UMU Communication Newsletter
Uganda Martyrs University
Communication Newsletter
Linking Students Staff, Alumni and friends of UMU
UMU-COP Glorified
at Commonwealth
Universities PR forum
By Innocent Erosete Ag. Public
Relations Officer
A meeting of the Association
of Commonwealth Universities
Public Relations Officers Network
took place in Durban South
Africa. At the Gala Dinner,
UMU received Honorable
Mention for its Community
outreach program. The award
in this category was shared
by Mbarara University of Sci-
ence and Technology and an-
other University in Pakistan.
Faculty of
Humanities
and social
sciences
1
ISSUE 26 SEPTEMBER 2008
INSIDE
Education History on Nkozi Hill
Bernard Onyango Registry Building nearing Occupancy.
“I am sure that if we
were to submit our Summer School at UMU
entry today, we would
certainly win given UMU Masaka Teaching Centre Launced
the extent to which
we have gone with our UMU Now a member of the Association of
outreach program.” said
African Unversities
the Vice Chancellor.
These and Other Stories
UMU gets a
New Bus
For a long time, trans-
porting commuting staff
at UMU h a s been
a challenge.
shuttles have been
Two
available to
turn to Pg3 The new UMU Bus
1,100 students Head of state Visits
to Graduate on During the just concluded National
21st November agricultural show in Jinja, His
2008. Excellency President Yoweri
Starting 2007, UMU Kaguta Museveni chose to visit
has suddenly doubled only one stall and that is NABTA.
the number of gradu- This is Nkozi Agri Business and
ates from an average Training Association, a farmers’
of 450 in the previous association promoted by two
years to a minimum institutions of Uganda Martyrs
of 900. This is a good University Community
sign of UMU Growth. continue to pg. 3
2 UMU Communication Newsletter
EDITORIAL
A new Academic year is here 2008/2009.
The previous academic year was full of
events in the life of UMU. Many projects
are now seeing their fruits. For instance
the Registry building will soon acquire a
certificate of occupancy.
Communication will bring you major
accounts of what took place in the life
of UMU here at the Main Campus and in
circles closer to UMU.
At the beginning of the previous year,
UMU e x t e n d e d t o M a s a k a w i t h a
t e a c h i n g centre for Undergraduate and
Post graduate Programmes and also
established a coordination Office for
Eastern Uganda located in Mbale. The
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is
commencing this year in Rubaga- Kampala.
The previous academic year also saw
doubling in the number of our usual
graduands. The University Managed to
graduate 945 students, the highest in
the history of UMU. We hope that these
will join the Alumni Association and
make a positive impact on UMU affairs.
There is a growing interest among the
alumni to share their experiences and
contribute positively to ‘mother’ UMU.
One of the proposals is to establish a
Michel Lejeune Scholarship in memory of
the Founding Vice-Chancellor of UMU.
I hope you will enjoy reading Communi-
cation Newsletter and contribute article
that will build Uganda Martyrs University
Contributors
Akio Mary, Goreth Atuhaire, Innocent Erosete,
Miha, Selected Communications from the Vice
Chancellor, Community Outreach Programme
A brief history of Education at
Nkozi 1939 – 1993
By Sr. Campbell, Former Principal Nkozi
NTC (File Story)
The history of education at Nkozi goes
back to the 1930s when the white fathers
built the church and schools at Nkozi. A
Training College for vernacular-speaking
teachers was built in 1939, and on the
31st January, a community of white sis-
ters arrived to be responsible for the col-
lege, then named St Joseph’s Teachers
Training College. Sister Anne Maria Ver-
beek was appointed as Principal, and she
directed the college until 1952. At that
time the two-year course was conducted
completely in Luganda.
This was the small, yet significant
beginning of education at Nkozi. The
white sisters continued to direct and staff
the college and a third year was added
in 1950. Sister Noel Chabanal became
Principal in 1953 when a forth year was
added to the course. The following year,
English replaced Luganda as the medi-
um of instruction. During this year, sister
Rachel Dagenais, who did so much for
Primary Religious Education in Uganda in
the 60s and 70s joined staff of the col-
lege.
The white sisters continued to di-
rect the college through all these changes
which improved considerably the stand-
ard of teachers in the country. The Grade
1 (Vernacular) TTC was moved to Bwan-
da in 1957, and the Certificates given at
Nkozi were Grade 2 from 1960 onwards.
What did the college look like at that
time? The original buildings consisted of a
classroom block (now Michael Hall), part
of the present dining-room, three dormi-
tory buildings (now the Auditorium), and
the building which now houses UMU Li-
brary, as well as staff house for TTC and
Demonstration school staff.
1n 1961, the white sisters petitioned

