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BUGEMA UNIVERSITY

END OF ACADEMIC YEAR REPORT

2015/2016

BY

Prof. (Dr) Patrick Manu

Vice Chancellor, Bugema University

August, 2016

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INTRODUCTION

In the Education arena, quality determines the ranking of

an institution and enrolment of students. People are

ready to pay any amount of money to receive something

that is of value; in this sense quality education. This

postmodern mindset has ushered in a spirit of competition

among educational institutions.

It is not business as usual when it comes to running an

institution. It is survival of the fittest. You either stay well

grounded or you quit gracefully. Uganda alone has over

35 universities offering almost the same courses, and all

competing for students. One can visualize how

demanding and frustrating it is to run an institution these

days. Running an institution, especially a private

institution without an external business support is a heavy

responsibility. So heavy that it can crash a committed

individual.

The multi dimensional operation of universities these days

and the demands from the society bring in elements of

pragmatism and idealism, a combination of practical and

theory which helps universities to survive the test of time.

The core functions of a university include:

Teaching.

Conducting research

Participating in Community activities.

A university must ask itself if it is fulfilling these functions.

Common sense demands that a university must evaluate

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itself annually to see if it fits into the definition of a

university implying that it is fulfilling the core functions.

That is why Bugema University believes in assessment

which brings out the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities

and threats facing the institution. This has become an

annual affair where and when the Vice Chancellor

combines all internal and external evaluations and

presents all in the form of a brief report to anyone who

would like to know about how Bugema as a University is

doing.

At this juncture I do request you to go through this short

report to know what is happening at Bugema University so

that you can give your in-put for the survival of the

University you love so much

STUDENT ENROLMENT

With the mushrooming of Institutions of Higher learning in

Uganda, one can assess that the enrolment of students at

Bugema has been encouraging. By the grace of God our

enrolment number exceeds the entire sister Adventist

institutions in East Central Africa Division.

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The following statistics reveals our strength in terms of

enrolment

A. Enrolment per campuses/centers

Academic Year 1st

Semester 2nd

Semester

Campus/Centre Male Female Total Male Female Total

Main Campus 1508 731 2239 1531 742 2272

Kampala 323 277 600 320 274 594

Arua 217 101 318 208 101 309

Kasese 242 128 370 223 125 348

Mbale 134 104 238 141 110 251

Elgon View College

632 420 1052 386 257 643

Total 2424 1341 4817 2423 1351 4417

B. Enrolment per Schools-2015/16

Semester 1st

Semester 2nd

Semester

School/Gender Male Female Total Male Female Total

School of Business

873 543 1416 846 532 1378

School of Education

603 334 937 624 373 997

School of Health Sciences

28 44 73 28 38 66

School of Natural Science

21 8 29 18 8 26

School of Social Sciences

299 300 599 275 285 560

School of Theol. & Rel. Studies

440 28 468 473 29 502

School of Graduate Studies

160 84 244 159 86 245

Total 2424 1341 3765 2423 1351 3774

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C. Enrolment per Denomination (EVC Exclusive) –

2015/16 Academic Year 1

st Semester 2

nd Semester

Denomination Male Female Total Male Female Total

SDAs 1148 581 1729 1164 570 1734

Protestants &

*Christians”

581 321 902 550 321 871

Catholics 344 220 564 347 227 584

Muslims 119 58 177 117 58 175

Pentecostals 61 56 117 67 65 132

Anglicans 142 86 228 148 95 243

Evangelical 26 13 39 17 9 26

Others 2 6 8 2 6 8

Total 2424 1341 3765 2423 1351 3774

*Christians include Bahai, Baptists, Faith of Unity, A/C

Orthodox and Born Again.

My joy as the Vice chancellor is witnessing the increase in

the enrolment of Uganda students.

We do pray that with the introduction of the new Science

courses, the University is going to witness further increase

in the number of students.

GRADUATION

Last year’s graduation was a remarkable one. The

ceremony was held between October 30, 2015 and

November 1, 2015. 1,200 students were awarded with

Certificates, Diplomas, Bachelors and Masters Degrees.

