One On one with VC

UMU spotlight caught up with the vice chancellor of UMU Rt. Prof John Chrysostom Maviiri.

By Sam Muhindo

The mood in the office is very jovial that he cannot hold to express his satisfaction so far with the members of UMU spotlight who have taken up the responsibility of becoming the ears and eyes of UMU: he wishes nothing else but success to the class.

 John Chrysostom Maviiri was born on 17th Dec 1955 in a staunch catholic family in Mbikko present day Buikwe district. For his education he did primary and later joined ST. Joseph minor seminary nyenga for his O and A ‘levels. After which he joined Uganda Martyrs Major Seminary Aloklum in Gulu for three years and ST. Mary’s major seminary Ggaba after which he was ordained into priesthood in 1981. He worked at swengere minor seminary   for three years after which he went to urban university in Rome to pursue his Masters and PHD in Theology and faith. Upon completion of his studies, he joined ST. Mbagga major seminary as the lecturer for four years and in the last two years, he became the Rector of the institution. After his four year stint at Nakulabye Catholic Church in Makerere, Fr. Maviiri then joined the Catholic University of East Africa in Nairobi for a record 16years. Within these 16years, he rose through the ranks to become the Vice Chancellor of the same university for 8 years before he returned back to his home Diocese (lugazi diocese) to rest from active work. It was within this period that one of his friends tapped him about an advert for the position of Vice Chancellor of UMU. He later assumed office on 1^st February 2016 after excelling as the best in the interviews.  So far as the VC of UMU, he feels that he’s just making a contribution like any other person towards the well being of the university which is a brainchild of the first black bishop south of the Sahara Arch Bishop Kiwanuka.

Upon consultation by the Catholic Bishops of Uganda, UMU was born on 23^rd February 1993 to fill the ethically grounded leadership vacuum in the corridors of power and other sectors in the country. He feels UMU has to some extent achieved being the source 0f virtuous graduates. It is thus not surprising that the University’s motto is virtute et sapientia duc mundum which literary means that in virtue and wisdom lead the world. This relates with Jesus’ plea to his disciples that they ought to love their neighbors in virtue and knowledge given by God.

As UMU celebrates 25years of excellence he feels there are very many reasons for the celebrations. Despite the different setbacks, the national and international recognition of UMU is one thing that cannot be underrated. “…we are the only private university in East, Central and Southern Africa hosting an African centre of excellence that is funded by the world bank to a tune of USD 6M…”. Also, the absence of a strike in the last 25years brings more glory. The fact that UMU is open to all students from every faith has also contributed to an abundant harvest of Alumni to a tune of now 20040 graduates.

After 25years, he envisages UMU as one of the greatest universities on the African soil offering a variety of courses and to start with, the faculty of law shall open in the next academic year to offer more ethically reach Learned Colleagues to the community of Uganda and the African continent as a whole. He carries with him a big dream about the future of new courses. He dreams of a school of journalism just like the celebrated school of Agriculture. The courses offered at UMU prepare people for job creation and link them greatly with the private sector. With support from Royal Dutch Kentalis, UMU shall become the first university offering a Bachelors in inclusive deaf education (BIDE).

In his closing remarks, he implored the UMU student community to open up to other issues. “…do not be in a closed circuit…” which shall help to bring up people that understand the world away from prioritizing the field one is pursuing.  Since everyone has something to contribute, then UMU shall indeed live up to expectations of her founders.

HP SPEECH

              WORD FROM THE HEAD-PREFECT (2016-2017)

                 In life, “You don’t have to be perfect to do the right thing, you just have to do the right thing in the most perfect of ways” …I am humbled and honored to have done my very best for this beautiful school. The administration, my awesome prefects, staff of BCK and my fellow students, the past term has been of exceptional value to me for many reasons of contrasting ways. Many schools in Uganda today lack culture, morals and decorum, but here in BCK we extraordinary, we possess very many attributes be it material, morals, or even spiritual, and as a community we need to appreciate what we are blessed with though some of us may take this for granted. Our late Director, FR. JOHN in his last speech told us that “EDUCATION IS NOT EVERYTHING IN LIFE BUT IT GIVE YOU A FOUNDATION FOR A BETTER LIFE” these wise words teach us that as a school we need to appreciate this opportunity given to us because many people wish to have the chance and facilities that our school has at our own disposal and generally we must maximize it while it still lasts and we need to protect this jealously. We need to open our eyes and see how blessed we are, we need to appreciate what we are blessed with, we need to treasure all that we have, we need to remain together as the BCK family always and forever, that was the legacy FR.John left with us and those we his last words before his demise, our purpose, our mission, and our target is to guard and honor this beautiful legacy for its not only for Father but also our own. My task here today is to remind you of this, but your task tomorrow and forever is to fulfill this legacy for that is or plan. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the greatest chance of being Head Prefect of this glorious school in our country, Uganda and on behalf of my team of prefects “thank you”. Lastly remember that we should remain together, love one another and keep remembering,” I CARE” these two words have great magnitude and significance. My message or my last words cut across both day and boarding section…BCK is our school, our home and our…. family…never forget that” PER ASPERA AD ASTRA” ……….

