Public Relations Office

February 10, 2022ByPublic Relations OfficeNews & Updates

BBUC-UCU Conducts Leadership Training for Guild leaders 2022

Uganda Christian University Bishop Barham University Under the office of the dean of Students has to day the 10th/02/2022 conducted Leadership training for guild leaders. This was intended to equip them with knowledge that allows them to assess their decisions and examine their work. During the training that was held in the University Old Chapel .Leaders got the chance of exploring more on the Organization structure of the university, Students leadership and Academic performance, Students code of conduct and Budgeting.

In his remarks the university college secretary Mr. Ivan Habaasa encouraged student leaders to advocate and maintain peace having the fear of God as their daily guide while exercising their duties.

The College principle Mr. Aggrey Yesigomwe applauded students for the kind of leadership they have exhibited so far and encouraged them to keep the candle on fire. He encouraged them to keep in good books with the entire Administration for better service delivery knotting that two cannot move in the same direction unless they have agreed. The principle BBUC promised total support during their reign as guild leaders in his final remarks.

H.E Amos Nomwesigwa appreciated the entire administration through the office of the dean of students for the desire that they have to see their student leaders performing to the best with in the right procedures. He cautioned his fellow leaders to be diligent as they serve fellow students for many are the expectations that they have in them. He called upon them to be servant leaders and humble throughout their leadership time at BBUC.H.E Amos requested administration to be more supportive to them for the students demands are high though they can’t be meant at ago. He promised total support in return to BBUC community as the guild president and placed all his plans in the palm of God for implementation.

February 9, 2022ByPublic Relations Officecurrent affairs, News & Updates

Venerable Gaddie Akanjuna Elected next Bishop of Kigezi Diocese

The Venerable Gaddie Akanjuna has been elected the next Bishop of Kigezi Diocese. He will be consecrated and enthroned as Bishop on 26th June 2022 at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Rugarama. He will succeed the Rt. Rev. George Bagamuhunda.

Ven. Akanjuna was born 10th August 1962. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Diploma of Theology from Uganda Christian University, and a Certificate in Theology from Bishop Barham Divinity College.

Ven. Akanjuna born again in 1988. At the time, he was very sick, and the Lord convicted him and said, “If you die, you will not be accepted into eternity.” He said, “I knew that I needed to repent of my immorality and sins.” The following Sunday, he said, “I went to our local church and made an open confession before the congregation. The day I confessed my sins, I experienced joy that I had never experienced. Jesus Christ totally changed me.”

Ven. Akanjuna is currently serving as an Archdeacon, based at All Saints’ Church, Kabale. He has served in several Archdeaconries as an Archdeacon, as a parish priest, and as a Teacher.

Ven. Akanjuna is married to Jackline Charity and the Lord has blessed them with children.

The election was made by the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda sitting at Lweza Training and Conference Centre on 9th February 2022.

February 8, 2022ByPublic Relations OfficeNews & Updates

Bishop Barham University College-UCU Bids Farewell to two Senior Staff Members

On Friday 4^th Feb 2022, two senior staff of Bishop Barham University College retired from active university service.

Rev.Canon Gideon Kwizera Chaplain UCU-BBUC and Ven.Adonia Bahugukire Academic Registrar BBUC have both officially retired from active service.

Rev.Canon Gideon Kwizera Joined BBUC in 2004 as a Greek lecturer for one year,He was later employed as the Chaplain of BBUC since then up to 2022.

He hands over the mantle to Rev. Moses Agaba who will be in acting capacity till further notice. He served this institution for a period of 17 years which he applauds God fo.

During his tenure as the chaplain, Rev.Gideon conducted religious worship, performed spiritual functions associated with religious faith, and aided in the spiritual well-being of the congregation. He appreciates BBUC Community for the support accorded to him during his time of service as the chaplain of BBUC while he waved his last as the chaplain.

Venerable Adonia Bahugukire the outgoing Academic Registrar in his remarks appreciated BBUC Community for being the best team he could ever ask for during his reign as the Academic registrar and Head of Theology Department.

Venerable first served as the Head of Theology Department for 3 years and 1 year as the Academic Registrar.He retires with joy saying that he will miss the company, love and the care from this community. Bishop Barham University College will forever be my home he said.Rev.Adonia Hands over to Mrs.Catherine Mastiko as the Acting Academic Registrar.

In his remarks the principal Bishop Barham University College Mr. Aggrey Yesigomwe said the two senior Clergy have served the University faithfully reciting that they have been role models especially to the students who have been training to join the church ministry, He reminded them that their input in the training will never be forgotten.

He bade them farewell with the Psalm 119:16 “I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.”

On behalf of BBUC he wished them the best in their next Journey of life as they retire and urged them to continue doing Gods’ Ministry.

January 20, 2022ByPublic Relations OfficeAlumni

UCU alumna’s film makes mark at international film festivals

By Eriah Lule
Miika is a 14-year-old fictional character living in northern Uganda. As the story goes, her family had enough of the tyranny of the government forces and she took matters into her hands to save the day.

This 3D short animated film by the same name as the main character, “Miika,” is the darling of international film festivals and written and directed by Uganda Christian University (UCU) alum Shevon Nsiimenta. Already, it has won the Best Animation Film Category at the CineOdyssey Film Festival.

And that is not all. Nsiimenta says her film that lasts a little over five minutes has received a nomination at two other festivals, was a finalist at the Auber International Film Festival and also got an Official Selection at yet another festival – the Flickfair Film Festival.

At the Los Angeles International Film Festival, Nsiimenta was a nominee for the Best First Time Female Director, and her film, “Miika,” got a nomination for the Best Animation Film. All this is happening before the film hits the cinemas. Nsiimenta says it should be released soon.

