I didn’t know you could work with someone that would make life so difficult. You know there are times when someone…will frustrate you, even make allegations in public. I didn’t know that could happen in the church. What helped me get through it was to remember that I wasn’t called by man but by God. I eventually decided to release and forgive him. But that was after some time of prayer and telling God that I want to let this out of my heart. And indeed I did, I have no grudge. When we meet today, we greet.

How did you escape from this situation?
Actually when it was so tense, God gave me a breakthrough by opening a door for me to go and study. I learnt that when you are faithful to God, He will always provide a way of escape. He will not leave the situation to burn you for long. Then, I was sick from July 2014 to January 2015; I was at UCU. I was very sick. I knew one thing: If I am going to live, the Lord will heal me. If I die, I’ll be with God in eternity. So that kept me going. Every day I was alive was God’s grace. I was so weak and in so much pain. The UCU community prayed, but it seemed like God wasn’t answering fast enough. At the right moment, God healed me.

You said that you were ready to join God in eternity, if it was His will?
Certainly, I couldn’t talk about the sort of death. But my husband being a medical person, trusted that one day my pain would pass. He (took) time off from his work and moved with me to every doctor he thought would help me. He paid for me to go to Nairobi hospital where I was for two weeks, and he was by my side. The Hospital did everything they could. They put me on medication for diabetes and hypertension, because they thought that’s what I had. When God healed me, I was healed completely. There were times when the whole family was in tears because they didn’t know what to do or what the future held.

How did your faith sustain you?
My faith never wavered because I was in it. There was no way I could run from it. I was on medication. I looked to God. I spent time and prayed. I didn’t want to miss both. I didn’t want to miss life here, and also in heaven, which is eternal. I kept my hopes high. Sometimes I was overwhelmed by pain. I’d ask God why He isn’t healing me. But in all, He was gracious.

Did those seven months change your outlook on life?
I learnt to trust God more. I stopped taking things for granted. My zeal to serve the Lord increased. I lost all the fear I had. I cannot be easily threatened right now. I used to trust and put hope in people. But after getting through that it was a retreat for me to think about God in a fresh way. Right now when I preach, I preach like tomorrow I’m going. My level of ministry went higher. I’m now more focused, more committed to God and more prayerful.

How did people disappointment you during this trying time?
There are people that I got to know better for who they are. There are those I had to be careful about after. It was a learning experience for me and there is something that God wanted to teach me. And there is a level God wanted me to rise to. Actually, shortly after that, I became a Canon. There are things that God takes you through for a reason.

What are your most important values?
First: Faithfulness to God. Secondly, I love people. Thirdly: Passion for the gospel.

What advice would you give young women who want to go into ministry?
Getting into ministry is a calling. If someone is genuinely sure that God is speaking to them, they should join. Someone coming to this ministry should not think about the high position. They should focus on serving the Lord. That, to me, is very pertinent. When I joined ministry, I started out in the rural areas. I never thought I’d work in town. I never prayed for an office. But I have waited on the Lord and I have served Him faithfully, that one I testify. And whenever I feel I’m going astray, I run back to the Lord. He is my only refuge. And even if you told me to compromise this position today, I’d be glad to walk out. Be willing to serve the Lord anywhere.

What will you remember about outgoing Archbishop Stanley Ntagali?
(I learned) from the Archbishop that when you work together in church, you are teammates. And I always tell people, that much as he is leaving, we must remain a team. As the head of the team and as a team player, he has been able to understand people’s gifting and seasons. He acts when he is supposed to, of course with God’s guidance. He’s been close to us as individuals. He has been a father and a parent.

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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 mtbartels@gmail.com.

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Reaching out to alleviate Uganda corn dust breathing problems

September 18, 2019Newsasthma, business, community outreach, corn, human resources, Office of Prime Minister, pulmonary, Uganda Christian UniversityPatty Huston-Holm

A Mukono maize factory worker, covered in white dust, sorts through ears of corn.(UCU Partners photo)

By Patty Huston-Holm

Beyond clothing and electronic shops, banks and markets and across from a Kaptura Road taxi park – just a 15-minute walk or 3-minute boda ride from the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono main gate – men and women are manufacturing maize products. White dust from harvesting, drying, handling, processing and storing grain fills the air, covering worker hands and faces and entering their lungs. Often, the simple act of breathing is a struggle.

These Mukono milling employees are among one billion people worldwide with respiratory conditions. According to the World Health Organization (February 2019), diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and pulmonary hypertension are more common in low-income countries like Uganda. When people need money for basic necessities and to keep a factory afloat, they focus less on health awareness and workplace precautions – to the detriment of their personal well-being. The dust they inhale contains bacteria, fungal spores, insects and insect debris and pesticide residue.

Annet Musinguzi, assistant commissioner of human resources in the Uganda Office of the Prime Minister, demonstrates a health and safety procedure with a Uganda Christian University student during a Mukono community outreach project.

UCU’s Business and Administration programs, namely staff and students in human resources studies, embraced the issue in the first of annual planned community outreaches in June of 2019. In addition to outreach to choose and research the issue, a day of local maize-flour, heath and safety activities were conducted to take UCU student learning and faculty teaching deeper into the surrounding community.

“We saw people working in the community mills and not protecting themselves,” said David Kibuuka, a Business and Administration lecturer who coordinated the effort. “They weren’t covering their noses and didn’t know why they should.”

The UCU Business and Administration faculty members, in collaboration with local, municipal and district council and national officials, determined they wanted to do a better job with sharing university knowledge for improvement of the community around them and to reinforce Christian principles of servanthood. The milling engagement is one example of how the department should better “penetrate our potential,” Kibuuka said.

