Thursday, 5 November 2026
During her maiden visit to UCU Mbale University College, Director of Students Affairs at Uganda Christian University Main Campus in Mukono Mrs Enid Ashaba Mugarura, has commended UCU Mbale University College for its welcoming environment and ongoing efforts to support students, while urging continued progress in disability inclusion and student participation.
In a conversation with the Communications Officer during her maiden visit to the Mbale College, Mugarura said she had been impressed by the students’ calm and positive attitude. “It’s a very hospitable place,” she said. “The students are calm, they give off this calm, positive attitude. The moment you approach them, they are very helpful.”
Asked what campuses and Colleges should do to ensure students experience supportive and safe services, Mugarura pointed to the range of support she observed at Mbale. She said students were being catered for beyond academics through sports, leadership opportunities and small-scale sponsorship initiatives, including Save A Buddy. She described the welfare work as strong but still developing: “Are we there yet? Work in progress. We can do better, but we are really, really doing well.”
Her visit also included student accommodation, where she said she spoke with custodians and entered some students’ rooms. She said she was impressed by the attention given to students’ well-being. She also noted the college and campus’s lunch-hour fellowships and efforts to support students spiritually, academically and through welfare services.
The discussion then turned to student support initiatives and how Mbale’s experience compares with Mukono. Mugarura said the main campus runs a tuition initiative, as a guild fund that can support some students, and works through sponsorship and donor services and the chaplaincy. She cautioned against comparing the campuses as if they had the same history and resources. “The main campus has institutional memory and institutional presence and history,” she said, adding that newer campuses and Colleges should be given room to develop initiatives of their own to grow.
On spiritual growth, Mugarura said the university provides community worship, fellowships, clergy, mentors and other opportunities for students. She stressed, however, that personal faith cannot be imposed. “Spirituality is subjective. It is a personal choice. You need to choose it,” she said. In her view, staff and leaders also help shape students’ values through their example. She said the institution offers Christian teaching with kindness and encouragement rather than forcing it on students, and commended the discipline reports she had heard about Mbale students.
When asked about students with disabilities and their access to leadership and sport, Mugarura described inclusion as an area where the university is still growing. She said indoor and board games offer some inclusive opportunities, while the university continues to explore ways for students to participate in activities on the sports field. She noted that some students are reluctant to disclose a disability or register, making it difficult to establish participation and plan appropriate activities. At Mukono, she said, a registered association for students with disabilities has been formed.
Mugarura also clarified that postgraduate students are eligible to participate in university games. She said many postgraduate students study online and may miss activities held on campus, but participation is open to students at every level. “As long as you are a student of UCU, you can play in any game,” she said.
The final part of the conversation focused on student leadership and governance. Mugarura said students should be supported to lead while learning to work within university policies and their own student structures. She cited the student constitution, parliament and tribunal as mechanisms through which students can discuss issues and present decisions to the administration.
She said student leaders need to understand that leadership is service, and to carry out their responsibilities with “gentleness and equity.” Rather than describing the relationship as a bridge between two sides, she said the administration and students should work together directly. “There is no students’ welfare office that does not work with students,” she said. “The students come and tell you, then you work with them.”
Mugarura added that clear communication helps prevent misunderstandings and gives students a chance to understand decisions, ask questions and suggest alternatives.
Story by,
Harry Mukhooli
Story by,
Harry Mukhooli
UCU, Mbale Communications Department