The state of Present day ICT Block, Auditorium and Library during the NTC times
Archbishop Kiwanuka to
obtain another commu-
nity of sisters to staff the
college. At that time, they
were in charge of Nkozi
Hospital and had many
other commitments in
different parts of Uganda.
In July of that year, the
Archbishop visited Dublin
in Ireland, to attend a mis-
sionary Exhibition with his fel-
low White Fathers. During
his time there, he visited a
house of the Sacred Heart
Sisters and requested
the Provincial superior to
give a community of Sis-
ters to staff the college
at Nkozi. The Archbishop
had already heard from
Mr. Joseph Ssemugoma
of Masaka, about a Train-
ing College in Edinburgh
which was run by the sacred
Heart sisters. Mr. Ssemugo-
ma had himself visited the
College of Education at
Craiglockhert in Scotland,
and had suggested that
the sisters start an edu-
cational establishment
for women in Uganda. The
UMU Communication Newsletter
Archbishop followed up this sug-
gestion and a few weeks after Mr.
Ssemugoma left Scotland, he
heard that the Sisters were to
take over the Training College
at Nkozi. I often think of Mr. Se-
mugoma looking down on the
Nkozi of today, which has be-
come Uganda Martyrs Univer-
sity, and think his happiness to
see that a grandson of his has
studied at the University.
The sacred heart sisters ar-
rived at Nkozi in January 1962,
and took over the direction of
the college in April of that year.
The white Sisters gave the new
comers every possible help, and
the students themselves were
very welcoming, hardworking
and good spirited. The College
then was still small, only 92 stu-
dents, but it expanded rapidly
in view of the changes brought
by the education Commission
set up shortly after independ-
ence in 1962. I was asked to
be principal shortly after that,
which is why my name came to
be associated with Nkozi – in-
deed Campbell Hall is named
after me!
The college continued to expand
turn to pg 5
3
Head of state Visits
from pg. 1
Outreach Program and
Sasakawa Global 2000.
During his stay at the stall,
UMU’s presence was made
prominent by a big
logo courtesy of SG
2000. His Excellency
probed, and the farmers’
leader explained the
University’s develop-
ment interaction with the
community.
UMU Acquires a Bus
from Pg. 1
to transport staff daily to
and from Kampala. Indeed
it is more than dedicated
service to commute to and
from Nkozi daily.
According to one of the
Commuting staff who pref-
ered anonimity, the smaller
shuttles were not only in-
adequate for timely trans-
port, but also uncomfortable
and insecure.
There is more comfort
than the previous shuttles.
The bus is Video enabled to
entertain travellers. There
is adequate space for lug-
gage, and Cost saving by
using one vehicle. Wherever
it goes, the University name
will be advertised.Cheers to all
for this achievement.
Quote
If you have built castles in the
air, your work need not be lost;
that is where they should be.
Now put foundations under them.
Henry David Thoreau
 4 UMU Communication Newsletter

