By Rt. Rev. Dr Joel Samson Obetia
Senior Teaching Fellow
Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology
On 22nd May 2017, God impressed upon the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda (COU) that they should establish a day in the calendar year when the entire Church of Uganda can pray and support the Uganda Christian University (UCU). The idea of a Church of Uganda University has been in the hearts of Ugandan Church leaders. As early as 1890, Bishop Alfred Tucker saw the absolute necessity of higher education and dreamt of the establishment of a University. The vision was tied to his dream of establishing a church that was self-theologizing with an indigenous leadership. Although Bishop Tucker was unable to realise his dream, it (the dream) became a reality in the year that he died in 1913, when Bishop Tucker College was established to train both Priests and Teachers.
In 1996, the House of Bishops resolved to establish a Christian University in Bishop Tucker College, which had metamorphosed into Bishop Tucker Theological College, Mukono, to solely train clergy for the Church of Uganda. There was a heated debate as to what the name of the University would be. The fear was that if it was called Uganda Christian University, any human mistake would automatically be attributed to Christ himself. But the revival spirit of fearless witness to Christ won the day. The Provincial Assembly made up of the House of Bishops, Clergy and Laity, unanimously voted for the University to be named Uganda Christian University as a service to the Lord and witness to the nation of Uganda.
As already stated in the opening paragraph, the University was born under a caretaker administration of the Bishop Tucker Theological College led by Rev. Canon. Eliphaz Maari. He was later replaced by Rev. Prof. Stephen Noll, who was fished out from USA by the indefatigable mechanic late Archbishop Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo. Prof. Noll worked for 10 years and left the leadership to Rev. Canon Dr. John Senyonyi, who served also for another 10 years. It was in Dr. Senyonyi’s era that the House of Bishops resolved to establish the Uganda Christian University Week, which was to fall in the last week of September (UCU Sunday).
The goal was to take the University to its owners, the church, so they can pray for it and support it. In the week, the current Staff, Alumni and well-wishers are deployed throughout the nation to market the University. On the last Sunday of the month of September, every church is asked to support the University financially and pray for it. The University leadership always identifies a project that the church can be rallied to support. Last year 2020, Cabinet resolved to prioritise construction of the Ordinands Apartment from UCU Sunday collections. Some funds will still go towards clergy scholarships as well.
A percentage of this support often goes to subsidise the fees of the Ordinands below the age of 45. The logic is that clergy below the age of 45 have more years to serve in the church. Further, Regional Colleges and campuses are supported in line with capacity development activities.
We, encourage, the entire COU to arise and support this endeavour by getting to know their University and supporting it financially. The tenure of Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, the first lay Vice Chancellor, has come at the most difficult time of COVID-19. But, God raises the right leaders for the right times. Aaron is the right leader for these times. The University has weathered the COVID-19 pandemic well under Aaron’s leadership. The University has continued to teach, research and assess the students through online methods amidst the numerous challenges. As the resident Bishop in the University, I appeal to entire Ugandan community and COU in particular to support the University leadership and the chosen project to the hilt.
And the Lord will bless you.