Dr. Sharani de Alwis, a professor from Loma Linda

University, Califonia was the Guest of Honor and the main

speaker. We were also honoured to have Hon. Dr.

J.C.Muyingo the State Minister for Primary Education as

one of the guests. For the first time, Bugema University

decided to print the degrees and transcripts of students

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from the United Kingdom to avoid duplication of the same

locally.

STUDENTS GOVERNANCE

The University places a lot of emphasis on students’

governance. We believe that a strong infirmity between

students and administration yields symbiotic results. That

is why we encourage leadership among the students.

Last year’s Students Association elections went on very

well with Mugweri Junior emerging as the BUSA

president. The former BUSA government gave the

University four projectors and four screen boards to be

used in allocated classrooms preferably in the new

Science complex.

The elected officers of the Association are involved in the

day to day activities of the University organizing different

national and international programs for the students; and

giving suggestions to the university administration apart

from handling the students’ internal issues

STUDENTS SPORTS

As the adage goes, “A sound mind is in a sound body”

That is why we encourage sports on the campus. Last

year our students participated in many tournaments. In

the National University games held at Busoga University

from Dec. 16-22, 2015 our athletes did well by winning

gold and Silver. We featured in the women category and

in the men category.

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Performance in the National University Games, 2015.

National University Games 3 Gold

1 Silver

Women category 5th

Men Category 10th

Our decision to offer scholarships to sports men and

women has yielded results. The University’s name is

heard in the sports arena now.

STUDENTS ACCOMMODATION

Not much was done in this area last year for lack of funds.

However we tried to improve upon the existing ones. The

desire of students to stay on campus is tremendous. Our

five hostels are unable to accommodate even a quarter of

the students’ population. Negotiations are completed to

purchase one more hostel exclusively for the male nursing

students. The Alumni Association is also on a fundraising

drive to put up a hostel for the students. With the

purchase of the block making machine from China, we

believe that students accommodation problem on the

campus will be eased.

STUDENTS HEALTH

The University Clinic which is a Health Center III takes

care of the health needs of our students. It is equipped

with all the equipment and tools for primary health care

and other common sicknesses. It handles in patients and

out patients. It has also a dental department. The Health

Center has a Medical Director, three nurses, a Laboratory

technician, two nurse aids and a counselor. We have

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signed MOUs with other hospitals and dental clinics in

Kampala where referrals are made. This year we plan to

buy an ambulance to handle these referrals and

emergencies.

THE ACTIVITIES FOR LAST YEAR INCLUDE

1 Antenatal 141

2 Deliveries 52

3 HIV Counseled and Tested Negative 1006

4 HIV Counseled and Tested Positive 15

5 Immunization A) 0 + 0 1year B) 1 year – 5years

2170 177

5 Tetanus toxide for Adults 549

STUDENTS MEALS

The Cafeteria serves almost a thousand students each

year with a balanced vegetarian diet. All residential

students are required to take their meals in the cafeteria.

Non residential students who want to be served make

special arrangements with the Business Office and the

Cafeteria management. Meals are served thrice a day

under the open system where students can take as much

food as desired at a very low price. The management is

trying to bring in more improvement in the area of menu

planning and service. To this effect, we sent our cafeteria

manager to University of Eastern Africa (Baraton) Kenya

and other institutions for benchmarking.

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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS.

The growth of an institution depends upon the expansion

of its programs. At the moment the University offers its

programs in the following Schools.

School of Business

School of Education

School of Health and Natural Sciences

School of Social Science

School of Theology and Religious Studies

School of Graduate Studies which offers the post

graduate programs

The Institute of Professional Growth handles all the

holiday programs for workers in collaboration with all the

Schools. Last year the Institute witnessed a tremendous

enrolment of Uganda students.

Much effort has been made to strengthen the Natural and

Health Science programs which include Biochemistry.

Agricultural Science, Nursing, Statistics, Food Technology

and Nutrition and Biomedical Technology.

The School of Graduate Studies is planning to offer on

line programs this year. All preparations are underway.