What took place in June of 2019 was this:

Relevance – That nearly every Ugandan household uses maize flour made this focus particularly relevant. A USAID report in April 2018 estimated that 92 percent of Ugandan families consume maize four with a per person consumption of 22 kg (48.5 pounds) of maize per year. A doughy posho, which comes from a maize flour product, is an inexpensive and frequent food, especially in schools.

Collaboration – Municipal and district council and national officials were part of the planning and reinforced the country’s regulations as well as concern for worker health and safety. These included Mukono Mayor George Fred Kagimu; Andrew Senyonga, chair of Mukono District Council; Annet Musinguzi, assistant commissioner of human resources in the Office of the Prime Minister of Uganda; and Douglas Nkonge, Principal Inspector General for Safety and Health Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.

Engagement – Nearly 300 UCU students and staff, officials and factory employees participated in skits and conversation about life-altering impacts of pulmonary conditions and solutions for improved heath in the mills.

“We covered laws, risks and remedies,” said Kibuuka, who assembled a 20-page report with happenings, recommendations and photos. “It was the first of what we are calling our larger outreach.”

He noted that the Business and Administration faculty has been engaged in “entrepreneurship fairs” for the past few years. These involve student development of products and services in such areas as cleaning products, jam, beauty products and paper bags.

“This outreach went deeper to embrace a community problem and being part of the solution,” he said. “In addition to reaching out to our local residents, our students benefit from seeing how theory is put into practice in a humanitarian way.”

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

Karamoja food poisoning: Wake-up call for Christian values in relief service

April 15, 2019NewsFood shortage, Karamoja, Lord’s Resistence Army, Poverty, Uganda Christian UniversityPatty Huston-Holm

Douglas Alum, far right, at age 12 and shortly after his release from the Lord’s Resistance Army and another returnee, far left. Others pictured are Douglas’ family. All consumed World Food Program supplements in the 1990s. — Douglas Olum, far right, at age 12 and shortly after his release from the Lord’s Resistance Army and another returnee, far left. Others pictured are Douglas’ family. All consumed World Food Program supplements in the 1990s.

By Douglas Olum

At the peak of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels’ insurgency in Northern Uganda in the 1990s, the World Food Programme (WFP) distributed a food supplement called BP-100 biscuits in what were known as the Internally Displaced People’s camps.

As a child then in that area, I ate some of the biscuits and exchanged some for books or pens with my school colleagues. It was a high-energy, ready-to-use, therapeutic food that did, as I recall, ease our hunger. Because we had no lunch at school and our parents would spend their days looking for what to cook, we had biscuits for lunch while being well aware that when we returned home at the end of the day, we would hardly find anything to bite.

Roughly two decades later, similar supplements are being provided in the Karamoja districts of Kaabong, Kotido, Abim, Moroto, Napak, Nakapiripirit and Amudat in the Eastern and Northeastern parts of Uganda. The nutritional need there today is a war of a different type.

The bore holes in these seven districts cannot yield water and the valley dams built for their livestock dry down for eight of 12 months a year. From September through April, the scorching sun cracks the clay soil, the trees are stripped bare of their leaves and the stunted grasses are wilted. Whirlwinds form dust storms sweep through the villages, carrying away nearly anything that stand in their way.

The districts that form the region cover approximately 27,000 square kilometers (10,400 square miles) of an arid and bush expanse, and is home to at least 1.2 million people (Uganda Investment Authority, 2016) who are often forgotten.

A 2011 survey by the Uganda Department of Geological Survey and Mines at the Ministry of Energy revealed that Karamoja is rich in minerals such as gold, limestone, uranium, marble, graphite, gypsum, iron, wolfram, nickel, copper, cobalt, lithium and tin. Despite the hard work and long hours by local men, however, they can hardly afford to provide for their families.

Additionally, such adverse climatic conditions affect food production. People and their animals migrate to find food. But hunger strikes, costing many lives of both livestock and humans, especially among children and elderly who cannot trek long distances.

In an attempt to combat such mortality, the United Nations, through the WFP, has since the 1960s, just like God did for the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16:13-17), provided food relief to the community. However, in 2011, the relief agency brought a new policy that only provided for food distributions to children. Alas, when men, women and children are hungry, food is consumed by all.

Unfortunately in early March, the agency found itself in an unforeseen crises when the very relief it intended caused sickness. At least four people died and more than 220 others were admitted to various hospitals in the districts of Napak and Amudat following the consumption of a food supplement, ‘Super Serial’ that was distributed. People who consumed the food supplement, purportedly meant for expectant mothers and malnourished children, vomited and developed general body pains and weaknesses, mental illness, high fever and headache.

In April, a joint investigation by the Government of Uganda and WFP into the causes of the deaths and illnesses was taking place. The food samples, as well as blood and other extracts from the sick and the dead were taken to laboratories in Mombasa (Kenya) and South Africa for specialized analyses. At the same time, the UN agency that has supplied food to needy Ugandans for decades, is researching its supplement expiration dates and overall policies for management of food reserves.

As the supply has been halted and the beneficiaries have been asked to return whatever was not yet consumed, the incident reminds both the organization and its workers of the need for education and Christian values in exercising duties and caring for the less fortunate. That’s part of the responsibility of education and being good stewards of Christianity.

As a student at Uganda Christian University, I recall how faith was integrated into all our learning. Thinking back on those days, I can’t help but wonder not only about the lack of attentiveness to the details of expiration dates for food provided to Karamoja, but also about the attentiveness to a population of people that is every bit as equal in God’s eyes.

For these 1.2 million of Uganda’s 42.8 million people, what happened in March of this year is an efficiency, effectiveness and Christian values wake-up call.

