1,992 new students have been registered

Students of the Faculty of Social Sciences being inducted during the service in Nkoyoyo Hall on September 22 (Photo by Bright Niwaha)

BY DOREEN KAJERU AND AGATHA MUHAISE

This Advent Semester, Uganda Christian University has registered 1,992 new students. Of these, 1,644 were admitted for the undergraduate programmes at Mukono campus while 264 were admitted at Kampala campus.

Eighty-four students were admitted for postgraduate studies, and a total of 3,424 continuing students have been recorded in the registration of the new and continuing students that started on August 31.

Mrs Christa Oluka, the Admissions and Students’ Records manager, has informed The Standard that this semester’s student registration shows a 0.7% increase in the expected number of students registered, compared to last year, September.”

The undergraduate courses have registered students in the faculties of Business and Administration, Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Science and Technology, Law, Education and Arts and the Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology.

Postgraduate students have registered in all the faculties except Law.

 

The induction

On the September 22, these new students were inducted at Nkoyoyo Hall, Mukono campus.

During the service, Dr John Senyonyi, the vice chancellor of UCU, delivered a sermon entitled “Intellect as God’s image in me” drawn from Genesis 1:26-31.

Senyonyi took his congregation back to the beginning, when God made man in his own image. He said that unlike animals, people have a spiritual, moral, relational, physical and most importantly intellectual likeness to God.

“It is because of this replicationthatwehave an incalculable worth as human beings, and that is why abortion is evil, because it fails to acknowledge the image of God in whatever form it may be,” Senyonyi explained.

He told the students that the intellectual element in humans is the reason they are at the university and their duty is to sharpen it.

“The worst thing you can do is to send your intellect to sleep by engaging in acts that do not build it, like alcoholism,” he told the gathering that included freshmen, continuing students, deans of faculties and heads of various departments.

Was culling monkeys in the university a necessary evil?

Monkeys play on the fence at one of the residences in the university. (Photos by Doreen Kajeru)

BY DOREEN KAJERU

In email was sent to the Uganda Christian University (UCU) community, informing them that a monkey culling exercise would carried out, last month.

The university has for a very long time harboured the monkeys, thanks to the many trees on the campus. The animals were often seen jumping onto and out of trees, running through the compounds and gardens, eating fruits and playing with people, especially children.

As the monkey population increased, however, their presence became both a source of joy and amazement for some and a distraction and cause of discomfort for others.

According to the Deputy Vice Chancellor External Relations, Mr David Mugawe, the Facilities and Capital Projects team have for over a year received complaints and concerns from the community regarding the increasing number of monkeys on campus, and their related risks.

“The pointed-out incidences included aggressive tendencies of chasing ladies and children,” he said.

“The monkeys would pluck and bite some fruits and later drop them. The children were seen picking up these fruits and eating them. This poses a risk of transmitting some diseases through sharing fruits with the monkeys.”

He added that while sharing garden food with the monkeys is fine, the animals were destructive to crops, leading to harvest loss.

When the pest control office of Mukono District was consulted, they confirmed that monkeys were one of the vermin under their jurisdiction to control.

“Subsequently, the district vermin control officer visited the campus and studied the behaviour and movement patterns of the monkeys. He recommended that the population of the monkeys should be controlled,” Mr Mugawe said.

Health and safety committee

The health and safety committee of UCU said that they are mindful the safety and wellness of the community.

“The presence of monkeys in such a big population of people caused a threat. It was a necessary exercise for the safety and wellbeing of the community,” said Dr Edward Mukooza, the chairperson of the committee.

“The Uganda Wildlife Authority(UWA)was contacted years ago to fetch the monkeys but all efforts were futile. Due to the fact that there are no predators in the area, their multiplication

effect is uninterrupted. Therefore,thecommittee consulted the pest control office of Mukono District, which classified and confirmed monkeys as pests in the community that had to be controlled.”

