By Joseline Nambuya
Ms. Patience Mushengyenzi, fondly known as Mama Pesh invited Ms. Ruth Senyonyi to create a greater impact on students, encouraging them to make the right decisions. This session took place on Sunday, March 29th 2026, in Nkoyoyo Hall at 3:00 pm which focused on Handling relationships and academics.
“Why academics? What are they for? What are the aims? What does your ideal future look like? What influences your career choices?” as Ms. Senyonyi began the Session.
As the students responded to Ms. Senyonyi, they shared their thoughts on their academic goals, which included, learning their responsibility for what they want to achieve, upgrading for better employment and ultimately gaining knowledge and skills.
A group of students also laid out what influences their career choices. The list included passion, role models, environment, economic incentives, experience, increase in values and purpose, job market, and personality.
Ms. Ruth Senyonyi was impressed by the views shared by the students. She emphasized what an ideal future could look like by using her profile. She continued to share and challenge students about what kind of future they are looking forward to.
She added that her future includes a title and a job. She shared her academic profile as a Counselling psychologist, academic and Christian leader, recognized as the Canon, a title bestowed by the Church of Uganda for her services, Doctor of Philosophy PHD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University, United States of America, and A Golden Jubilee Medalist awarded in 2022 for her contribution to the community.
She continued asking, “What does it mean to excel?” as she shared. What would you like to do? In terms of relationships, when should I start dating? What is dating? Who is the person? Why are you in a relationship? Is it because of peers, loneliness? What is your goal for that relationship? She paused.
After the students had given it a thought, Ms. Ruth Senyonyi advised students to know what they want. She instructed them to guide their purity, holy thoughts, and control passion. “True love waits. Remain virgin until marriage,” she added.
Ms. Senyonyi also reminded the students, “Don’t be bound by rules, for we were saved from them. Have a relationship with God and Resolve. Never get defiled.” She continued to incorporate the biblical viewpoint by giving students scriptures like 2 Timothy 3:14-17 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.
The session was interactive, where students formed groups, and they were assigned a leader, through whom they had ample time to share and discuss their opinions.
The groups were tasked to discuss questions that include: Is it possible to remain pure till marriage in an intimate relationship? Can I be in a relationship and excel in my studies? What is the goal of that relationship?
The groups gave comparable responses to the questions that focused on giving advice, such as making sure that expectations are communicated in the relationship and that one should be grounded in Christ.
Pearl Kenganzi, a third-year student pursuing a Bachelor of laws shared, “The session has really restored my confidence in my academics, regardless of the University challenges. The program, “Talk to Mama Pesh,” is a program that I wouldn’t encourage anyone to miss. It has taught me to be self-driven and, above all, to put God at the center of everything.”
Another student, Luanda Samuel, a third-year student pursuing a bachelor in procurement and Logistics Management, also expressed how effective this session is and said, “We have no time to connect anymore because of the depreciation of social skills of this generation at a substantial rate. I do believe that this is insightful, and I am a proud ambassador”.