Shevon Nsiimenta, UCU alum and film maker.

The inspiration for Nsiimenta’s storyline is from the experience of watching or hearing about women and children who always end up as the primary victims of war and tyranny. And Uganda has lots of tales to tell about civil strife and tyrannical regimes.

From 1986 to 2006, there was civil war in northern Uganda, orchestrated by the Lord’s Resistance Army, a rebel group and terrorist organization. As a result of the war, many women in northern Uganda suffered rape, torture, murder, forced marriages and domestic violence.

The regime of former Ugandan President Idi Amin, which was from 1971 to 1979, has been largely described as tyrannical. It is, therefore, not surprising that Nsiimenta’s film is set in northern Uganda during the reign of Amin.

Since Nsiimenta loves movies, it became the natural medium for her to use to document the haunting tales and offer lessons on how one can easily see the back of the resulting trauma.

Despite the haunting tale of desperation that Miika’s family faced, Nsiimenta explains that she wanted to pass a message that no matter the number of horrors an individual faces, they can always turn tables on the oppressors.

“I chose a 14-year-old to deliver the family from its horrors because at that age, they are still innocently bold enough to take on the world,” says Nsiimenta, a 25-year-old graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Communication at UCU.

Miika is a short form for Malaika – a name that means Angel in Uganda.

“Indeed, I wanted Miika to be the angel for her family,” Nsiimenta, a scriptwriter, explains.

Perhaps, the success that “Miika” has so far achieved would not have been possible without the contribution of Kemiyondo Coutinho, a Ugandan playwright, actress and filmmaker based in Los Angeles.

In 2020, Kemiyondo launched an initiative to help up-and-coming Ugandan female filmmakers to bring their stories to life on screen. In a venture that saw her look to raise over $25,000 to be shared among five women to help facilitate the making of a five-minute short film, Kemiyondo reached well-wishers who were able to answer positively to her cause. That is how the production of “Miika” and other four short films got financed.

Nsiimenta is the daughter of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Sheldon Mwesigwa, the Bishop of Ankole Diocese in western Uganda and former Chairperson of UCU University Council. She attended Mbarara Preparatory School in western Uganda, before relocating to central Uganda, where she attended Kampala Parents School, Gayaza High School and, later, UCU. Nsiimenta says UCU instilled in her a sense of discipline, self-respect and smartness, virtues she has found useful in her professional and personal life.

But she also had something to learn from those who taught her. “I also had admirable women to look up to in my faculty. Prof. Monica Chibita and Dr. Emilly Maractho served as wonderful examples to base my image on at the workplace,” she says.

She currently works as the Executive Advertising Assistant at Roofings Uganda Limited, a manufacturer of steel and construction materials in Uganda.

January 19, 2022ByPublic Relations Officeacademics, Education, News & Updates

UCU helps Christian primary-secondary schools with e-learning

By Ian Asabo
The Uganda Christian University (UCU) e-learning candle is spreading its light to other institutions in the country. Among the recent beneficiaries is Greenhill Academy, a group of Christian-founded primary and secondary schools in Kampala. Leaders from the Academy met with UCU e-learning staff for a virtual learning seminar in December 2021.

During the UCU visit, Greenhill Academy officials gained a better understanding of how UCU accommodated learners virtually during the Covid-19 lockdown when in-person learning was halted in the country. Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020, Uganda has had two lockdowns, with some classes remaining closed to in-person learning from March 2020 to December 2021.

Greenhill Academy Rector Joy Veronica Maraka led the Academy’s staff who attended the seminar. The head of the UCU Online Distance Learning Department, the Rev. Jessica Hughes, provided insight into how classes are taught on the platforms, highlighting how the switch to online classes has improved her work. She said students prefer having small assessments, which makes it easier to track their progress during the semester.

“Online classes have provided flexibility in the way lectures are conducted because they can evaluate students through small quizzes and assignments, which enables critical thinking,” she told the delegation from Greenhill Academy.

The Rev. Dr. Hughes proposed the evaluation of students on a “more regular basis through videos, quizzes and questions that allow for more critical thinking to eliminate the aspect of cramming.”

During UCU’s 22nd graduation ceremony on October 22, 2021, Uganda’s First Lady and education minister, Mrs. Janet Museveni, said she was impressed by UCU’s “robust online education programme” and encouraged the university to share best practices with other institutions.

UCU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, the Rev. Dr. John Kitayimbwa, who also attended the seminar, said the university was ready to partner with Greenhill Academy.

“This is a great opportunity to find ways of changing the way teaching is conducted,” Kitayimbwa said, encouraging Greenhill Academy to take the lead and show other schools that online learning is the way to go and that with it, “the possibilities of learning are endless.”

Kitayimbwa said the university has invested a lot in the networking, IT department and library database, which work in unison to provide a seamless experience for students. The university has invested about sh1.4b ($395,000) on e-learning, management information systems and networking, Kitayimbwa said.

Recently, UCU Partners donated $50,000 (about sh170m) to the university to help it expand the e-learning platform. Mark Bartels, UCU Partners executive director, said the organization contributed the funds following a call by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, for external funders to support the eLearning infrastructure.

Greenhill Academy Rector Joy Veronica Maraka thanked UCU for hosting them, stating that they will “pick ideas from the session and follow in the footsteps of UCU in evolving education in Uganda.”

At a virtual dialogue held in August 2021 to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on education institutions in Uganda, Mushengyezi advised institutions to consider a rigorous shift towards online distance learning and service delivery, so that future lockdowns do not affect operations and learning.

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