‘My success is a testimony’- Kagimba

 

BY BRIGHT NIWAHA AND ELIZABETH AMONGIN

Videos of a young woman mimicking singers have, for the last three months, been making the rounds on social media sites. The author and protagonist, Martha Kagimba, is a photographer and comedienne who gained popularity in August this year when a video of her testifying about being nearly knocked by her dream car (the Range Rover) was posted on Facebook.

She has since posted videos of her mimicking Irene Ntale and Sheebah Karungi who are both Ugandan musicians. The 21-year-old has completed her Mass Communication degree at Uganda Christian University, talked to The Standard. “I had no idea that the videos would receive attention from various organisations like the Bill Gates Foundation, musicians and comedians like Anne Kansiime.

I shot the (Range Rover) video for my brother, and I did not initially want to post it on social media. But surprisingly, I woke up the following day to be told that the video had many views,” Kagimba said. That and other videos have brought Kagimba so much fame that she is currently an ambassador of the ‘Fly’ campaign under the Bill Gates Foundation.

The campaign is aimed at showing teenagers that one can achieve one’s goals by pursuing one’s talents. “When one of the campaign’s bosses contacted me about being their ambassador, I hesitated because I was scared that I could not manage the task but after a lot of convincing I accepted the deal.”

Early life

Kagimba was born in Nairobi and raised in Nakasero, Kampala. Born to Margaret and Jessy Kagimba, she is the lastborn of four children. She went to Kabojja Junior School, St Mary’s College Namagunga School, and Kabojja International School before joining Uganda Christian University to pursue a degree in Mass Communication.

Passion for photography

On her 18th birthday, Kagimba’s elder sister asked her what she wanted as a birthday present. “I wanted a phone tablet that could take pictures but my sister suggested that I get a professional camera. She bought me a camera and that was the beginning of my work in photography. I also studied in Haiti for my Senior Six and photography was among the extra activities we would do,” she explains.

Kagimba had no plans of taking photography more seriously though, and she did not enjoy her first internship duties at The New Vision as a photographer. “I preferred artistic photography than journalism photography whose pictures are about news events.”

“When I went for internship at the World Vision, I had the opportunity to take pictures for the organisation. This prompted some of my relatives to encourage me to do photography on a professional level. That is how Martha Kay Photography was born,” she said.

“At the World Vision’s public relations department, I took pictures out of love, not as a source of income. People begun asking me if I would cover their ceremonies like, graduation ceremonies, weddings and this is how it started as business,” Kagimba adds.

Pursuing excellence

Kagimba narrates that while in O-level, she was a poor academic performer and this demoralised her. She painfully recalls that she was always among the last people in her class. In her family, she was looked at as a failure. “My brothers and sisters were always performing well. I had the worst grades, some aunties of mine even used to laugh at my mother,” she says.

“One time my mother was called to the headmistress’ office due to my poor academic performance. She asked me, “Do you think I am going to take care of you for the rest of your life?’ I went back to the dormitory and cried. I felt like a failure, and I was depressed.”

She says that during this period of depression and rejection, she turned to God and read many inspirational books, which helped her to deal with the depression. “I used to read the Bible and other inspirational books.

By the time I came back to Uganda to pursue a degree in Mass Communication, I loved God more than anything that I even forfeited the freshers’ ball for overnight prayers,” she said. Kagimba adds that when she joined the university she still had the fear for failure, but prayers and obedience to God kept her focused.

When the first coursework assignment was returned and the lecturer asked who Martha Kagimba was, she got scared. “I thought that I was the last again, but the lecturer insisted and I raised my hand. He then said my work was the best. This changed my perspective about everything,” Kagimba narrates.

“Recently I was told that I attained a first- class degree but I did not believe it until I saw the results. This is a testimony – God is proving something!” she said.

Mentor and role models

“I have mentors in photography and I continue to learn a lot from them. These include Edgar Arinaitwe, the director of Events Guru Photography; and Lovington Kambugu of Blush Media.”

“When I started the photography firm, I knew how to take photos in a professional way because of the lessons I learnt from them,” she said, adding that she looks up to Dr Monica Chibita, the head of the Mass Communication department and Ben Kiruthi, a Kenyan photographer.

“My future plans include opening up a photo studio next year, as well as starting up an events management company,” she concludes.