                                                                                                                            BOARDING HEAD PREFECT 2016-2017

KISAKYE CASSIOUS DAVID S.6ARTS

UMU SPORTS ROUND UP

                         UMU SPORTS ROUND UP

By Kisakye Cassious David



The semester was one filled with many events that captured our attention, and the sports field was no exception. From the pitches of soccer and rugby, to the courts of basketball and netball. Through all the matches, wins, draws, medals and so on, UMUSpotlight was at all the scenes to c everything.

In Rugby, the boys seemingly became indestructible crushing every so called opponent that fate brought to their grasps. They participated in the Western Uganda 7s Series, where they won all the 3 circuits in Bushenyi, Mbabrara and here home at Nkozi. The final leg took place in Mbarara where they topped the final table standings of 5 teams with a mammoth point’s mass of 44 points with the runnersuo 6 points behind. This performance is deserving of champions and looks like the Rugby continent will be well represented in Dodoma and hopefully our wings will surpass Uganda Uganda a conquer East Africa.
Looking at football, the UMU saints were unfortunately unable to defend their University Football league trophy as we were sadly lost out at the quarter final level to the eventual champions, which maybe cushions the fall, though considering Kyambogo University took the crown, maybe you will be the judge of that. The Saints put up a good show and gained massive support from the whole community of Nkozi, and speaking of our dear community, we emerged victorious in the Silver Jubilee Tournament as Nkozi took the crown, after defeating Kayabwe at the Finals on penalties, grabbing a lot more medals, trophies and sports gear plus obviously the Bull. It may not have been the fairytale end for the Saints but we are coming back strong in 2019.

In others sports, the Basketball boys were able to emerge runners-up in their Division, so bravo. The netball team had an exhibition match with the MPs and did brilliant as they crushed the honorables with lots of honor in the game.
The sports secretariat at UMU has also re affirmed that  preparations highly anticipated Inter-Faculty Games are already in full swing and  all the gear is available, so come February, 2018, the sports -mania  at Uganda Martyrs University will be astronomical.
Our team got to know of the upcoming Association of Uganda University Sports Forum meeting that will take place at the main campus on May 16th.

Not forgetting, the Fort portal campus that has worked hand in hand with the main campus to be able to organize a sports derby in fields of Football and Volleyball, and speaking of the latter, our UMU Spotlight team sat down with the Sports Ministry of UMU to find a way of supporting the Volleyball team, and as per details from the meeting, a deal was struck for UMU Spotlight to become the main partners of the Volleyball team starting next semester.
We love to thank the sports secretariat for working with UMU Spotlight to bring viable and brilliant coverage of everything in the fields, courts, arenas and so on, as already said 2018 will be bigger. UMU Spotlight will always be on the spot to bring to you all the sports from our beloved University.

UMU COUNSELLOR TALKS

UMU COUNSELOR URGES STUDENTS TO SEEK  FOR HELP
 

Miss Claire having a chat with our team of reporters

By Cassious David
The Counselor of Uganda Martyrs University, Ms. Clare Ahimbisibwe, has urged UMU students to seek advice from her office and the school administration while in an exclusive interview with UMU Spotlight.

In her words, “a councilor is there to create relationship, analyze situation and give warmth to her clients”. Her role in the University among others is to meet students with their parents, creating good relationship between the students and the school administration, lecturers, and student leaders among others.

She however pointed out some challenges facing students such as their failure to have full information about her office, client’s failures to complete sessions before reaching the climax. She also advises the students to always visit her office since the services are free unlike other universities where they will need to pay before accessing the same services.
Ms. Ahimbisibwe further appealed to students to avoid distancing themselves from the authority, thus advising them to visit her office frequently for counseling.

As a counselor and parent in the University, Ms. Clare plans to carryout educative programs next semester:  some of which include  communications via emails, training peer counselors that will work together to reach their fellow students. She requests leaders and students to encourage one another so as to overcome their challenges.
For more details contact the Counselor, 0774976915, 0704727175