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For more of these stories and experiences, visit https://www.ugandapartners.org. If you would like to assist a current student or otherwise support the university, contact Mark Bartels, Executive Director, UCU Partners, at m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org or go to https://www.ugandapartners.org/donate/

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UCU International Connections

February 24, 2019NewsChina, Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, Germany, International Students, Uganda Christian University, Uganda Partners, United StatesPatty Huston-Holm

Linda Uhligo, a UCUstudent from Germany, with a UCU Sunday School child. (UCU Partners photo)

By Twesiime Jordan McGurran

Universities and colleges around the world are seeking to form partnerships, collaborations, and connections with other educational institutions, governments, civil society organizations, churches, and various types of organizations. These partnerships are designed to enhance the work within the universities – in their molding of students, research potential, service to the larger society, financial or technological growth, and the building of goodwill among communities from different regions of the world.

Uganda Christian University (UCU) has been working on building such connections since the University’s formal inception in 1997.

The longest in existence and widest impacting in terms of student numbers outside the continent of Africa is the Uganda Studies Program (USP), a study abroad program of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). This USA-based Christian higher education consortium is composed of more than 180 institutions around the world, including UCU. Twice a year – in the Advent (September) and Easter (January) semesters – the UCU community welcomes about 25-30 students from North America. Mark Bartels, Uganda Christian University Partners executive director, and his wife, Abby, started USP about 15 years ago. In that time, USP has skillfully hosted over 800 students at UCU.

While there are several clusters of international students who come from other parts of Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan and Kenya, USP is the largest contingent of students who come to UCU from outside the African continent.

Beyond USP, UCU also has several current and ongoing international collaborations between UCU and other schools, governments, or civil society organizations. These include but are not limited to:

The Faculty of Journalism, Media, and Mass Communications,between 2014 and 2018, in partnership with the Norwegian Teacher Academy (NLA) and the University of Kwazulu-Natal of South Africa under the Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research (NORHED),has provided faculty opportunities for postgraduate studies, including MA and PhD studies, in communication-related courses in Norway. Additionally, in the past, occasionally NLA undergraduates have come to study at UCU.
The child-focused international NGO, Compassion International, regularly has a contingent of students at UCU who are have been supported through their university studies by their Compassion sponsors. They have their own association and fellowship on campus.
The Law Faculty maintains several relationships with law schools outside of the country. Among these are: 1) partnership with the University of Cincinnati (Ohio) College of Law, where a few UCU graduates have gone for postgraduate studies and from which some Cincinnati visits have occurred at UCU: and 2) Regent University (Virginia)’s Law School collaboration with UCU for over five years in various capacities that include hosting some short-term study trips and internships for Regent students in Uganda.
UCU’s Social Work and Social Administration Department has collaborated for several years with the Social Work department at Radford University in Virginia related to social work educational experiences and research in Uganda.
Trinity International University, Illinois, has sent students (usually during May) for “Global Experience” trips to see Uganda and engage with UCU students.
Internationale Hochschule Liebenzell, a German theological college, is a new partnership with students coming from Germany to study at UCU for at least a semester.(Later this week, UCU Partners will post a separate story on one of these students.)
Bethel University (Minnesota) has a 14-year (since 2005), bilateral partnership with the Nursing Department that has borne much fruit for UCU – including a degree completion and masters program in nursing. There have been eight groups of UCU students who have spent 6-10 weeks at Bethel, while some students from Bethel also have come to learn at UCU.
Recently, UCU has been in talks with Tsinghua University, a well-ranked post-secondary institution in Beijing, China, to formalize a partnership related to research, educational exchange, and technological development.

Beyond these international connections, UCU students can be found pursuing further studies, completing internships, or employed in places such as the UK, Belgium, India, China, and the United States.

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COMING THURSDAY (February 28, 2019)…The UCU Partners blog will publish an interview with one of its international students.

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For more information about how you can support Uganda Christian University to continue to form these international partnerships and/or to become a partner, please contact Mark Bartels, UCU Partners executive director, at mtbartels@gmail.com. Also, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

UCU and Reveal Light Ministry combine efforts to increase refugee awareness

November 28, 2018NewsRefugees, Reveal Light Ministry, Uganda Christian University, UgandaPartnersPatty Huston-Holm

Juan Zamba at UCU fundraiser (UCU Partners photo)

By Brendah Ndagire

Reveal Light Ministry, a Christian organization that works with refugee children, held a concert at Uganda Christian University (UCU) to increase awareness for the education, health care, land, housing and employment struggles for those forced to flee their homelands. This year alone Uganda has received more than one million refugees mainly from conflicted regions of South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Somalia, and Eritrea.

The November 24 event organizers, Emmanuel Buyinza, the East African Director at Reveal Light Ministry, and UCU lecturer Mary Chowenhill, also sought to engage UCU students who were once refugees themselves and to raise funds to ease the poverty status of refugee children. Despite government assistance, some children go to bed hungry.

The organization has between 500 and 600 children in Hope Village Mubende district, according to Buyinza. In addition to basic necessities such as food, the Reveal Light Ministry gives “them hope through the word of God,” he said.

Buyinza and his team work with local churches to support refugee children in Uganda and through out East Africa. They have Bible studies, character development (for teenagers), and microcredit programs. Through the church’s support, they were able to get access to approximately 20 acres of land in Mubende where they plan to construct an educational hub for refugees. Currently, more than 500 refugee children in Mubende district are reportedly studying under a tree. They lack permanent school structures for primary grades. With the construction of the education hub for refugees, Reveal Light Ministries hopes to have a primary and secondary school, vocational training services and a health center.