Exclusive: Up close with the Canons captain

 

BY STAFF WRITER 

The Canons have always been known to nurture break-through stars and put up league championship competition week-in, week-out. This season the team has impressed in spite of the pessimistic attitudes of some pundits towards the team. This team is under the stewardship of a young, high flying captain, JONATHAN EGAU. Ronald Awany sat down with him for a one-on-one interview. Here is the exclusive.

Name: Jonathan Egau

Age: 23

Course: BBA 2

Position: Guard

Schools attended: Pioneer Primary School, Teso College Aloet, St Peter’s College Tororo, St Michael High School Sonde, Kibibi Secondary School, and UCU.

When did you start playing basketball? 

That was in 2006 when I had just joined Teso College Aloet. Back then the Malinga brothers (Henry, Erick, and Alex) were a household name in the local league and the fact that they were from Teso inspired me so much, I wanted to grow up and play basketball like them.

What is your strength on court? 

Jumping! I can jump so high, the reason I find picking rebounds and dunking quiet easy.

How do you manage captaining a team and having so much responsibility at such a young age? 

It is a good feeling that comes with a lot of responsibility. It is important to have the support of my teammates, especially during challenging times.

Where do you see yourself in five years? 

Going pro, and captaining the national side. In fact this year I hope to be called up to the national team.

Do you ever anticipate winning the league during your leadership? 

Yes! This team consists of a fine set of players with great quality and the ability to win the league. We just need to adjust in a few areas and we shall be champions.

How do you spend your free time? 

I go out with friends, a lot. I go swimming too and play a lot of relaxing basketball.

Any role models? 

Dwayne Wade formerly with the Miami Heat and now with the Chicago Bulls, and then locally, Stephen Omony.

What is your favourite meal? 

Smoked goat meat in g-nuts paste and attapa (millet bread)

How do you balance your academics and on court commitments? 

It is always challenging but at the end of the day, I try to draw a balance between the two. On an average day, I have to work out, hit the gym and throw some hoops and at the same time I have to be committed to class obligations.

What is your best and worst game of all time? 

This season’s first leg tie against City Oil was my best. In spite of the fact that we lost 73-72, I had a great game in general and scored 23 points.

My worst is still City Oil, Game Seven of last year’s finals. We could have won the championship yet I felt I could have done more to help the team.

 

Mayamba’s rise to top media spot

Mayamba receives an award for good journalism from Margaret Ssekajja, the ED of Human Rights Centre Uganda on World Press Freedom Day (Courtesy photo)

BY ALEX TAREMWA 

Johnson Mayamba graduated in 2012 with a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication at Uganda Christian University (UCU).

The light skinned and vivacious fellow has since his nursery school days at Queens Nursery and Primary, Entebbe, risen through the ranks and is currently vice president of the Human Rights Network for Journalists of Uganda (HRNJ), an NGO devoted to protection and respect of human rights through defending and building the capacities of journalists to effectively exercise their constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms.

Who is he? 

Mayamba was born on March 8, 1988, to Stephen Watata and Agatha Nabulo, both teachers, in Mbale District. He is the firstborn of eight children: five boys and three girls.

He attended Busumbu Primary School and Conbert Modern Primary Schools before joining Muljibhai Madhvani College, Wairaka College, and later UCU in 2009 to pursue Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication.

His choice of course, he says, was informed by an overwhelming desire to speak for the voiceless, the aggrieved whose voices hardly reach the public domain.

“I felt like there are many people who are unheard. These suffering people have no channel of communication. So I believe that being in this field will enable me to speak so that such people get justice,” he said. 

“However, I also contemplated being a teacher and lawyer. In fact, while filling the public university admission forms, I applied for Education and Law at Kyambogo and Makerere University respectively but my fate turned out different.”

Leadership path 

“I learnt the importance of leadership from my mother. Whenever she purposed to do something, she gave it her best.”

Mayamba says that wherever he has been, even when he does not seek a position of leadership, people always see a leader in him.

At UCU he was nominated to the Media Link board as the publicity secretary while in his first year, and he would later be voted Mass Communication representative to the Guild, among other positions.

Jack of all trades 

Despite majoring in print journalism, Mayamba launched his career in 2010 at Dunamis FM, a Mukono based radio station where he co-hosted a programme Agafudde mu Wiiki, a current affairs programme that analysed weekly events.

