Feature

Mumbere’s journey began with strong family expectations for him to pursue civil engineering, a course chosen largely to fulfil his mother’s dream and belief in his academic potential. Although he accepted the decision with the hope of making her proud, he quickly discovered that the course did not align with his passion or identity.

According to Mbonye, the addiction began with alcohol which sent him into a depression, and then cigarettes got into the picture. The substances, he says, made him create illusions of bonding, friendship and happiness. But this new lifestyle did not come without costs.

In a bid to instill a positive attitude towards entrepreneurship among students, the Uganda Christian University (UCU) School of Business (SoB) has introduced an International Entrepreneurship Summer Camp to understand what it means to do business in Uganda. 

Studying a course for five years is not for the faint hearted. The 23-year-old Beatrice Birungi is one of the 45 tenacious students that pioneered the grueling Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery training at Uganda Christian University (UCU), completing it this year. 

“My father did not study his dream course — law — unlike his brothers,” Baitwa said. “And that saddened him. Someone, however, told him that if he got a son one day, he could live his dream in his son.” Baitwa’s father, Enoch Tumusiime Baitwa, instead studied a certificate course in veterinary medicine. 

Christa Oluka, UCU’s director of academic affairs, while closing a two-week international entrepreneur summer camp, told the students and the entire staff of the School of Business that to yield success in innovation, it calls for a combined effort from everyone.