“This is a christian university that needs to champion human rights, including the rights of refugee children to have access to education” said Juan Emmanuela Zamba, a first-year student of Human Rights Peace and Humanitarian Intervention. Even though Juan was raised in Uganda, she identifies with the experiences of refugees.

“My own country of origin, South Sudan, has had many conflicts for many years,” she said. “Uganda has been very good to my people and attending this event is an opportunity for me to give back to my home country, starting from here in Uganda.” UCU Creates opportunities such as these to allow its student to transform their communities from Mukono to Mubende.

For Aceduna Specioza Dorothy, a third-year law student, and a policy analyst at UCU’s Africa Policy Center, this event was a great reminder of her passion for children’s rights in Uganda. Life hasn’t been very kind to Aceduna. Her family was internally displaced during the two decade civil war led by the Lord’s Resistance Army in northern Uganda.

“Child labor is widely common in Uganda,” she said. “Since this event is about refugee children, I wanted to be here for them. Uganda needs lawyers who love to serve our society. And I intend to be that pro-bono type of a lawyer for children.”

She continued: “When I heard about the refugee event, I wanted to pray with Reveal Light Ministry and support them in anyway I can because I identify with their story in many ways, including studying under the tree and not having a place we could call home.”

Buyinza mentioned that additional collaboration will occur among UCU, Makerere University and Ndejje University, including with a sports marathon that would take place towards the end of January. All of these events are geared towards raising funds for refugees. He is hoping that a telecommunication company might sponsor these marathons to take place every year.

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Contributions to support UgandaPartners and UCU students, including those with refugee connections, can be made at https://www.ugandapartners.org/donate/ or through Mark Bartels, UCU Partners USA Executive Director at Uganda Christian University Partners, P.O. Box 114, Sewickley, PA 15143 USA; 214-343-6422; mtbartels@gmail.com

From Uganda to Guatemala, God’s love is universal

November 21, 2018NewsDennis Wandera, Guatemala, Impact Ministries, Iowa, Missions, Uganda Christian UniversityPatty Huston-Holm

(Note: The author of this story is a 2011 graduate of Uganda Christian University. For the past two years, he has worked as a business and community relations specialist for Child Care Resource and Referral of Southeast Iowa, USA. He lobbies businesses and state policy makers to create policies that support families and help employees access quality, affordable childcare.)

By Dennis Wandera

It certainly wasn’t the first mission trip I had taken. And, growing up in underdeveloped Uganda, I certainly never imagined myself going on a mission trip to another Third World country – Guatemala, Central America.

When I was a journalism student at Uganda Christian University (UCU) nearly a decade ago, I developed the urge to seize any opportunity to live my faith through service to God and people. Thankfully the campus had many fellowships and a robust spiritual program offered by the Chaplaincy. Throughout my student time, I led four separate student-mission trips to eastern, northern and southwestern Uganda under the Compassion Leadership Development Program.

Many of us (students) had never interfaced with the brokenness, injustices, vulnerability and need for God that hovered among people living in our own country. These experiences shaped our perspectives and desire to be part of the long-term solutions to the challenges that undermine our country. But it also – at least for me, was a formative moment to find my place in God’s global plan through missions in and outside my own culture. I was certainly not aspiring to change the world, but aspired to do something – however little – and to watch the world change me.

Cross-cultural ministry

When an opportunity was presented through my church, Harvest Bible Chapel (Davenport, Iowa), to partner with Impact Ministries, Guatemala for a short-term mission trip of 16 people on October 13-21, I knew God was sending me. This was a country and culture that I knew nothing about. I was prepared to have my mind, opinions and perspectives altered. I was determined to learn and grow through every experience – not to revolutionize the place I was going to.

Cross-cultural ministry experiences can be, and usually are, ones that change us in deep ways. From her fragile past history after Spain colonialists, to the current political establishment, culture, worship, hospitality and food – Guatemala mirrors Uganda in some contexts. Like my Ugandan homeland, more than half of Guatemala’s population is classified as poor. They lack material wealth yet they find joy and cling to hope in Christ through their circumstances.

The sight of Guatemalan kids in villages walking distances to schools and women doing back-breaking work for long hours was a down-memory-lane of my own boyhood struggles growing up in Uganda. These visuals, along with the lack of basic needs like clean water demonstrated that despite the 13,437 kilometers (8,341 miles) separating my native country from Guatemala, this newly visited Central American country and Uganda are a reflection of each other in their public policy system.

Construction and connections

Our team helped construct a classroom block at a local school and donated items to new moms in a local hospital. We played a soccer game, visited local food markets and got hosted in homes for cookouts as a way of cultural immersion. Not many locals spoke English. Nonetheless, we sang, prayed together, laughed at our pitiful Spanish, and worked alongside them. Despite the language barrier, God’s love is universal.

One aspect of the trip unique to me was local reaction to the color of my skin. While Guatemalans generally have darker skin than most American Caucasians, most had never seen a black person except in the movies. I became an attention in some places we went. Three kids in the market kept following me and wanting to touch my hair and skin. Their mom pulled out a phone, asking for a picture of me with her kids. The adults who had seen the Black Panther movie gave me a nickname: Wakanda (location near Tanzania, Africa). I loved it. Eventually everyone on my team from the United States started calling me Wakanda.

Visiting is about scenery and places. But more importantly, it’s about people.

In Guatemala, I made a connection with people in that country as well as those on my team through the joy of their life stories and struggles. This was much less about me making a profound impact in their lives and place, but rather about them (and God) making a profound impact on me and my heart.