He worked as an intern at the Daily Monitor and while there he made such a good impression that the editors recommended that he remains as a freelance contributor, before he joined The Standard , as a news editor.

“The Standard was a great opportunity for me. After having a feel of radio, I felt that I needed designing skills but I got a whole lot more. I leant management, decision making, all the practical bits of a journalist and it has helped me a lot in my career,” he says.

In 2011, Mayamba joined the Human Rights Network for Journalists, Uganda and has since been involved in numerous activities.

Mayamba leads journalists to the Uganda Police headquarters (Courtesy photo)

The most notable was a journalists’ demonstration he led to the Uganda Police Force headquarters in Naguru in a bid to petition the Inspector General of Police, Gen. Kale Kayihura, over the police brutality against journalists.

This demonstration followed an incident involving a WBS Television cameraman Andrew Lwanga, who was severely beaten up by then Old Kampala DPC, Joram Mwesigye while filming a youth riot.

“We walked from Hotel Triangle, were stopped over six times, tear-gassed, dispersed, pepper-sprayed, but we matched on to the police headquarters.

“Unfortunately, we were told that the IGP was not in office but were referred to his deputy then, Haruna Isabirye, and subsequently the then Minister of Internal Affairs, the late Gen. Aronda Nyakairima,” Mayamba remembers.

He was recognised by the African Centre of Media Excellence (ACME), a Kampala-based independent, organisation commited to making the media a more effective platform for the provision of information on public affairs, a tool for monitoring official power, and a forum for vibrant public debate, during the 2016 World Press Freedom Day as the best male journalist, 2016, while HRNJ received the prestigious Commonwealth Press Union Astor Award for its outstanding work.

Dealing with loss 

On September 24, 2014, Mayamba’s mother, who was then a teacher at Seeta Primary School, succumbed for cervical cancer, a battle she had fought for almost a year.

Mayamba who was working at The Standard then, remembers tearfully how he was summoned by his mother one evening as he retired from office.

“Where are you?” His mum asked on phone. “Come home now. I want to see you,” she murmured. When he arrived at her place in Seeta, he found her lying in a pool of blood, helpless.

He took her to Mukono Health Centre IV at 1.00 am, but there was no doctor at the time so they proceeded to Nsambya Hospital where she was admitted for three weeks.

“She was very strong. She showed me that even in the worst situation, I needed to keep strong and I did. Even on the day she passed on, I worked and my colleagues could not believe it when I broke the bad news to them,” he recalls.

Almost two years later, Mayamba still feels the vacuum left by his mother’s absence. His little brother now stays with their aunt because his parents had separated.

Future plans 

Mayamba says he is considering standing for Member of Parliament.

He advises his peers to work towards changing the world for the better, as that is the only true measure of success.

The pinch of history behind Arua Campus

Dr John Milton Anguyo (right), the pioneer director of Arua Campus.

The Arua Campus main building

BY RONALD AWANY 

In 2003 Uganda Christian University (UCU) spread its wings to the West Nile region.

The suitable location turned out to be nine kilometres from the Arua–Nebbi–Kampala road; and the UCU, St Paul’s Ringli Study Centre was launched, with 23 students and three degree and diploma programmes in Theology, Social Work and Social Administration and Business Administration.

However, it is impossible to speak about the history of Arua Campus without mentioning Dr John Milton Anguyo, the first director of the campus, whose tenure ended on August 25, 2009.

“Upon completion of my PhD studies in 2002, I had a meeting with the Chancellor, the then Archbishop Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo, with whom I shared the idea of starting a regional study centre in West Nile.

“He was impressed by the idea and sent me to the then Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Noll, together with my dissertation and letter of introduction.

“After examining my resume and idea, Prof. Noll also deemed it strategic to start a campus in Arua,” he says.

In 2003, St. Paul’s Theological College changed status to become a campus of UCU.

An effigue that represents the university’s commitment to supporting girl child education

The campus has since expanded its programmes to diploma courses in Community Health, Education, and Project Planning and Management; and degree courses in Development Studies, Education, and Public A d m i n i s t r a t i o n and Management.

Day time teaching is conducted at Ringli and the evening sessions at Mvara Mission in Arua town.