“Summer School at UMU

By Akio Mary and Innocent
Erosete
All Photos by Jessy Kakooza
The Summer school is a project
aimed at adding value to the
populace of Uganda especially
the youth and senior school leav-
ers who stay at home for close
to 8 months before joining terti-
ary institutions. The project is an
initiative of UMU and Fr. Grimes
Foundation. Both parties i.e
Uganda Martyrs University and Group photo with Hon.. Rebecca Kadaga (Deputy Speaker of Parliament
Fr. Grimes Foundation will run
the programme jointly with the
former being the venue for this
venture. The major objective is
to help participants acquire skills
that they would not get from the
classroom.
The programme includes
but not limited to the following
activities;
a) Village outreach and volun
teerism; social responsibility
b) Reading skills and use of the Dancing Drill led Mr. Jessy Kakooza (Centre)
library.
c) Appreciation of music dance
and drama.
d) Home economics.
e) Integrated morality and social
etiquette.
f) Games and sports.
g) Prayer techniques and meditation.
h) Elocution.
i) Conducting meetings.
j) Investments/savings.
Participants for the June 2008 in
take have realized their potential. Group photo with Mrs. Zizinga (Chairperson All Africa Head teachers
The students have under- Association
gone training that includes; life with life no matter the circumstances. she has learnt from the course
skills, communication skills, dance Fr. Grimes believes that the students have that she can now speak in pub-
and creativity. All these have given the potential to be the best that they can lic. Authoritative figures graced
them the confidence to speak in pub- be and this is seen by the way the students the programme with Key Note
lic, relate easily with others and cre- have taken onto the activities. One student addresses. These Included; Mr.
ate awareness in that they can cope Luisa for instance stated when asked what Patrick Bitature (Chairperson
 UMU Communication Newsletter 5
Brief History of Education
at Nkozi
from pg. 3
rapidly in the years to follow.
The new era of independence
was an exciting time. But
educational expansion meant
there was a lot needed in
the College. During this
time our congregation
helped with some much
needed building at Nkozi:
we built two new classrooms
(now the University Shop
Premises),and staff hous-
Summer School Sports Team es for the demonstration
staff and some TTC tu-
tors. In 1968, the new
and much-needed col-
lege chapel was opened
by Archbishop Nsubuga.
During this ceremony,
permission was given
that African music and in-
struments could be used,
and so we sang some
of Mr. Kyagambiddwa’s
most beautiful music. The
Chapel remains today the
University Church.
A visit to the Crocodile Farm During the 70’s
Misereor, a donor organi-
sation in Germany, agreed
to help us expand, and
A moment at the Swimming pool the present halls of resi-
dence (Campbel, Martyrs
and Mukasa), two class-
rooms, a laboratory, and
several staff houses were
built. The renovation of
the Sisters convent was
also undertaken at that
time.
Mrs. J.F Ssali be-
came Principal after me,
and I would like to pay
tribute to her courage
Uganda Investments Authority) to Fr. Grimes Foundation and UMU task and perseverance during
Hon. Rebecca Kadaga (Deputy force for piloting this projects. Registra- the years that followed,
Speaker of Parliament), Mrs. Ziz- tion for next year is on going. years which were some
inga (Head teacher Kitante Hill E-mail deanstudents@umu.ac.ug for of the most difficult in the
School) among others. Thanks details. College’s history. I was
happy to find two of her
 6 UMU Communication Newsletter
children students at UMU.
More buildings had been Fashion and Personality
projected by Misereor, but the By Atuhaire Goreth (IEDS III)
war of 1979 stopped any fur- Fashion is a great essence of to-
ther expansion. The College was days generation and it provides
completely looted during the war the latest vogue in our prime con-
and everything had to be built cern. Our style should lead to an
up again. In 1984, the NTC was originality of perfection.
moved from Kyambogo to Nko- The designs could be as serious
zi which had in the mean time as the times or as charming as
become Grade III College for they want to be. The principles of
Primary Teachers. Sadly there fashion design do evolve with the
was no further building until the changing tastes of society. For in-
Government gave permission for stance, men should know that is the good news; you can
the foundation of a new Univer- being well dressed and looking carry off well in all colours.
sity at Nkozi in 1991. good can never be something The entire range of beautiful
I enjoyed my years work- thats too much to ask for! They shades will suit you. Sleeve-
ing at Nkozi and am happy to must be keen with style for the less, deep cuts and strapped
find myself back here to rest in day. blouses can also be worn.
my retirement. It is not always Also today’s women should And with skin complexion,
easy to be a trail blazer’, but the know that their fashion is not just a woman with a medium
pioneer students of Uganda Mar- about wearing new clothes. Her coloured skin complexion
tyrs University have succeeded style should tally with the fash- can go in for mixed shades
through their courage and de- ion trend and her personality. I of white beige and bronzy
termination. have noticed that when choos- golden. A dark skin tone
ing what to wear we don’t put in can wrap it up with copper
UMU is now a Full Member mind things like our body frames, shades
of the Association of and skin tones but however, Body To a man, fashion is a collec-
African Universities frames, skin tones, comfort levels tion of countless items which
At the 65 th meeting of the and personal attitudes most times when combined make his
Executive Board of the As- can be used to determine a wom-
trend of segments namely
sociation of African Universi- ans fashion statement.
ties (AAU) held at Akosombo, apparels, footwear, accesso-
Ghana from 30 th May, 2008 You have a choice to make, ries and jewelery complete.
to 1 st June 2008, Uganda to wear dark colours with light However, while decid-
Martyrs University (UMU) was shades. You can preferebly choose ing on a man’s fashion style,
admitted to full membership sky bluejeans to be accompanied
the first and formost one
of AAU. Membership accords
by dull blue or dirty blue tops. Any should take care of is how
UMU many priviledges and op-
portunities including , interalia, woman out there should know that formal the event he is think-
Participation in (a) staff small and vertical line prints give a ing of will have to be, for in-
exchange, (b)African Uni- slimmer look however those who stance, if you are a man out
versity Response to HIV/ are heavily built can opt for another there and you want to relate
AIDS, (c) Ford Foundation style like Chiffon.
your fashion style for a party
International Fellowship Pro-
If you are a medium struc- purpose or special occassion,
gram, (d) Study program
on higher education man- tured woman, you should choose you need something that can
agement in Africa etc. etc. beige and fawn colours. With this accentuate your personality.
Please take time and view kind of constitution, you can dress for reactions and comments
AAU web site(www.aau.org) your self in satin.
E-mail: g.atuhaire@umu.
which contains invaluable
If you are slender, here ac.ug.
material and information.