Eyes widened to poverty

By exposing my heart while getting my hands dirty in the soil of this country, my eyes were widened to poverty and needs. Beyond poverty statistics are the beautiful souls of kids who sat on my lap. I hope that the impact of this trip stays long after their country dirt is washed off of my feet.

Ultimately I hope that for the first time, or in a deeper way, I come to see that the gospel needed by the not-yet-Christians I encountered while I served in Guatemala is the same gospel that’s needed in my own heart. The people I loved and served there are not merely good people trapped in hard circumstances who need little help. They are fellow sinners, whose sin is no less deep and no less present than my own.

And their deepest need – though it may look drastically different on the surface is no different than mine. The need for a Savior who not only says, “I am willing” but “It is finished,” so that they too can be welcomed home as sons and daughters of the King.

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If you are interested in supporting students who are making a difference in communities around the world such as UCU graduate Dennis Wandera is, click on the “Donate” button on the upper right of this page or contact Uganda Partners’ Executive Director Mark Bartels @mtbartels@gmail.com

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UCU Students, Public Officials Air Opinions on OTT, Mobile Money Taxes

November 1, 2018NewsUganda Christian UniversityPatty Huston-Holm

By Billy Bayo
Uganda’s Over the Top Tax (OTT) on the country’s social media and Mobile Money taxes were the main topics for the Uganda Christian University (UCU) Law Society 2018 symposium.

Held at Nkoyoyo Hall on the UCU main campus in Mukono, on 31 October 2018, roughly 100 students listened and debated the economic and freedom injustices of the new taxes. OTT, which costs UGX 200 a day, and the Mobile Money tax were implemented in July of this year.

The annual symposium topic was “The choice of taxing OTT (Over the Top Tax) and mobile money services as a tool of widening Uganda’s tax base.” Joining students in the discussion were thinkers, policy makers, and journalists.

The Infamous OTT and Mobile Money Tax

Hon. Nobert Mao, the Democratic Party (DP) President, who was tasked to discuss the role of citizens said, “If you want to encourage innovation, internet should be free. The social media tax is about undermining collective citizenship not collecting money. The tax is also anti-young people because it is the young generation that is so much on these social media platforms. I hope the next government which is coming soon will reverse that decision immediately.”

Nicholas Opiyo, a Human Rights Attorney attached to Chapter Four Uganda, agreed that shutting down social media is “an attempt by state to shield from scrutiny and also cartel the free flow of information and it is associated with state violence.” He added his belief that taxes should be levied for progressive purposes with hopes that “the court will declare the tax unlawful and nullifies it.”

Ian Mutiibwa, an advocate at Signum Advocates said, “The taxing of social media and the tax on mobile money is wrong even if it’s only 0.5 percent. It is taking us backwards. These taxes will kill people because we shall go backwards. The principle of double taxation is that the same income should not be taxed twice from the same person. However, the mobile money tax is absolutely against that principle.”

Raymond Mujuni, a journalist with NBS Television said the multinational companies providing those services should be taxed instead of double taxing the citizens.

An intellectually charged Raymond further said he is totally against the OTT and Mobile Money taxes.

“These taxes must go, I totally disagree with them and I am ready to challenge it. Without economic freedom, there is no freedom for any black man. Those who have taxed us into oblivion, there must be accountability,” he said.

Simon Peter M. Kinobe, the President of Uganda Law Society (ULS) agreed that the state has an obligation to collect taxes. However, he took issue with what the taxes are used for, arguing that the impact of both taxes needed to be researched before being passed.

“The state has an obligation to collect tax. The big question is what our taxes are being used for?” he asked.

Other issues discussed at the annual forum included tribalism and political inclusion of the youth in decision-making.

Peggy Noll inspires Uganda’s next generation of writers

October 26, 2018NewsChildren’s Literature, Literacy, Uganda Christian University, Uganda PartnersPatty Huston-Holm

By Douglas Olum
It was 2:57 p.m. (East Africa time) when I left The Standard newspaper office at Uganda Christian University (UCU), where I work. I sped towards Eunice Guest House, located at the foot of the forested hill on the southeast side of the Mukono campus. I had three minutes to arrive for a folklore lecture due to be delivered by Peggy Noll, the wife of the former and founding UCU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Noll.

But the venue had been changed to M3, one of the rooms on Maari block, a lecture block at the university. I rushed to the new venue. Mr. Peter Mugume, the acting head of languages at the Faculty of Education and Arts, was delivering his opening remarks.

“We are glad to report to you that the department you started has grown. We now have PHDs in literature, Masters of literature and we teach various languages like French, Kiswahili, Chinese and Spanish as undergraduate level,” Mugume said, addressing his message to Peggy.

The venue, located at the ground floor of the single-stair building, was packed with undergraduate students from first- to third-year and their lecturers. Reading from their faces, I could tell that there was thirst for more knowledge, the kind that Peggy Noll would soon impart to them.

After a few speeches from their staff, most of which were praises and recollections of great roles that Peggy played in transforming their lives, the Rev. Abel Wankuma Kibbedi, who was the Master of Ceremony at the event, introduced Peggy Noll.

She shared books, including various children’s literature, a collection of stories authored by Sir Apollo Kaggwa, an influential political figure in the pre-independence Uganda, and her own literature, “Under the mango tree,” which describes an environment seen by students on daily basis but with little attention.

“I would like to see someone write about him. For instance, why would he be busy collecting and writing these stories when he was Prime Minister?” Peggy Noll said, as she encouraged the students and staff to write and share their stories.

“You don’t have to look down on simple stories,” she said. “Children’s stories are very important.”

The study of literature at UCU started with only one student, a clergyman from the Western part of the country. But soon it grew to seven, all of who were pursuing it in line with the vocation to teach the English language. Right now, there is an entire department dedicated to the study of literature and languages.