The programs involved include MBA, MA Educational

Management/Curriculum and Instruction and MA

Development Studies. The National Council for Higher

Education has also accepted our proposal to offer PhD

programs in Educational Management, Rural

Development and Environmental Management. The

details about these programs are already at our website.

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INFRASTRUCTURE Program implementation requires infrastructure expansion. Much is being done in this area too. Last year we were able to complete the new auditorium.

The air conditioning system has since arrived from China

and very soon will be installed before the new academic

year comes to a close.

The Theology and Religious Studies building is

completed and was inaugurated on August 12,

2016 by the donor,

Dr. Richard Rajarathinam, family and Dr. Weymonth

Spence, the president of Washington Adventist University,

USA. This building is going to be called as the Seminary

Building. We thank God for this achievement.

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The construction of the Science building is progressing

with the ground floor almost completed. The Ugandan

government has helped us to clear all the materials which

were imported from china to complete the building. When

completed within the next few months it will house all the

Science programs.

INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

(ICT)

Last year witnessed an expansion in our ICT connectivity

and automation. INVICTA ICT, our internet service

provider is working hard to provide both on line and

wireless service to the campus residents. The Kampala

campus internet is on fiber.

ERMS, the software which is used to run all the services

of the University has been customized to include all the

new programs and all the satellite centers. Now the ICT

support team is about completing a software which will be

used for online post graduate programs.

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM

The University is trying in diverse ways to support needy

students to study. The various students study support

includes.

a. The work-study program of the University. This

has helped and still helping students to struggle

their ways through education. Last year, the Work

Education office provided on campus work for

about hundred students in different departments of

the University. We would like to expand this

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program as much as our financial position can

support.

b. Friends of Bugema Fund.

This includes individuals from the United States of

America who send some money to support some of

our students. Among them are names like Dr.

Richard Rajarathinam CEO. Office Care, Maryland

USA; Dr. Paul Yeboah a Physician in Texas, USA,

Ms Evon David, a nurse in Washington, USA and

Professor Sherani de Alwis, Professor of

Education and Reading, Loma Linda University.

c. Stakeholders and Community Fund.

This is the direct support the University gives to

needy Seventh-day Adventist students in the form

of Bursaries. Each Church Field is given the

opportunity to send one student to the University

each year. The best Advance Level performers

who decide to study at Bugema are also given

bursaries. Not only that. The University is

supporting service men and women from the police

force and UPDF. Also included in this is our effort

to recruit sportsmen and sportswomen for the

promotion of sports. This initiative costs money but

we believe that a University exists to serve the

community, particularly the needy.

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d. ADRA Netherlands Loan Scheme

A Memorandum of Understanding is signed with

ADRA Netherlands to provide loans to our students

who are in need. This Scholarship is given to final

year students. The first loan disbursement is done

for four beneficiaries. They are supposed to repay

the loan three years after completion of their

studies

.

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

The University is doing all it can to equip the staff and

faculty with new and Scientific methods of handling their

areas of specialization. That is why we have developed a

Staff and Faculty Development Program. By the end of

2018, we envisage to have not less than 20 PhDs in the

university.

Last year two of our faculty members who were sent to

Central Luzon State University completed their studies in

the areas of Biology and Chemistry. They have since

returned to serve the University with their Masters

degrees.

Many of our Faculty had the opportunity to attend

Seminars and Conferences. Notably, Prof. Worancha had

the privilege to travel to Lowry Adventist College in

Bangalore, India for a week of prayer

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Sponsorship Chart for last year (2015/2016)

MBA MSC MA MPhil PhD

Completed - 2 1 1

Continuing 1 1 1 1 6

Sub Total 1 3 2 1 7

Total 14

We also allow our faculty to take classes while working.

As at now almost all our workers have ceased this

opportunity to study in our various programs, while others

have completed. Last year we sent some of our

supporting staff for seminars and training. Included were

the Administrative Secretaries, the Chief Security Officer,

the Cafeteria Manager, the Chief Accountant and ICT

support team. We will continue to give this program a

priority as we expand the programs and activities of the

University.