The UCU Arua Campus was first the home of a Rural Trade School founded in 1959 by the African Inland Mission (AIM) under the leadership of Rev. Robert Booth.

Booth, a missionary from the USA, laid the foundation of this training institution at Ringli in the West Nile region of Uganda.

In the 1960s, the school became a Lugbara language Lay Readers’ Training College.

Later during the 1970s, the course was then taught in English. In 1978, a priests ordination course was started.

This was a residential training programme that allowed the students to come with their families.

For 25 years, this institution has been training spiritual leaders from Uganda and beyond.

Since its inception, the campus has had three directors: Rev Can Dr. John Milton Anguyo, who was succeeded by Christopher Yiiki and later Canon Feni Onzima in the interim before Canon Bob Betti Nzima was installed on June 12, 2016.

Piano, my true love

TIMOTHY ALFRED WANDABWA is a Business Computing graduate from Uganda Christian University (UCU). He is the sound technician at the university. This is the story of his journey and love for music, as told to Doreen Kajeru

Wandabwa plays the piano during the 2015 Chapel Choir reunion.

As early as six years of age, I loved l i s t e n i n g to music. I have always been drawn to crusades and concerts because of my desire to see people play musical instruments, especially the piano. Watching people quenched my curiosity but deepened my thirst to want play them myself. Back home and at school I always hit anything: table, bench or chair, imagining that it is a piano.

In my Primary Seven vacation, my father was transferred to St. Andrew’s Cathedral, in Mbale. During my secondary school studies at Mbale Senior Secondary School, I once went for a Scripture Union conference at Busoga College Mwiri and was inspired by fellow students who were playing the piano harmoniously.

After the camp I went to the cathedral to try out a melody I had listened to, “Trading my sorrows.” While I played, the choir director discovered my passion and taught me my first keyboard lesson.

Later I joined the Mission Choir as a strategy to access the piano but instead the director trained me in singing mostly and we only played the piano occasionally. After one year of training, I started to play during missions and ministry outreaches but never in the cathedral.

In Senior Two, I joined Holy Cross Lake View School. There I was able to sing and also play the piano during fellowships and Sunday services. During my free time I listened to different kinds of Christian music and tried to learn how to play them. Most of my learning was and has been by listening and watching people play.

Wandabwa strums the guitar during Christmas carols at UCU in his second year

During holidays I met with different people in Kampala and my target was to watch them play and learn a skill or two.

For my A-level, I joined Muljibhai Madhvani College, Wairaka. Here I was always given a leadership role of guiding the choir.

During my Senior Six vacation I worked as a trainer in the Compassion International children’s project, which sponsored my education.

I joined UCU in 2010, because I believed that it was the only university that would shape me into a better person in the aspect of ministry.

I joined the Chapel Choir and met friends with whom I share a passion for music. I used every opportunity: the music room, internet, and the easy access of music instruments to learn more and get better.

In second year I was selected as one of the music directors of the Chapel Choir.

This pushed me into yearning for perfection. I used my knowledge of the piano to play more instruments like the acoustic guitar, bass guitar and drums quite easily because the techniques are similar. I also picked specific interest in sound balance and output, guided by the then sound technician, Emmanuel Owot.

A music workshop was organized at campus and Roy Kaddu, a band leader at Watoto then, noticed my playing. Finally my dream of playing at Watoto, a big church, was set in motion but due to commitments at the university I did not get to play at Watoto soon.

After my graduation in 2013 I was asked to serve as acting music director at UCU. This gave me another challenge in my music path but I soldiered on.

A year later, I joined Watoto Church. The level of sound and harmony perfection at Watoto is immeasurable and I put in a lot of effort to measure up.

I am glad to have come this far on my music journey despite the fact that I have not gone through music school. My future plan is to study more about music.

Redeemed by the love for musical instruments

ARTHUR WATUULO, a graduate of Information Technology from Uganda Christian University, tells how the love for playing music instruments led to his salvation. The UCU call centre manager recently narrated to The Standard his great passion for musical instruments.

Watuuro strokes a guitar at a function (Courtesy Photo)

Born on April 04, 1991 to Dr Richard and Mrs Lydia Watuulo in Mbale District, Watuulo attended Nabumali Primary School.