Vice Chancellor’s Vision, Focus
Areas, Goal and Guiding Principles Introduced
In his key note addresses,
the Vice-chancellor articulates
Vision, Focus areas and
guiding principles. communi-
cation newsletter brings you
extracts of these from his
speeches.
‘VISION
I see Uganda Martyrs University
(UMU) as a student-centred
university, a research
intensive university and
a university that is uniquely
Ugandan in character. I
see UMU as an institu-
tion that is imbued with
Christian values, an insti-
tution that is of national
and international acclaim
and an institution that is
responsive to the needs of
the Church and people of
Uganda.
Remember UMU was
established to serve God
and the People of Uganda.
FOCUS AREAS
In selecting my focus areas,
I worked on three important
premises viz.,
a) That a university must
UMU Communication Newsletter 7
Rotary Club
not exist in isolation , but must Rotary is an organisa-
merge with the community and tion of business and
be concerned about the affairs professional leaders
of the community; united worldwide,who
b) That a university must be provide humanitarian
owned by the community (Nkozi service,encourage high
neighbourhood, the Church and ethical standards in all
the broad Ugandan Community); vocations and help build
c) That a university must not be good will and peace in the
regarded as an ivory tower. world. Rotary is the world’s
I have subsequently selected first service club. The first
five focus areas as follows:- Rotary club was founded
1)Service to the Church with in Chicago,Illinois,USA
the view to producing lay and on 23 February 1905.
religious men and women who Currently, there are over
will be leaders of to-morrow. 31,000
This is very much in line with Rotary Clubs found
the late Archbishop Kiwanuka’s in virtually every nation in
vision; the wolrld. They carry out
2) HIV/AIDS. Our aim is service projects in their
not to duplicate what is being local communities and
done at Mulago (Read Makerere abroad to address such
Medical School). Being in a rural critical issues as poverty,
area, we should study say the health, hunger,illiteracy
impact of HIV/AIDS on social and the environment.
structures. George Town Uni- The Core values of Rotary
versity in Washington DC may International are:
partner with us in this regard.
3) Peace and Justice. The 1.Service
aim is to establish an International 2.Fellowship
Centre for Peace and Justice 3.Diversity
based at UMU. Such a centre would 4.Integrity
perform (Continue to Page 8) 5.Leadership

