MUKONO:
Church of Uganda Bishops have today held an interactive engagement with Senior Management of Uganda Christian University ahead of the official opening of the 26th Provincial Assembly slated for tomorrow, 24th August 2022 in the same University.
According to the Chairperson of the University Council, Rt Rev Prof Alfred Olwa, the meeting was set up as an accountability forum where Bishops receive an update from the University but also to assess the extent to which Bishops and their respective Dioceses have supported the Provincial University.
He informed Bishops that the University Council was gratified to learn of a number of University operations that were moved online during the lockdown which allowed for uninterrupted business continuity of the University.
He noted that the foresight of UCU Management in investing in e-learning and online services like library services positioned the University in an advantaged position to mitigate the effects of the lockdown to her teaching and learning.
He further disclosed that the University currently boasts of over 250,000 electronic books, journal articles and reference materials that can be accessed by all registered students from anywhere and at any given time.
About admissions and graduations, Bishop Olwa said all these were held virtually and because of their success, the University also developed an online voting system known as e-Chagua which enabled students to register, campaign and vote online.
The Vice Chancellor, Associate Professor Aaron Mushengyezi gave a status report of the University and the milestones registered despite the hard-hitting effects of COVID-19.
Notable achievements include; Campus infrastructure improvement and renovations, establishment of Mbale University College Kapchorwa Campus, winning various national and international accolades, establishing an e-Campus, professional training of church workers, expanding the University’s accommodation facilities to Besania Hill through a partnership agreement they signed with Ankrah Foundation, contributing to the Church House love gift campaign, among other achievements.
He noted that through the Church Relations Department, UCU is intentionally strengthening its relationship with the Dioceses through offering tuition support to two Clergy or Ordinands per diocese per year, setting up a fund to support clergy children at UCU with tuition support, short outreach courses for Clergy and Church workers and construction of the Ordinands’ apartments, a project to be funded from UCU Sunday collections.
The Archbishop of Church of Uganda and Chancellor of the University, The Most Rev Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu commended the University management for ably leading the University to excel and register commendable achievements in the most difficult times.
He called upon Bishops to support their own university especially through UCU Sunday which will be on 25th September 2022 to mobilize for prayer and financial support towards various programs at the University.