“While in Primary Two I joined the choir. Then I went from singing to playing the xylophone, which was my favourite childhood instrument. I loved music so much that I failed a class because I attended all the practices, and participated in all concerts and competitions at the expense of my academics,” he said.

“However, I became an asset to my school because I always won competitions. At home, we were blessed with a neighbour that taught piano so in Primary Five, I took up piano lessons.”

He said that during his O-level studies at Nabumali High School, his passion for musical instruments grew.

“As fate would have it, the school purchased music instruments the year I joined. A condition was set that for one to be in charge of the instruments, one had to be born-again. Driven by my obsession, I became born-again and was put in charge.” 

“Being born-again did not mean anything to me, it was only a ticket to access and play instruments anytime. However, God had a better plan of transforming and molding me into a minister that would serve His people in spirit and in truth. Later when the Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF) Band visited our school, I made a true confession to salvation.”

Watuulo says that when he joined Mengo Senior School, his hero status was challenged by those who played the musical instruments much better than he did.

“I got jealous and decided to join them and learn how to play like they did and better. Our trainer, Daniel Sempereza who was the music director at UCU then, noticed me in high school and connected me to the UCU band while I was studying in Senior Six. So by the time I joined UCU I had the confidence and connections.”

Watuulo plays the piano, right, the drums

(Photos by Doreen Kajeru)

Exposure to the band enabled him to play professionally and he was equipped with the discipline of playing for ministry.

“Soon I was training whoever was interested in learning how to play instruments. Very many high class people call me to train their children and these relationships have humbled me. Alongside other duties, I am working with Pastor Wilson Bugembe; and I am daily encouraged to do what I love.”

Watuulo said that his dream is to reach greater heights and even play with Israel Houghton.

He added that he enjoys playing the keyboard, organ, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, recorder, the xylophone and drums, but the piano is his favourite.

“When I sit down to play the piano, I get lost in awe. The accomplishment is due to both skill, and anointing. When going into battle, you have to be prepared, thus the way one plays an instrument for ministry should not be the same way that one plays in a club or bar. People come to church with different problems, and your skill should enable them receive healing and relaxation.” 

Playing instruments has helped Watuulo raise capital for another business: setting up a video game centre. He set up a video game station in Mukono, which accommodates 12 people. His goal is to raise this to 50 or 100 play stations.

His future plans include starting a band and setting up a professional music studio.

“Currently though, I perform in churches, functions and parties with the Elgon Groove Band. But I will not stop until I get to where I want to be.

Alumnus reaping big from poultry farming

Kato inspecting his poultry farm in Kakoba, Mbarara Municipality (Photos by Zadock Amanyisa)

BY ZADOCK AMANYISA 

Mr Jacob James Kato, a graduate of Business Administration from Uganda Christian University (UCU) ventured into chicken rearing to support God’s ministry and feed the hungry.

The 24-year-old Kato, who majored in marketing, completed his studies in 2014 and was keen to put the knowledge into practice.

Kato hatched the idea of starting the poultry project with the aim of supporting God’s work.

“God’s work and ministry needs financing to reach out to many people, especially in areas like feeding the poor and supporting orphans,” he said.

“Although I did not have enough money to start the poultry project on the two-acre piece of land that we have in Mbarara, my family was supportive. My dad, Dr James Mugume, my mum Ms Christine Mugume and my brother Mr Atwine Mugume supported me and I work as the project manager.”

Kato said that he started off in one of his father’s buildings at Ultimate Hostels, near Bishop Stuart University in Mbarara municipality, and the ever increasing demand for the poultry products made growth possible.

“I began with capital worth Shs22 million and much of this money was spent on buying food needed by the birds in the first four months of their growth.”

Kato adds that he purchased about 1,000 birds from Mbarara town and started taking care of them. Soon the birds started laying eggs on a daily basis.

“The consumption of feeds by the birds was high but I was not disappointed by the returns. The more the birds laid eggs, the more trays of eggs I had to sell,” Kato boasts.

Getting returns 

At first Kato would sell a tray of eggs at Shs 7,500 but this has now increased to Shs 8.500.

He said that the 1,000 birds consume about 180 kilograms of maize bran per day if a farmer is to get eggs daily.

“I currently have up to 3,000 birds and I give them about 450 kg of feed on a daily basis, which seems expensive but I have to go on. I harvest a total of 88 trays every day,” Kato added.

