By Asenath Were
A long-term project seeking to strengthen Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) reputation as a center of academic excellence is taking shape. The ambitious seven-year Campus Transformation Initiative (CTI), was launched on May 23, 2023, during a Community Worship Service in Nkoyoyo Hall at the UCU main campus. The initiative focuses on five key areas: digitised campus services, refurbished campus facilities, paved and remodelled walkways and roads, landscaped and green and clean campuses, and a trained, equipped and motivated team to lead the transformation. According to UCU Communications Officer Jimmy Siyasa, the transformation is being implemented in phases but also in a way that different aspects are progressing simultaneously.
“Digitization is a top priority in our five-point plan,” Siyasa said, referring to the recent upgrade of the university’s Alpha system. The upgraded Alpha 2.0 system was launched to enhance the efficiency of academic processes, particularly in assessing and approving student marks by the University Senate. “This is a major step towards creating a fully digitized campus,” Siyasa noted.
Visible physical transformations are also underway. Roads, including the prominent Bishop Orombi Road, are being tarmacked, and walkways have been remodeled since the initiative began earlier this year. Landscaping, greening, and campus beautification are other areas of progress, with clean appealing spaces now visible across the campus.
Siyasa also highlighted ongoing efforts to train staff and build capacity for leading the development. “We are facilitating staff to attend capacity-building workshops and exchange programs both locally and internationally,” he explained. Through signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with organisations in countries such as Germany, Greece, Norway, and South Africa, UCU staff are gaining international exposure and expertise, which they bring back to apply within the university, he shared.
For both students and staff, these improvements promise a more conducive learning and working environment. “A clean, neat and beautiful environment creates comfort for students and staff,” Siyasa emphasised. He added that for external stakeholders and visitors, the transformed campus speaks of excellence and an administration that cares to have standard or even international quality facilities.
Fredrick Kahinda, the engineer in charge of UCU facilities and capital projects, explained that the renovations began well before the CTI’s formal launch. “We started back in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, initially focusing on walkways around Nkoyoyo Hall and the parking area,” Kahinda said. He noted that the initiative also includes UCU’s Kampala campus, where 90% of construction work is complete, with only external works such as boundary walls and basketball courts remaining.
At the main campus, Kahinda reported that approximately 80% of the walkways, driveways, and parking areas have been completed. “We are left with tarmacking the road below the dining hall, and then we move on to renovating all the buildings,” he explained. Kahinda said that renovations are being done with respect for the historical significance of the buildings. “We maintain the shape and design of each building during renovation, rarely making structural changes,” he said.
Kahinda acknowledged that speed is essential in construction but assured that quality remains a top priority. “Speed affects the quality of work, but since we are mainly doing finishes like painting, speed is not compromising the work,” he added
Students have expressed mostly positive reactions to the ongoing transformations, praising the improvements for enhancing the campus’s aesthetic appeal. “I genuinely love all the changes around campus, especially the pavers. My favourite area is around Bishop Tucker, which is really pleasing to the eye,” said Michelle Lubogo, a second-year law student.
However, not all feedback has been positive. Some students have raised concerns about poor communication when offices relocate during renovations. Martin Mugasha, a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering graduand awaiting graduation in October, shared his frustrating experience with the Alumni office. “I spent two hours trying to locate the Alumni office for my graduation clearance. It had been relocated, but there were no clear signposts or communication about its new location,” Mugasha complained.
He advised that while renovations are a welcome development, the university should improve communication about office relocations to avoid unnecessary inconvenience. “They should inform us in advance or put up clear signage when offices move to new locations during renovations,” he shared.