Dr Mukooza added that the pest control office has the right technical people qualified to do the job, mindful of the fact that there are people living in the community.

“The monkeys were in their hundreds, a cause for worry! We did not cull them out of irresponsibility or bad intentions but rather out of concern for public health.

“Monkeys have been associated with the spread of zoonotic diseases like rabies. So, we thought it smarter to be proactive rather than reactive,” he said.

He added that two families on campus had reported to the committee about experiences of aggressiveness of monkeys towards children and there was a concern that it could get worse and thus needed action.

“There were over 100 monkeys here. I thus advise the community to keep a distance from them because if any zoonotic epidemic hits us through these animals, many people would be affected.

“As a committee, we continue to follow up the UWA to ensure that the monkeys are transferred because they are not domestic animals and may harm the community,” he concluded.

Reinvent your future, says Babirye

Babirye performs one of her songs as the students record videos and take photos in Nkoyoyo Hall. (Photo by Doreen Kajeru) 

BY DOREEN KAJERU

“You each have the potential to be greater than your past. Your future shall be bigger and brighter if you set out to work hard, hold onto your principles and pursue your set goals.”

This was the advice Judith Babirye, the renowned gospel artist and Woman MP for Buikwe District, gave to students during the mentoring night of the Uganda Young Women Leaders Network, CEDA International, on September 22. Babirye was the guest speaker that night on the theme “Emotionail Intelligence.”

“Use every opportunity well and focus on the goals you set for your education at the university and for life after,” she added.

She drew examples from her life and urged the youth to be determination if they are to achieve the best out of everything.“Be prepared and on the lookout for whatever seems to be a ladder to your progress. Do not let opportunity find you unprepared because it will not return. It willbegone!”shesaid.

Babirye also addressed issues of sexual purity, and urged the students, both female and male, to respect and honour their bodies. “This will keep you away from unplanned pregnancies, contracting sexually transmitted diseases, early marriages and losing focus of your targets.

“Some of you think you are either too beautiful or too ugly to work hard. No matter how you were created, it is in God’s image. So do not mind what the society says about you. Work towards your future!’’ she told the students.

 

She then fielded questions ranging from her personal life to how she manages to balance work in a ‘parliament perceived as corrupt’.

“I did not know that this lady was vibrant and passionate about the youth. She is down to earth and knowledgeable. I have been blessed,” one of the students who attended the meeting said. Another said: “I danced with Judith on the same platform! It is like a dream come true. I just cannot believe it!”

The students were treated to a music performance by the artiste. She sang some of her hits including Amanyi, Ennamba yange, Kaawonawo and Favour. Babirye has won several awards including best gospel single in the 2006 Pearl of Africa Music Awards, with the highest hit of that year, “Beera nange”.

The smart way to find lost gadgets

BY JIMMY MAWERERE

Have you ever returned home,

extremely exhausted, and you just drop your gadgets, or keys anywhere? Ever gone shopping in the big malls, only to exit from a different route and you cannot remember where you parked your car?

Well, help is at hand – and it is not in the form of the expensive global positioning systems (GPS)

or radio triangulation! The GPS tracking systems are expensive and must be installed by experts, who are not readily available in your neighbourhood. And they are not mostly accurate and reliable in countries with low technology Welcome to the simple, small, and cheap device known as the TrackR. This small device, with advanced tracking applications,works with Android phones. Most smart phones in Uganda run on the Android software.

After acquiring the device, download a free application on your Android or iPhone and then attach the device to anything you would like to track. You can attach this device to your luggage, wallet, car keys or any other valuable asset.

Unlike the GPS, the TrackR does not require subscription to the GPS. It has a non-limited life span, as long you replace the batteries periodically.

The device works in two ways; it can locate other devices using your phone, and it can also be used to A phone user linking the phone and keys for future tracking locate your iPhone or your ring, wherever it is located.

It is manufactured for comfort as it comes with two sided tape that you can stick to any flat surface. This device will this by double pressing the for comfort as it comes definitely make locating device and the phone will with two sided tape that your objects easy and fun.

