What UCU means to Mukono community

By Justin Emedot, :: 18-05-2011


While walking along the road that leads to the university from my former hostel down in Kauga, I suddenly realise that the shortcut that was once there had been blocked. Right in front of me was a newly constructed perimeter wall, with a very beautiful storied house inside- a hostel.
Call it the Uganda Christian University effect. Opportunity coming to scores of people around Mukono have greatly increased. Whether it involves specialised knowledge, or is completely trivial, there is a belief that any right business started could be a gold mine.
Uganda Christian University grew out of Bishop Tucker Theological College.  The theological college was established in Mukono in 1913 and also trained school teachers from 1920-1955.
Since being upgraded to university status in 1997, UCU has grown, accommodating about 5,000 students in each of its three semesters in a year. With the monopoly of theology courses broken, other courses were introduced and that lead to the increase of the student population, hence having an impact on the surrounding community.
“The presence of the institution has helped Mukono in two ways: building communities and generating income.’ explains the Deputy-Vice Chancellor for Development and External Relations,” Mr. Doug fountain.
The university employs hundreds of staff, who includeteaching, non teaching and supporting staff.
Operating on a budget of about Sh36 b for this financial year, UCU has to pay close to sh450 m to group workers, the university bursar Mr. Joseph Oluga explains. The group workers (supportive staff) consist mostly of people from around Mukono who work in the estates department.
All university employees also do contribute taxes to Mukono Town Council.
“Both the formal and casual employees of the university do pay local service tax,” says the town clerk Mukono central division, Mr. Ismail Semyalo.
He adds that sometimes they get students from the university who go and volunteer in cleaning up the town.
Being a Christian-founded institution, the students’ way of life has had some influence in the communities around.
“The UCU community normally goes out into the communities for missions and outreaches,” points out the Mr. Fountain.
Helen Mwanja, a landlady who ventured into the hostels business, says UCU has been a blessing to house owners. She started St. Sophia White House in 2004 with six rooms and has since expanded to 22. Each semester, she has between 25-30students, fetching her Sh3 m each semester.
She says that through the hostel business, she has created jobs.
“I have full time employees like a cleaner and a watchman, and also give business to painters and electricians,” Asserts Mwanja.
In buying the food, the Procurement Officer, Mr. Duncan Tumuhamye says most of the foodstuffs both fresh and dry, are bought from around Mukono.
He goes ahead to explain that they have three suppliers, all from Mukono who deliver to university each week in turns. The suppliers include Kame Market Vendors group, and Mr. Godfrey Ssekaja.
The procurements normally range from Sh810, 000- Sh1.4 m weekly, depending on who is supplying.
“This month alone, we have to buy 300kgs of bogoya (sweet bananas), and 360kgs of pineapples for the fresh foods,” Adds Mr.Tumuhamye.
Buguju LC 1 chairman Christopher Kibombo says UCU has had an impact on the lives of many in his area.
Kibombo who attended the teachers college at the theological college in the 1950s, has since lived around. He praises the behaviour of most of the students around.
“We haven’t had many disciplinary problems with the [university] students,” He says, “except for a few times when we get wrong elements who masquerade around as students.” Kibombo also rents out six rooms of his house to students.
But not all students lead by example.
“We have some of our students who provide a lot of business to bars and night clubs,” says Fountain.
UCU has in the past made partnership with the Mukono district administration to develop the area. The university put up the speed humps on the road that leads to the university, and intends to do more partnerships.
“We are currently working with the Mukono administration on a project to set up street lights along the roads,” explains Fountain, adding that the lights will benefit both the students and the Mukono community as a whole.
UCU has also in the recent past ventured into a project to help provide decent accommodation to the Mukono community. This is through its commercial arm of UCU Holdings.
‘UCU holdings will provide houses for sale to those people who wish to stay, or own property in Mukono.’ Mr. Fountain explains.
Just like I got a surprise just a year after I left Mukono, many continue to be amazed by new developments every time they set foot in Mukono.
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