Mary Owor, a lecturer at the department, agrees with Peggy on the importance of compiling children’s literature and other simple stories saying, “As Ugandans, it is time for us to get out of the oral story telling and get into written.”

On the part of the students, the lecture that could have started as an option to their program, turned out to be a life-changing event.

Daniel Kishoda, a student of Bachelor of Arts in Education with Languages, said the lecture has inspired him to focus more on his writing projects.

“I always know that all the peace and stability that we long for in this world rely on us because we can influence society using literature, but I had never concentrated on my writings,” Kishoda said. “You (Peggy Noll) have given me a dose of inspiration that will make me focus more on my writings.”

The students resolved to resurrect the inactive “Literature Association,” founded in 2005. They have committed to write poems and short stories and share with their lecturers. Through individual and association effort, literature will grow again in the country.

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If you are interested in supporting UCU programs like this one in literature, contact Mark Bartels, UCU Partners’ Executive Director, at mtbartels@gmail.com. Also follow our Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin pages.

World View impact on Marriage to be addressed at 2018 Uganda Christian University Public Lecture

October 18, 2018NewsUganda Christian University, Uganda PartnersPatty Huston-Holm

The Rev. Prof. Stephen Noll, former Vice Chancellor of Uganda Christian University, will headline the University’s 2018 Public Lecturer Program at 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 24, at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel. His topic is “Secularism on the March: The Abolition of Marriage and Family.”

The guest of honor will be Justice Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza of the Ugandan Supreme Court.

Prof. Noll will explain the fundamentally opposed worldviews of religions, which see God as Creator of the world, and atheistic secularism, which claims that there is nothing that is absolutely true, good or beautiful. These worldviews, he claims, have profound effects on how a society values marriage.

For most religions, marriage and family are ordained by God. The Bible sees it this way, as Jesus says: “From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

Atheistic secularism, on the other hand, sees “sexuality” as an end in itself, leading to short-term “hook-ups” and cohabitation, and easy divorce.

When the secularist worldview dominates a society, Prof. Noll argues, marriage loses its stabilizing role, and women and children are the greatest losers.

After returning to the United States in 2010, Rev. Noll was appointed Chairman of the “Task Force on Marriage, the Family and the Single Life” of the Anglican Church in North America.

He also has been a leader at the Global Anglican Future Conferences over the past decade. The “Gafcon” movement has opposed the same secularizing trends in the worldwide Anglican Communion. Last June, 2,000 Anglicans, including all the Ugandan bishops and their wives, met in Jerusalem and stated: “For some time our Communion has been under threat from leaders who deny the Lordship of Christ and the authority of Scripture.”

Prof. Noll will be accompanied by his wife Peggy, who served with him in Mukono from 2000-2010. He will be the Guest of Honor at the UCU Graduation on Friday, 26 October. The Nolls reside in Pennsylvania, USA.

‘Mother tongue’ translation project elevates literacy for Uganda’s children

October 9, 2018NewsChildren’s Literature, Language, Literacy, Reading, Translation, Uganda, Uganda Christian University, Uganda PartnersPatty Huston-Holm

Uganda Christian University faculty member’s book, which is published in 30 languages

By Patty-Huston Holm

What if after years of affectionately calling the woman who gave birth to you by the name “mother,” you are told she had to be addressed as “maama wange?” At the same time, your mother’s brother that you grew up knowing as “uncle” is now “kojja wange.”

The words you heard and spoke with emotional attachment in your western, predominately English-speaking country since birth takes a back seat to a Ugandan tribal language called Luganda. Now, everything you read and say is no longer in English, but in Luganda.

That, according to Cornelius Wambi Gulere, senior lecturer in literature, at UgandaChristian University (UCU), is similar to what happens with Ugandan children born into tribes speaking more than 65 different languages and dialects before going to schools where English is spoken and read. Not only do the children drift from the native language but also pull away from the feelings associated with those first words, the desire to be creative when putting words together and the excitement for reading and writing.

Project possible because of UCU Partners
The UCU Department of Languages and Literature project of creative writing, translation and publishing for children strives to change that – one book at a time. With most of the financial backing from an anonymous donor through UCU Partners, English stories with illustrations are being translated and published into the “mother tongue.” From April to October of 2018, students and staff members at UCU and Uganda’s Kyambogo University had translated 1,000 stories into around a dozen languages. Among the languages in the project are Ateso, Acholi, Kumam, Rukhonzo, Lusoga, Luganda, Kiswahili, Rufumbira, Kinyarwanda, Runyankore-Rukiga, and Runyoro-Rutooro.

Peer review to assure literacy quality is part of the process. In addition to Cornelius, others helping with that review are Manuel Muranga, Monica Ntege, Constance Tukawasibwe and Peter Mugume, among others.

A western humanitarian strategy has been to increase literacy in underdeveloped countries by donating books in English – an appreciated action especially in a country like Uganda where the government does not provide financial support for libraries. The less recognized but effective approach to fighting illiteracy, however, is to reinforce reading through the words children hear first.

“When reading is familiar, it is easier and more enjoyable,” said Dr. Cornelius, who has had his original children’s book, “A Very Tall Man,” published in 30 languages. “Plus, literacy increases with the more languages you can read.”

Words + illustrations = Creativity
And the value of illustrations with stories should not be overlooked.

“Pictures often carry more messages,” he said. “Ask a child to tell his own story by looking at the pictures, and watch something amazing happen. The illustrations increase creativity and lifelong enjoyment with books.”