Art students put best foot forward

BY DOREEN KAJERU

On August 15, Industrial and Fine Art students under the Faculty of Education and Arts started a three-day exhibition in which they displayed the artistic and creative works they did throughout the semester.

Senyonyi engages in a discussion with students about their work as Kayamba looks on (Photos by Doreen Kajeru)

The exhibition included various work pieces under fashion and style, ceramics, painting and sculpture, among other themes. Considering the diverse ideas , different settings were used to clearly represent the pieces of work. Fashion and interior works were staged in home settings, and the paintings and sculpture were in an art gallery setting.

Various materials were used for different pieces. For fashion and interior, porcupine thorns, fabric, sisal, lamps, and mannequins were used depending on one’s preference and style. Oil paint brushes, boards, clay and sand, among others, were mainly used for the painting and sculpture pieces .

The Head of Department, Dr William Kayamba , said that despite the challenges faced during the preparation of the exhibition, it turned out better than the previous one of 2015.

“The students tried their best to present great pieces despite the delayed delivery of materials. The requisition for materials was made to the procurement office earlier this year, in the month of April, but the materials were delivered weeks to the exhibition, in August. But the students put in their best effort and resources, even before the materials came in, to produce what they had in the limited time they had,” Kayamba said.

Many of the students that The Standard talked to said that would have done better but the materials were delivered later than expected and so they worked with less material.

Further, the students voiced concern over the number of course units and the amount of work they are expected to produce.

“We could have achieved much more if we were not congested with so many course units at the same time. With ten course units, you find yourself doing everything with mediocrity instead of concentrating on specific relevant course units,” one student said.

“We are also subjected to lecturers’ instructions and ideas, yet most times we want to be given the chance to explore, be self-motivated and creative,” another student said.

Different designs of lamps made for the interior. Below, a chair made out of polythene and mesh

The Vice Chancellor, Dr John Senyonyi, was impressed with the exhibited work.

“This is great work. I am surprised it has all been done here,” he said.

He urged the head of department and lecturers to come up with a business plan that includes what can be done to empower creativity to help the students and the university earn from the work produced.

“We need to find ways of reducing dependency on students’ tuition, and this is one of them. We should also come up with plans to have a permanent exhibition ground that would serve as an art gallery.”

He commended the students’ effort, creativity and passion for the work done.

WHAT THE EXHIBITORS SAY: 

Brian Wandera 

“I draw inspiration from daily life and I am drawn to protecting the environment. The materials I use are things that would otherwise destroy the environment if not properly disposed of, such as polythene bags, plastic, bottle tops, metal and gauze, among others.”

Winnie Nadunga 

“I draw my strength and inspiration from my mother who has raised me into an African woman that she too is. I am very good at it and growing better each day with so many blossoming ideas. I plan on opening a workshop later on.”

John Bosco Kawuka 

“I did internship in painting and sculpture but also picked on fashion. My paintings are a representation of the slavery that Africans were subjected to in the hard earlier times. They picked cotton, moved long distances in chains and encountered various other challenges.”

Words of Hope Ministries marks ten years of service

The board members of Words of Hope Ministries cut the cake to mark the ten years annivesary (Photo by Doreen Kajeru)

“There is still spiritual emptiness. The only thing that can turn this country into a God-fearing nation is the spreading of the gospel,” said the Executive Director of Words of Hope Ministries, Canon Captain Titus Baraka.

While speaking at the commemoration of ten years of the ministry in Uganda, on July 12, Canon Baraka said that the media should be aggressively used in order to capture the attention of people in the world, especially the youth.

“Words of Hope is committed to producing Christian character and commitment, nurture and disciple people, counsel and empower church leaders and also create relationships among all Bible believing denominations.

“We are also concerned about parenting and marriage based on Biblical foundation and will not hesitate to guide the flock about it,” he said at a function at Rest Gardens in Bweyogerere.