UMU Masaka Branch Launched

August 9th 2008 saw the official
opening of Uganda Martyrs University
Masaka branch. The branch started
operating in september 2007 at Bwa-
la in Masaka Town.
UMU courses are taught on
evening and weeked basis. They in-
clude;
- Certificate in CISCO Networking.
- Diploma in Computer Science.
- Bachelor of Business Administration
and Management (Evening)
- Master of Arts Development Studies
(Weekend Programme).
Fr. Joseph Ssembatya is
the centre cordinator .
For admissions and reg-
istration at the centre
he can be contacted on
the following numbers.
+256 -772-571293
+256 -782-088244.
UMU has plans of Open-
ing up other teaching
centres and campuses
Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kaggwa,4th Left UMU Vice Chancellor, Fr. Joseph
in the four exlesiastical Ssembatya (Right) with other dignitaries after lauchng of the centre
provinces of Uganda. (Photo by Irene)
 8 UMU Communication Newsletter
(From pg. 7) GOAL
three main functions viz. My goal is:- (1) To make UMU
(a) develop an indigenous the bench mark for all institu-
curriculum for peace and tions of higher learning not only
conflict studies, (b) to in Uganda, but in the entire
establish and maintain a Great Lakes Region, and
resource centre for peace (2) To make a difference where it
and conflict studies, (c counts i.e. in leaders of tomorrow.
) to develop a scholar Remember, without a goal you
in residence programme cannot score!
where by we hope to invite
eminent scholars to UMU. GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Such scholars will do their In these and other areas, I am guided
reflection and while doing by the following principles viz.:-
so they will interact with
our students who will not 1) Transparency
only be those registered 2) Accountability
in our various fields of 3) Reliability
study but we shall invite 4) Action based on institutional ethos
law makers (parliamentarians) 5) Quality
law enforcement officers (police
officers, military officers and At UMU there should be no
prison officers) and civil compromise on quality. Quality
servants to meet with the should be every ones concern
eminent scholar and dis- and should become a way of
cuss the way forward in doing things. Remember quality
achieving lasting peace; is not generic but is specific for
not negative peace which details.
is the absence of war, but Remember, a vision without a
positive peace which in- task is a dream, a task without
cludes social justice. vision is drudgery , but a vi-
4) Poverty alleviation. sion with a task can change the
This we hope to under- world. At UMU we have both a
take jointly with the Uni- vision and a task, and I sincere-
versity of Notre Dame, ly believe that UMU has a great
Indiana, USA through our potential to do good in Uganda
Out-reach programme. and together we can change
5) Local management the world.’
of food resources.

10 e-mail commandments
Thou shalt include a clear and specific subject line.
Thou shalt edit any quoted text down to the minimum thou needest.
Thou shalt read thine own message thrice before thou sendest it.
Thou shalt ponder how thy recipient might react to thy message.
Thou shalt check thy spelling and thy grammar.
Thou shalt not curse, flame, spam or USE ALL CAPS.
Thou shalt not forward any chain letter.
Thou shalt not use e-mail for any illegal or unethical purpose.
Thou shalt not rely on the privacy of e-mail, especially from work.
When in doubt, save thy message overnight and reread it in the light of the dawn.
That which thou findest hateful to receive, sendest thou not unto others.
 UMU Communication Newsletter 9