For the Department of Languages and Literature in the UCU Education and Arts Faculty, the children’s literature project has benefits beyond serving Uganda’s children. It offered opportunities for interdisciplinary and off-campus collaboration. Translators include UCU’s own students and staff – undergraduates from Journalism and Media studies and the librarian at the Mukono campus, for example – and students at Kyambogo University in Kampala. Support also comes from the Uganda Community Libraries Association, local community families and the free on-line children’s Web sites of Story Weaver and African Storybook. Besides UCU Partners, other literacy support has come from Hewlett and Neil Butcher Associates.

UCU Student translator, Buryo Emmanuel Noble

“I started learning English when I was 6 or 7,” second-year journalism/media studies student Buryo Emmanuel Noble recalled. “I wanted to keep speaking my native language, but it was hard because I was in boarding school.”

Buryo was one of the project translators, doing the work from English to Runyankore-Rukiga without charge because he not only enjoyed doing it but felt it would help young children from his Kiruhura home in western Uganda. He smiled as he recalled the story he translated. It was about a sheep who wanted to leave the city and get back to his country home.

Another UCU student translator, Babirye Dinnah, also in journalism/media studies, translated from English to Luganda a story about a hare and hyena. The lessons were about trust, honesty and laziness. Her first career goal is to be a news anchor, but after the project, she realizes that with her knowledge of five languages, she might be able to get a job as a translator after obtaining her bachelor’s degree.

“It’s very important for children to know their local language to interact with family and know about their family history,” she said.

According to Cornelius, the next step beyond the initially funded translation is to have a doctoral studies program focused on children’s literature.

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One of UCU’s core values is service. Faculty and students seek to live this out by connecting what they are teaching and learning in the classroom to the broader society, meeting the needs of Ugandans who may never set foot on the University campus. If you are interested in supporting projects like this one in Uganda, contact Mark Bartels, UCU Partners’ Executive Director, at mtbartels@gmail.com.

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UCU’s Africa Policy Centre Joins Fight to End Child Sacrifice in Uganda

August 27, 2018NewsAfrica Policy Center, Child Sacrifice, Uganda, Uganda Christian University, Uganda Partners, Witch DoctorsPatty Huston-Holm

By Alex Taremwa

On the sidelines of the Hope Event organized by Kyampisi Childcare Ministries at the Kampala Serena Hotel is Joseph Nkunda, a 54-year-old pastoralist in the rural district of Nakasongola along the Kampala-Gulu highway.

Nkunda narrates that after two of his children – Canaan, 10, and Sylvia Nkunda, 7, returned from school in 2009, he asked them to look after the cows as he went to buy food from the market. After the father left, a man the children didn’t know approached them with a sharpened machete and claimed that the cows had destroyed his garden. The children denied the claim, but the man overpowered them.

Joseph Nkunda, left, with his son, a child sacrifice survivor, talks about how his son survived and his daughter was brutally murdered by a witch doctor.

“He commanded them to walk ahead of him so he could go and show them the garden that the cows had allegedly destroyed and since he had the machete, they could not object,” Nkunda continued.

When they got to a shrub, he motioned the children to sit on the ground. The boy refused, but the accuser grabbed him by the neck and his sister by the hands.

“He cut the boys neck from behind and the boy fell flat, lifeless, unconscious and bleeding profusely. He left him for dead and then cut the girl into several pieces, drained her blood, took her heart and her genitals,” the father recounted both privately at an August 24, 2018, cocktail reception for about 75 people and later that night in front of 1,000 parents, children, Ugandan officials and non-profit representatives from Uganda, Australia and the United States.

Because the boy was unconscious, the witchdoctor thought he was dead. But he wasn’t. Upon his return, Joseph Nkunda could not believe his eyes to find his children – ones he left alive and well an hour ago – lying lifeless in the jungle. He fainted.

Fast forward, the boy survived, and the witchdoctor was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment. Nkunda believes the sentence could have been tougher and more lives saved had there been stricter laws in Uganda against child sacrifice and trafficking.

“Most cultures and traditions in Uganda still believe in appeasing the ‘gods’ with blood sacrifice of mostly children for they are considered pure and holy,” William Kasoba, a children’s activist, said.

Kasoba claimed that in Uganda, two of every 10 children are classified as targeted for child sacrifice. He added that some sacrifices are condoned by parents for material gain and that the business of witchcraft under the guise of “traditional healers, herbalists” is thriving.

Peter Sewakiryanga, left, executive director of the KCM organization serving as the primary sponsor of the child sacrifice awareness event in Kampala, and Karen Lewis, Australia, holding a baby she is hoping to adopt, offered their voices about child protection. While not a victim of witch doctors, the baby falls in the category of “vulnerable” because he was one of two twin boys tossed out age two weeks by a mother who called them “snakes.”

This is where Uganda Christian University (UCU)’s think-tank Africa Policy Centre (APC) comes in. A study conducted by the Centre has been shared by the Parliamentary Committee on Children’s Welfare demanding for tougher legislation on child sacrifice.

“Prosecutors currently rely on the Penal Code Act, the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, and a series of legislation designed to enforce constitutional provisions on the right to life, personal liberty and freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. The relevant parts of Ugandan law shows how inadequate it is to address child sacrifice,” Dr. Dickson Kanakulya, a Senior Researcher at the APC, said.

Kanakulya agrees with Justice Margaret Mutoni that the current law is too lenient for criminals who kidnap children with the intention to kill them but somehow the children survive. Parents who have lost their children to the vice call for even tougher and more extreme sentences – like the death penalty.

“The perpetrators are charged with manslaughter or kidnapping and are given lighter sentences that do not send out a clearer message that the practice is unacceptable and condemned,” he added.