The poultry farmer has also maintained a vaccination programme, which is provided and supported by the company that supplied him with the birds.

“The company gave me a booklet containing the vaccination procedure, types of vaccines and how to apply them.”

He went on to explain that vaccination is crucial to avoid diseases that the bird could suffer from time to time.

Challenges and control 

Kato said that the major challenges are diseases like Newcastle and coccodiosis; other diseases like Gumboro, diarhoea and butter foot have also caused Kato to lose about 50 birds in a period of one year.

Other challenges include price fluctuation, and the often increasing prices of feeds. The weather changes also affect the birds’ laying capacity, and sometimes inefficient medical services from service providers also lead to losses on the farm.

Kato’s farm has five full time workers that help in mixing feeds and water, making regular bird checking, collecting eggs, removing droppings and other duties as assigned to them.

“I am also mostly available on the farm to closely supervise what takes place here and ensure proper management,” he said.

Profits 

Kato was able to realize profits from his farm after a period of one year.

“Initially I used to go out into the community to look for market for my eggs but now I sit here and wait for buyers. That is good progress for me,” he said. “I am now able to get about Shs 10 million as my net profit per month. I share this with the family and take part of my share to the church to support God’s ministry,” he said.

He attributes his success to God and he said that without God one cannot do anything.

“I have conducted my business God’s way to serve different purposes and also reach out to the needy.”

He advises the youths to put God first because He is the foundation of everything. He also encourages them to not despise small beginnings but start small and aim for bigger things.

“I urge farmers to tithe because God is the source of every profit they realize in their businesses. You must give back to God in order to be successful and prosperous.”

Future plans 

Kato’s aim is to get his own piece of land in order to try his hand at other projects.

“With growth will come employment for more people especially the youth so that we tackle the unemployment problem, which has ravaged our society.”

Kakye’s love for turntables

“I escaped countless times from secondary school to go to night clubs. Strangely, unlike other nocturnals, I would not dance but rather spend time in the Deejay booth appreciating how they did their thing, KAKYE ALBERT alias “Alberto 43” confessed to The Standard. 

BY ALEX TAREMWA 

“It did not take long for me to get my hands on the decks. When my school, N y a k a y o j o Secondary School in Mbarara, procured an entertainment system for students it was a rare opportunity to kickstart my deejaying career,” he said.

In an interview held at the Desert Island Lounge, his current work station in Mbarara, Kakye walked in donning a checked shirt and a navy-blue pair of jeans.

“Too formal for a DJ,” I thought to myself. He grows his hair to a manageable height and wears a wide smile that exposes his broken front tooth. This time he didn’t have his usual cap on the head. 

Who is Albert Kakye? 

He was born on January 9, 1989 in Ruhaama, Ntungamo district to Rev. Canon Ronald Kakye and Night Kakye. He attended Mbarara Municipal School from nursery until Primary Six but soon he moved to Nyakayojo Primary School because his father had been transferred there, before joining Nyakayojo Secondary for O-level and Mbarara Modern School for A-level.

He joined Uganda Christian University (UCU) in 2010 to study Mass Communication but dropped out in the last semester due to tuition and family related problems.

Deejaying 

Although Kakye has a passion for machines and sound since childhood, he had no intentions of being a deejay to earn a living. He instead wanted to do it for the fun of it. Life took a different twist when his friends at UCU dragged him to Casablanca, a popular hangout in Mukono, and asked the manager to give him a job.

“They convinced the manager that I was good and I got a job immediately but on probation. First, he gave me Wednesday nights but when I passed, I moved to Friday nights,” he recalled.

Kakye would soon be invited irregularly to play at events, although for little pay, and he worked in the UCU sound room at Nkoyoyo Hall to raise part of his tuition. It was here that he encountered Emmanuel Owot, then a sound engineer whose lessons in sound management and balancing propelled Kakye to the top of his game.

Kakye has played at over 20 popular hangouts including Mist Bar in Kabale and Life Lounge in Kigali, Rwanda, where he travels every weekend.

“I work Monday to Monday but I enjoy it. I have two contracts here (Desert Island) and Mist Bar in Kabale and I have to deliver on both equally,” he said.

Despite the late nights, Kakye smiles all the way to the bank with an astonishing Shs2.5million every month, excluding the off book events he is invited to play at.

