By Aryane Ninsiima
Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) Writing Centre, in partnership with the Guild Government’s Ministry of Education, concluded a successful Writing Week aimed at improving students’ writing skills and enhancing awareness of the services offered at the center. The event, which took place from October 28 to November 1, was hosted at the Ham Mukasa Library.
The initiative, launched by the Writing Center over a year ago under the guidance of Professor Aaron Mushengyezi, the university’s vice chancellor and the Dean of the School of Education, is designed to support students in refining their research, dissertations, and general academic writing. Through a peer-to-peer training model, UCU students from various faculties serve as coaches, providing a relatable approach to academic assistance.
Othieno Brian Gabriel, the Deputy Minister of Education under UCU’s 26th Guild Government, highlighted the program’s focus on practical skills. “Writing Week is set up to train research proposal writing, dissertation writing, referencing, and many others,” Othieno said. “The turnout was encouraging, but we hope to see even greater participation in future sessions.”
The event included workshops and sessions led by seasoned professionals, including Patty Huston-Holm, a journalist and communications expert from Ohio, USA. Huston-Holm, author of Dolls in Trees: 100+ True Stories, shared insights from her extensive career, covering distinctions between fiction and nonfiction writing and emphasizing storytelling techniques crucial for budding writers.
Students praised the program for its accessible support and hands-on guidance. Chantal Mugenyi, a first-year UCU student, expressed appreciation for the resources made available through the Writing Center. “I didn’t come with many expectations, but what I needed the most was help on how to approach things,” Mugenyi shared, noting the new perspectives on reading and writing she gained from the experience.
Isaac Arinda Rugambwa, a student coach from the Faculty of Law, underscored the importance of the peer-coaching model, which involves student coaches from diverse faculties to meet the varied academic needs of UCU’s student body. “We are not here to do coursework for students but to guide them on how they can improve their pieces,” he said.
As Writing Week wrapped up, organizers expressed optimism about future events, with plans to continue expanding access to writing support for students across all faculties.