In their legislation proposal, the APC calls for a unified missing persons database and the implementation of uniform procedures in investigation, training for law enforcement, and minimum standards of investigative excellence. APC also demands that the new legislation should name an NGO (or a network of NGOs) that will deal with all aspects of victim care.

Gloria Dandridge, left, and Chelsea Mack, are affiliated with the Christian law faculty of Regent University, Virginia. They have been working with the Uganda public prosecutions office to shut down witch doctor shrines and impose harsh penalties on perpetrators of child sacrifice.

Regents University in Virginia, a collaborative partner with UCU and the APC, was recognized for its program of bringing new attorneys to help wage the child sacrifice fight through the Uganda Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Also applauded for efforts were World Vision; the Ugandan Ministry of Gender and Justice; Operation Underground Railroad, a USA-based anti-trafficking organization; and Droplets in a Stream, an Australia charity focused on helping vulnerable children in Kenya and Uganda.

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To obtain a copy of APC’s analysis of the child sacrifice issue or to learn more about UCU’s APC, contact Dr. Dickson Kanakulya, APC Senior Researcher at tdkana@gmail.com.

UCU Students’ Internship in Adolescent Girl Education in Northern Uganda

February 10, 2018NewsMark Bartels

By Akongo Ruth Rose, UCU Student, Mass Communications & Patty Huston-Holm, UCU Visiting Professor (7th February 2018)

(In late November-early December 2017, three Uganda Christian University students in Mass Communications participated in a one-week internship focused on adolescent girl education and lead by Dr. Diane Ross with assistance by Dr. Pegi Lobb, both from Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. The Uganda Christian University students of Professor Angella Napakol were Mercy Agenorot, Akongo Ruth Rose and Adiru Hope. Akongo provides this account.)

For one week of our final year toward receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications at Uganda Christian University (UCU), two other students and I had the opportunity to participate in an internship with two American professors. Our job was to assist with an empowerment project involving adolescent girls in Uganda’s West Nile region. The project focuses on the use of personal story telling to increase self-esteem and improve the school retention rate for girls. Fewer than 11% of girls in this region finish secondary education – one of the lowest girl child education rates in our country.

Adiru Hope, Mercy Agenorot, Akongo Ruth Rose

We knew the rate was low because the three of us grew up in this geographical part of Uganda. We knew some of the reasons. What we didn’t realize was how telling our own stories to these younger girls and listening and providing feedback to their stories could help. For six days, we took our listening, public speaking and feedback skills from the UCU classroom to approximately 160 girls in four real-world settings of an area of Uganda bordered by the Congo and South Sudan.

We met about 20 girls ages 11 to 16 in each the P6 level classrooms of Galia, Arua Hill and Atratraka primary schools and about 100 older girls in the Bidibidi refugee camp in Yumbe. They had touching and painful accounts of their lives. Many of the more than 60 schoolgirls we met walk long distances to go to school and may spend a night or two without food. The 100 girls in the settlement camp at the Uganda-South Sudanese border live with memories of murder and rape. Just inside Uganda now, they are relatively safe from the acts but not from the thoughts.

One of the UCU student sharing her story in order to inspire the girls to consider their personal stories and to pursue excellence in the midst of their lives.

The school girls told us about drunkard and imprisoned fathers with multiple wives; about abuse from those fathers and other men and even boys; about sneaking out to go to school; and about no money for school fees, uniforms and supplies.

One girl wrote: “Those of us without pencils are given sticks by teachers. We do our lessons in the dirt, and teachers grade them from there.”

From others within the three schools: “My father says I am wasting my time at school.” “He says, ‘I will kill you. You are worthless. I’ll throw you in the pit latrine. Go away before I kick you like a ball’.” “The boys won’t leave me alone.” “My mother has 11 children and can’t afford fees for girls.” “They want me to stay home and watch the babies.”

The settlement camp girls have writings about living with the sound of guns and the smell of blood, with the cries, begging for mercy and the knives cutting through the throats of loved ones in their memories. Some ran without parents, living on their own while others managed to escape by being raped by the rebel soldiers and are now caring for those babies from fathers they will never know.

But in the midst of these messages of desperation were expressions of support – writings about hard-working peasant farmers trying to get money for girl school fees and about the camp girl’s relatives that may still be alive. There were words of hope with dreams of becoming teachers, midwives, nurses, doctors, builders and bankers.

“I want to be elected to parliament and not be an evil leader,” one girl wrote. “I want to be able to get electricity to the villages.”

From another: “I want to be Uganda’s first female president.”

As I interacted with adolescents, it brought peace in my heart to hear girls talk about their futures. Today’s girls in Uganda tell us that empowerment of a woman should not only be about the babies they produce, but also other contributions connected to the development of their country and the world.

Previous research shows that personal story telling increases self esteem and awareness of possibilities to realize dreams. During our nearly seven days of time with girls in four West Nile locations, we realized the value of not only listening but serving as older role models – Ugandan young women about to graduate from the university. I talked about my plans to be a writer. Mercy wants to make it in the film industry. Adriu would like a career working with kids.

Another aspect of the project involves teaching about the menstrual cycle and erasing embarrassment about this natural part of growing into womanhood. The American university faculty provided this education, including about menstrual hygiene and reproductive health.

All the girls we met love school. They want to learn. They want to go to the university some day. They want to be part of a new statistic – to raise the current literacy rate of only 29% for women in this region.

Agenorot with students at one of the schools

While we were there to help them, hearing their stories helped close the gap of fear in me. If these girls could overcome their obstacles, I, too, could move on from any negatively I’ve had in my life. While I know we were there to help the girls, being with them gave me added courage to overlook my own education distractions and stand up as a young woman and be proud of who I am.