All is not well for him though. Being the son of cleric, public opinion has been quick to judge him because of his career path, which most argue is for the bayaye (crooks). His father in particular is not comfortable with his son bar-hopping every night.

Kakye though, is currently benchmarking to start a Deejaying academy to give professional training to youth who wish to join the trade after he personally re-joins university to study sound engineering.

For his work, Kakye has won the Blink Media DJ of the year award twice in a row (2015 and 2016) and the Royal Events DJ of the year for 2015. He has secured a plot of land on which he plans to build a house and settle with his family. 

Away from the both, Kakye is a part-time farmer, music critic and parent. He and Ronah Akandinda, whom he met while at Mbarara Modern School, have a son, Rodney Atukunda who will be two years in September.

His advice to students is not to “sit” on their talents but rather develop them by constant practice and determination.

“I do not understand why someone would do something they do not love or why one would sit on their talent. The moment you realise you have a passion or talent for something, give it your best. it will not let you down,” he concluded.

The humbling journey of BBUC’s Principal

Rugyendo shares the order of service book with the Vice Chancellor, Dr. John Senyonyi

Rugyendo addressing students at a recent graduation ceremony

Rev. Dr Medard Rugyendo is the current principal of Bishop Barham University College (BBUC), Kabale.

He met with The Standard ’s Alex Taremwa for the interview at White Horse Inn on one of an hills in Kabale town, soon after the college’s graduation ceremony held on February 26.

The writer started by reminding him of the time when the Reverend prayed for him in his office, while he was the dean of the Faculty of Education and Arts at the main campus.

Having been recommended to him in a letter by Prof. Dr Monica Chibita, the head of Mass Communication as a financially needy student, Rugyendo had invited Alex, through a phone call to his office on a hot Friday afternoon, and prayed for him.

As he saw Alex off he had said: “Don’t embarrass me Alex.”

Alex had promised him that was never going to happen, and now as he conducted the interview he hoped this would be a chance to prove that to the Reverend.

Early Life: 

Medard Rugyendo was born in Nyabushabi, Kyanamira Sub-country in Ndorwa, Kabale District. He was raised in Kabale and studied at Nyamwerambiko Primary School, Kabale, before joining Makobore High School in 1983.

Due to travel complications as the school was in Rukungiri District, Rugyendo had to make a U-turn to his home district, Kabale, where he joined Kigezi College Butobere from Senior Two to Senior Four and then later to Kigezi High School for A-level.

He proceeded to Makerere University where he studied Religious Studies. He was afterwards employed as a tutorial assistant in the same department discipline before he enrolled for a Master’s in the same discipline after which he was appointed a teaching assistant.

“You know Makerere had various stages before one became a lecturer or senior lecturer. So I was first a tutorial assistant, teaching assistant and then assistant lecturer when I completed my Master’s,” he narrated.

Later, Rugyendo enrolled for a postgraduate Diploma in Education, majoring in Religious Education and History before enrolling for a PhD in 1989 which he completed in three years.

“I begrudgingly studied for my PhD to fulfill the requirement at Makerere that one would not be a lecturer unless they had a PhD, but eventually God sustained me and I made it,” he reminisces with a smile.

Over the years, Rugyendo has worked as a teacher in several schools and colleges, and is also a volunteer chaplain of Mulago Hospital. He is also the chairman of the Board of Governors, Kigezi High School.

His time at UCU: 

Since 1998, Rugyendo was a part-time lecturer at Uganda Christian University, although he was still at Makerere University. Between 2002 and 2003 he did a postgraduate Diploma in Christian Ministry at UCU after which he was ordained as a priest, a desire he had harboured since childhood.

In 2010, Rugyendo joined UCU on a full time basis as head of the Department of Education and at the same time dean of Education and Arts. He served in this capacity until July 2015 when he was appointed the third principal of Bishop Barham University College, Kabale, a constituent college of UCU, an office he took over on October 31.

Life’s challenges: 

Asked about the major challenges he has encountered in life, Rugyendo who received Christ on November 6, 1976 and was nurtured by the Brethren of the East African Revival, says the Lord has been good to him.

“I can’t claim there are major regrets in life. The mistakes are mine but the Lord has been good. I survive by repenting daily and continuing to live by God’s grace. Of course I can’t claim to be perfect but the Lord has been good,” he says.