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RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS

Much need to be done in this area. Even though the

University has a policy in place which encourages

Research and Publications with a budget, many of our

faculty members do not cease the opportunity. We have

held seminars on the same, yet the response has not

been encouraging. However, there are few among the

faculty who took the time to publish last year. Many faculty

members have taken a stand to write this academic year,

which is very encouraging.

SPIRITUAL NURTURING

Bugema strongly believes in the Mission of the Church.

That is why we have so many religious activities on

campus. Last year the University had many religious

programs organized by the students, faculty and

administration. These programs helped us to witness

many baptisms within and outside the campus. An

evangelistic meeting was organized by the University with

the School of Theology and Religious Studies

spearheading the whole exercise and supported by

Gayaza Church. It was a wholistic evangelistic program

at Gayaza for three weeks. The whole campus was

involved in this program. At the end of the three weeks 97

people were baptized.

The University conducted two Weeks of Prayer. Pastor

Okioma from Central Kenya Conference was the speaker

for the first semester Week of Prayer which witnessed 25

baptisms. The speaker for the second semester Week of

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Prayer was Pr. Bina Steven, Former Communication

Director, ECD. 17 members were baptized. We cannot

forget the project of Pr. (Dr) Sigue and the medical

missionaries who go from school to school witnessing for

Jesus which resulted in baptisms at Bugema University.

The baptism statistics is as follows.

Baptisms

Evangelistic Meeting at Gayaza 97

Weeks of Prayer first semester 25

Weeks of Prayer second semester 17

Medial Missionaries 696

Total 835

Other religious activities on campus include

- Early morning prayer bands (5am – 6am)

organized by Prof. Gebre Worancha

- Staff and faculty morning devotion at 8am

- Sabbath worship

- Week of prayer for two semesters.

- BUSA week of prayer (for the two semesters)

- Branch Sabbath schools organized by our

students.

- Music Evangelism by various singing groups on

campus.

- Prison Ministry at Kasangati

COUMMUNITY OUTREACH

As already noted a University exists to perform three

basic functions which include:

- Teaching

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- Research

- Community outreach

That is the reason why the University is very much

involved in community outreach. The University Health

Center continues to offer free antenatal care services,

family planning services, Immunization to children, HIV

testing, male circumcision, and health tips to many.

The students from the School of Theology and Religious

Studies and Social Sciences pay visit to the elderly and

recommend to the University church how best we can be

of help to them. Through this we have helped to construct

small huts for a few, roofed some houses and fed the

hungry.

A German NGO has just signed an MOU with Bugema

University in the area of Health Care. Representatives of

the Organization have visited the campus twice; and in

September they are planning to dig a bore hole for Kisa

Primary School.

In the month of June, the University through the church

organized a community welfare week clearing the streets

and visiting homes to pray, counseling and giving family

and health tips.

UNIVERSITY FINANCES

The University has reached a point where high inflation,

coupled with infrastructural development has brought our

liquidity low. However, we are doing all that it takes to

stick our necks out and swim. For this, the University has

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decided to halt further staff employment, reduce on the

number of adjunct faculty, and embark on Income

Generating Activities. These Income Generating Activities

include raising quails, breeding goats, making blocks with

our newly acquired block making machine, putting our mill

into full operation and increasing our farm and dairy

products. At the moment, the University farm is revamped

and is doing quite well. Relevant committees, policies,

manuals and qualified personnel are put in place in the

financial management system.

PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS

Working with other academic, social and business

institutions helps the University to benchmark and get

exposed to different ideas. We are still in partnership with

- Samhyook University in South Korea for

Development.

- Washington Adventist University for student

exchange program.

- Central Luzon State University for faculty

Development.

- Oakwood University for faculty exchange

- Mulago hospital- Practical for our nurses

- ADRA Netherlands for students loan

- Mildmay Uganda for Health services

- Support Africa in Germany for health equipment

- Aqua Africa Denmark which has since started the

production of bottled water and

- Health for Uganda/Africa by a Germany NGO

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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Much needs to be done by the Association. Last

academic year witnessed no visible activity of the Alumni.

However, the Association has cleared and prepared the

place where it plans to construct an international students

hostel.

