By Irene Best Nyapendi
Uganda Christian University (UCU) has come out of the Covid pandemic and lockdown with its first School of Medicine (SoM) graduates, a new building on the Mukono campus and recognition of faculty elevated to high-level leadership positions, among others. These are among what the UCU Chancellor and Church of Uganda Archbishop, His Grace the Most Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, observed in a recent visit.
As the head of the university, the Chancellor has the responsibility to oversee the university’s activities and ensure that it is running smoothly. By conducting annual visits, the Chancellor evaluates the progress made by the university in terms of academics, research, student life, and other areas. He also ensures that the university is complying with government regulations and university policies.
Kaziimba, who began his position as archbishop and UCU chancellor in March 2020, learned about UCU’s progress and challenges during an official visit on March 15. He said he was impressed with the development at the university and the hard work of the university leadership, administrators and students to maintain UCU as an outstanding Christian institution.
Kaziimba expressed special appreciation to UCU Vice Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, and his team for their efforts. Mushengyezi gave a report on some of the achievements of the university, including the first graduation from the SoM, started in 2018 and with a pioneer class exiting this July.
“This is a great achievement for the university as it sends out its first doctors into the medical world to shine for Christ in the marketplace,” Mushengyezi said.
He reported that despite the financial challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the university has been able to construct a three-floor building on campus, which is now roofed with interior finishing ongoing. Recent infrastructural works have enhanced the beauty of the green campus.
“We have paved the parking lot at the Kivengere building and the walkways connecting it to Maari, Nkoyoyo, Noll, Mirembe, and Kivebulaya blocks,” Mushengyezi said. “We plan to continue paving other walkways and parking lots on campus and renovating some old buildings.”
The Vice Chancellor revealed that the university intends to diversify its revenue streams by exploring other investments that the university has been discussing with potential partners. The proposals include the development of the university’s land in Ntawo, which is under constant threat by squatters and land grabbers.
Mushengyenzi informed the Chancellor about the appointment of two UCU Associate Professors to higher positions of responsibility in the region.
“Rev. Can. Assoc. Prof. Olivia Banja was appointed vice chancellor of Ndejje University, while Assoc. Prof. Martin Mwanje Lwanga was appointed director general at the Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute (ESAMI) in Arusha, Tanzania,” he said.
The Chancellor expressed gratitude to Mushengyenzi and university leadership for the impressive developments on campus and encouraged the leadership to continue in their efforts to make the university a “Center of excellence in the heart of Africa.”
During his visit, he held meetings with guild student leaders, academic registrars and administrative assistants.
Guild cabinet officials presented university student challenges. The Guild prime minister, Aaron Tahinduka, requested a change in the tuition policy which requires students to have cleared all outstanding arrears before sitting their exams. He made a case that students who have a tuition balance of less than Sh500,000 ($133) be allowed to sit for exams.
“Tuition challenges still stand as a big problem to student’s well-being which affects many as they are likely not to complete their studies,” he said.
The 25th guild government shared with the Chancellor their plan of starting a sh100 million ($26,609) campaign to solicit money for the guild fund.
“We will be blessed if the Chancellor launches the 100 million shillings campaign and connects us to partners and sponsors for this cause,” Tahinduka said.
Kaziimba expressed appreciation for a guild presentation and the guild fund drive.
“We have a very brilliant guild leadership; they gave me their report, and I appreciate their level of maturity,” he said.
Melissa Kamikazi Nsaba, the guild vice president, said that in a world that is “going too liberal and materialistic,” an archbishop’s visit is the prescription the young people need to refocus them on God.
“He is a very good example to us as leaders,” Nsaba said. “He shows us the kind of leader the Bible calls us to be.”
Kaziimba said he appreciated the academic registrars and administrative assistants for their dedicated hard work every day to make UCU a center of excellence in the heart of Africa.
Academic registrars also spoke freely with the chancellor about their work and what they think can enable them to perform even better and help in achieving the university’s objectives.
“It was refreshing to receive counsel and encouragement from our Chancellor and spiritual leader. We were encouraged that the work we do is not in vain and it is valued by God,” Andrew Ayebare, the academic registrar at the faculty of nursing, said.
The Chancellor toured the School of Business on Ankrah (Besania) Hill. The day was crowned by a Lenten service at Nkoyoyo hall, where Kaziimba preached on “Overcoming temptation” like Joseph did in the Bible in Genesis 39.
The Chancellor said prayers and blessed student and sports leaders. He commended the sports teams and urged them to use sports for evangelism.
Emmanuel Ayella, who is on the university volleyball team, was excited to see the archbishop for the first time. He was overjoyed to know that Kaziimba is a fan of the English football team Arsenal, just like him.
“Today is literally the best day of my life,” Ayella said. “I used to just see him on YouTube and TikTok, but today I am so excited to see him and even more excited to hear him say he is an Arsenal fan.”
The Archbishop proceeded to UCU Mbale University College, UCU’s eastern region campus, where he met with the senior management, students guild and staff. The UCU Mbale guild president, Daniel Kunya, was particularly pleased with the Chancellor’s visit.
“We have shared a lot with him and we have learnt a lot from him, especially regarding unity as an essential factor in the progress and success of the university,” he said.