The Chairman, Words of Hope Ministries, Rt Rev Samuel Steven Kazimba, appreciated the ministry members for their efforts and contributions, and urged them to make a commitment to continuously pray for the ministry.

“It is with prayer that all will flourish. And given the economic, spiritual, social and political dynamics of our times, we have to use new tools to spread the gospel. If we stick to the old tools, we shall not grow the church,” he said.

He noted that radio was a great avenue for spreading the gospel and fulfilling the Great Commission, and requested members to double the efforts towards accomplishing this.

“Psalm 126 is a good reflection on our history and future. I urge you to trust God more because He does great things for those that believe and endure,” Kazimba concluded.

The UCU representative, Deputy Vice Chancellor Development and External Relations, Mr David Mugawe, pledged continuous and consistent support to the ministry. He encouraged each and everyone to play their part and leave the rest to God.

Words of Hope Ministries started operations in June, 2006 in conjunction with Mukono Diocese and has since spread to 13 dioceses in Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan. In Uganda it operates in Mbale, Lango, Ruwenzori, Masindi Kitara, Northern Uganda, Ankole, Sebei, Nebbi, and Kinkizi, among others. 

Its vision is to build the Church of Christ worldwide through broadcasting. Its mission is to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ through radio, to the people of Uganda and neighbouring countries.

In Uganda, the ministry’s radio programmes are broadcast on Elgon FM, Sun FM, Kabarole Research Centre, Signal FM, Mbale FM, Messiah FM, Namirembe FM, Spirit FM, and others.

Mind your computer

Coffee spills on a computer. This is very harmful to your computer (Internet photo)

BY DOREEN KAJERU

The personal computer (PC) is now assisting us in many tasks at work, school or home.

With the PC on your desk, you can reach all the corners of the world, do business, arrange events, make friends and so many other eventful and important things However, if not used wisely and with care, value for the purchase may be lost.

First of all, one needs to know that despite being a machine and not a living thing, a computer ought to be taken care of. So, precautions like covering it when not in use to prevent dust build-up are essential.

If it is a laptop, get a bag or cover for it. This also helps prevent breakage of the screen and the internal system in case of a fall. 

Liquids should be kept away from the computer because they may cause damage to the internal system when they spill on it.

Know the battery of your computer and study its consumption trend. This will assist you to know when to charge and help you plan for the tasks to be done.

Commanding a computer to perform several tasks at once makes it slower and sometimes causes it to freeze. Therefore, do not confuse your computer; give it commands in an orderly manner.

A computer is a machine but it needs rest too. When used for a long time, it heats up. So give it a break often and do not use it endlessly.

Finally, at the end of a long day’s work, you just want to shut down and run off! Avoid this because all the programmes will still be open in the task bar. So, take time and save your documents, close all programmes that have been in use and shut down properly. This helps the computer refresh, and be ready for the next day’s work.

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.

Respect our Christian identity – Senyonyi

BY DOREEN KAJERU 

The Vice Chancellor , Dr John Senyonyi has cautioned the UCU community about disrespecting the university’s Christian identity. During community worship in Nkoyoyo Hall on June 14, he said that all worship in the university is and should be overseen and coordinated by the chaplaincy.

“Other forms of worship that are not bound by the university guidelines will not be accepted.”

He added that admitting students from different religions did not mean granting the right to exercise different ways of worship at the university.

“It is a matter of respecting one another, this is also done in other religion based universities, so respect our identity,” he said.

He added that the freedom of worship is not the same as freedom to intrude on other people’s rights, so the Christian identity of UCU should not be disrespected.

“People of different religious affiliations and denominations should find places outside the university to worship, not within the university. There are many places around: mosques and churches surrounding the university, you can worship there,” he said.

The Chaplain, Rev. Rebecca Nyegenye, said that any activity or form of worship that undermines the Christian identity of the university will not be tolerated.

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.