Research, publications: 

Rugyendo argues that due to the competitiveness of education in Uganda, the growth of the university cannot be dependent on student tuition fees alone.

He is therefore focused on promoting research and publications amongst his staff in addition to writing competent research grants that can attract funding for the university.

“The enrolment at the university is currently low and we are faced with a challenge of marketing in order to attract and increase student numbers,” he said.

“Most importantly, I am dedicated to promoting quality assurance as a mechanism to have better recruitment and remuneration of staff members so as to have better productivity.”

“People come and teach at times when they don’t qualify to do so. But slowly we are encouraging them to study PhD courses so that the services they render to the university are better and better,” he explains.

The 16th Graduation group, for example, had only two first class degree graduates.

Although this could be attributed to the less number of graduands in the Easter Semester, Rugyendo adds that getting a first-class, however commendable an achievement, is not a matter to worry about as room for improvement is always available.

He further told The Standard that although it would be his intention to retain the first class graduates as staff, it is a challenge when the establishment is already full as it is at BBUC.

“Getting a first-class doesn’t mean that person should teach. They might be interested in something else. And first class doesn’t necessarily translate in good work performance or a high level of intelligence. I’m not saying people shouldn’t work for them but through experience, we shouldn’t worry when we have few,” he adds.

Rugyendo succeeded Prof. Manuel Muranga who is remembered for promoting the development of local languages during his time of service as he established a Master’s in Language Development and Translation at the university.

During his tenure, Rugyendo says he will put special emphasis on research, publication, marketing and promotion of the university to increase student enrolment. He is married to Margaret and together they have six adopted children.

Obituary: Rest in eternal peace Mrs Kilonsi Nyakoojo

 

BY DR. ANTHONY C.K. KAKOOZA 

When a eulogy is made, it often states nice things about the deceased, and the bad things are left out. However, with Mrs Kobusinge Kilonsi Nyakoojo, that will not be the case because there is truly nothing negative that was associated with her.

“Kobs”, as she was fondly referred to by all that knew her, was a wonderful person. Her big, beautiful eyes ensured that whenever she spoke, she commanded attention.

She was born on January 9, 1979 to Mr and Mrs Kilonsi. She attended Buganda Road Primary School, Mt St Mary’s Namagunga for her entire secondary education. She then joined Makerere University for a Bachelor of Laws degree.

Thereafter, she undertook a Diploma in Legal Practice at the Law Development Centre and followed it up with a Master of Laws from Dundee University in the United Kingdom.

I personally got to know her in 1998 during her first year of Law School at Makerere University. At the time I was in my third year of the Law School.

A few of my classmates used to invite me regularly to the Law School Scripture Union fellowships and that is where I became acquainted with Kobs. She was also a classmate and close friend to my wife Lydia, who I was just warming up to at the time. It is mainly on account of this friendship with Lydia that I continued to associate with Kobs even after our Law School. I was, therefore, thrilled when she joined us at the UCU Faculty of Law as a lecturer in 2010.

She had a wonderful, loving heart. This was evident in her association with people. During our Faculty Board meetings at the start of every semester, she was normally the one to advocate for finding ways to help academically weak students. She always wanted to offer assistance to those in a desperate situation. It is no wonder that the law student community cherished her a great deal.

Unfortunately, she became afflicted with an auto-immune disease that led to her spleen destroying her blood. The condition necessitated occasional trips to hospitals for blood transfusions. She first informed me of this condition at the start of the 2015 academic year and various faculty members started praying for her.

At around the same time, the condition worsened and she was admitted to Mulago Hospital. Although she improved after a while, her platelet count went down to zero as her blood was not clotting, which led to internal bleeding specifically in the brain. When this happened she was placed in the Intensive Care Unit at the International Hospital Kampala (IHK). She went through a number of surgeries to remove the spleen and stop the bleeding but unfortunately on Friday morning, February 5, she breathed her last. She was laid to rest in Isagara, Masindi.

Kobs is survived by a loving husband, Dr Ronnie Nyakoojo, to whom she got married in 2010, and two young children, Heather and Joshua.

She ran a good race and fought a good fight during the 37 years of her life. I am more than certain that she has secured herself a place in the Heavenly Kingdom.

The writer is the Law Faculty Dean