Eucalyptus Gardens Re-open

By Miha the Proprietor a BBQ that are
not hidden (a
The Gardens of Edirisa or total no-no in
The Phoenix of Nkozi? traditional cul-
tures)
Thanks to the genius of - a concept that
Ambrose Kibuuka and the knows no wait-
open-mindedness of the ers (oh my,
Nkozi parish, some wil- you’ll need to
derness near the university come to the
got a touch of sanity in bar...)
2002. Or, to be more pre- - a supermar-
cise, in the hard-working ket that also of- The Gardens Main entrance
hands of Arthur Gyagenda fers good books
and Ronnie Ssentongo an and crafts (who
eucalyptus bush became needs those?!)
a pleasant place to be. - a music sys-
No other site could offer tem that is not
a combination of a green too loud (we
relaxing environment, a respect our
restaurant and a bar, so neighbours)
people smply loved it. - cheap tented
Five colourful years fol- accommoda-
lowed, ending with the tion (in com-
fire of November 2007. fortable beds!)
Leave your pre- Tented accommodation
Just like a phoenix* from conceptions at
the ashes, a new place the gate, and
rose up in August 2008. allow yourself
This time The Gardens is to be surprised
a brain child of a peculiar - you are so Roasting in progress
Slovenian builder, Aljosa very welcome!
Ferk, and a location of
Edirisa. Edirisa? Edirisa In addition to
is a society for promot- the local com-
ing Africa, creativity, cul- munities, The
tures and practical skills, Gardens of Ed-
born at UMU in 2001, irisa will be at-
and with Ambrose as is tracting young
its cofounder. Edirisa is international
a development organisa- travellers, art-
tion that uses business to ists, journal-
finance itself, so this is a ists and other ing, there is only one address: www.ed-
natural fit. guests. For irisa.org/gardens.
those who are * a unique bird that lived for five or six
Edirisa’s people tend to hungry for a centuries in the Arabian desert, after
challenge and provoke, place where this time burning itself on a funeral
so don’t be surprised to ideas flow and pyre and rising from the ashes with
see: unusual things renewed youth to live through another
- a cake/pizza oven and are in the mak- cycle (from Apple Dictionary)
 10 UMU Communication Newsletter
Dedication of Studies Mass Celebration
 UMU Communication Newsletter 11
Simple Crossword Puzzle. Prizes to be won for the first 3 winners
By Innocent Erosete

ACCROSS
1. A hall of residence named after the Nkozi NTC principal (8) Instructions
2. clubs used to strike the ball in baseball and cricket (4) 1. Acquire a copy of Communication newletter
3. Utterances, as to God, in praise, thanksgiving or confession,(7)
4. the second solfa - music (2)
2. Attempt the Puzzle
5. The initial Faculty at UMU. (4) 3. Submit your entry within 2 weeks of the
6. To combine numbers into a sum (3) Newsletter Issuing
7. All private sector employees have to contribute to it for their retirement (4)
8. Eat past tense (3)
4. Acknowledgement of recept should be done
9. The only hostel equiped with anciliary services like supermarket and salon (5) by the PRO.
10. Be wise Abbr (2) 5. If there is more than one winner, a raffle will
11. United Assurance (2) be made to select winners.
12. A catholic Highest Institution of learning in Uganda (Abbr) (3)
13. A mixture of mist and smoke (4) 6. The first winner will get an UMU plaque
14. Any plant with such a stem, as sugar cane or sorghum (4) 7. The PRO reserve the right to adjust rules for
15. University of Dar es salaam (3) the game.
16. A new financial institution at UMU (4)

DOWN
1.The patron of UMU first name (7)
2.UMU’s Postgraduate programme on part time and full time (3) abbr.
3. Bringing Teacher Education
4. Environmental Sustainability Report
5. The sixth solfa (music) (2)
6. Initial founder of the concept of a Catholic University in Uganda -first name
8. A blood group (2)
10. Be wise (2)
12. A christian Union at UMU (5)
14. A diploma in the Institute of Ethics and Development Studies (3)
15. Students must clear............... before sitting their exams.
16. In the Direction of and reaching (2)
17. The last item in most Agenda (3)
18. It was named the pearl of Africa (6)
12 UMU Communication Newsletter
UMU Communication Newsletter 15
16 UMU Communication Newsletter