By Yasiri J. Kasango
Uganda Christian University (UCU) Alumni Eastern Chapter launched a project dubbed alumni villages. The alumni, led by Paulo Katto, the Eastern Representative on the Alumni Association Executive, spearheaded the mobilisation and purchase of over 3 hectares of land located in Bukomolo cell, Kadutumi county, and Katira subcounty in Budaka district.
The alumni visualise the land as a stepping stone to their great ambition of developing together as former students of the institution. The project, dubbed Alumni Village, was initiated by a committee from the UCU Alumni Association’s Eastern Chapter. For one to own a piece of land in the alumni village, they were meant to pay with Ugx 1,500,000 only.
The alumni have a vision of developing Bukomolo village into an estate. Tatiana Wandar, an alumnus dealing with real estate development, has a big vision for the alumni village.
“I will provide a blueprint for our alumni village,” said Wandar. She added that she envisions the village having all the necessary services, like schools and hospitals, among others.
The chairperson of Bukomolo village, Musa Kawiso, expressed his joy for the new members of the village. “I believe the team of UCU will elevate the village since they have come hand in hand with development,” said Kawiso.
Katto confirmed that this is only the start of bigger projects in the pipeline for UCU alumni. He said they have plans to extend the alumni village project to other regions of Uganda. “We shall buy land in the central and western parts of the country,” he said.
However, he informed the villagers that there was still something to sort out. He said the land “we purchased was on a freehold system, but we are in the process of getting the land title so that everyone can be in position to get their personal land title,” added Katto.
Dorothy Amongin, the UCU Mbale College secretary who is also the substantive human resources officer of the college, appreciated the alumni for persevering and hitting this milestone.
“As the administration, we shall support you in all your ventures as the alumni association,” added Amongin.