MEMBERSHIP TO PROFESSIONAL OTHER BODIES. Bugema University is a member of the following professional bodies.

The Inter University Council of East Africa (IUCEA)

The Uganda Vice Chancellors Forum

The Consortium of University Libraries in Uganda

The Consultative Council of Adventist Universities

in East-Central Africa Division of Seventh-day

Adventists.

The Adventist Accrediting Agency

The Uganda Universities Quality Assurance

Association.

The Association of Universities Deans of Students

Sports Federation of Uganda.

The Association of Private Universities in Africa.

BRIEFS FROM THE CENTERS Bugema University has three centers and a campus in Kampala city. Kampala Campus has a new director in the person of Dr.

Moses Maka. Enrolment had reached its lowest point to

the extent that the facility was underutilized. Right now it

has picked up ending the academic year with 601

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students. We have initiated and instituted a bursary

scheme which will further enhance enrolment.

Kasese Centre also came under a new leadership. The

new coordinator is Mr. Livingstone Tenywa. It is one of

the centers which is doing quite well. Enrolment last year

stood at 370. The new leadership has revamped the old

system and we do believe that enrolment will increase this

academic year.

Mbale center was almost called off. However,, we still

saw some potential. We decided to swap the

coordinators. The new coordinator at Mbale is Mr. Keino

who is doing a marvelous job. He has put the center in

shape and it has started breaking even with the collection

of arrears from students. We know that with time and

promotion things will happen for the better.

Arua Center is now under the coordinator ship of Mrs.

Deborah Aketekit. She has started with her workers to

promote the center and enroll more students. It is one of

the centers that has been doing very well with over 300

students.

SPECIAL CAMPUS VISITORS We were blessed by many visitors notably:

Mr. Sarah Namuli

Tamale, Commissioner,

BTVET

Mr. Charles Isabirye,

Principal Health

Training Officer Dr. B. Ruguri.(Centre) ECD President

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Mr. Inakida K.K, Registrar, Uganda Nurses and

Midwives Council.

H.E Sheikh Sheban Mubaje Mufti of Uganda.

Dr. Blasious Ruguri President ECD

Hon. Hajj Nanduli. Hon Minister without Portfolio,

Government of Uganda.

FUTURE PLANS

Among the priorities for this academic year are to:

Finish the construction of the Science Complex

Start with our PhD programs

Concentrate on Faculty and Staff welfare services

Improve on students sports

Pave the roads on campus

Increase the admission of students into the

Science programs

Form an association known as Assembly of

Promoters. This will consist of individuals and

organizations that have interest in the development of

Bugema University. They will be entrusted with the

responsibility of mobilizing resources for the University

and also help the University Council.

APPRECIATION

It is said that one should never forget the bridge that

helped him/her to cross the river. An institution can never

succeed without the help of well wishers. That is why it is

always imperative to thank the people who in one way or

the other help the institution to move from good to

greatness.

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There have been many ups and downs but through it all

the Institution has learned to lean on God. So we do

attribute our invisible success to the Almighty God who

reigns forever. Where the challenges were very tough he

carried us.

On an objective note we would like to thank Pr. Daniel

Matte, the Chancellor of the University for his dedicated

service to the University. We would like to express our

gratitude to him for always standing by us in challenging

times.

Bugema University would also like to express appreciation

for the help rendered by the executive members of the

Board. Special thanks to Mr. Kigundu, the Treasurer who

always gives us pieces of financial advice. To all the

members of the executive for supporting us to obtain a

loan from ECD for the Science building.

The University Administration would like to express

appreciation for the work executed on its behalf by AAA,

GCAS and the University Council. Your evaluations and

advice have helped us to move from good to great.

Thanks to the parents and sponsors of our students, for

the trust you have in us. We also thank you for the

financial support without which we cannot survive.

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In a very special way we would like to thank the

Government of Uganda through the Office of the Ministry

of Education for paying all the taxes on the items we

purchased from China. What a kind gesture to a private

Institution as ours. We want to thank all those who were

involved in this exercise which was complicated and long.

Allow me to personally thank Elder Joel Booker who is

always around to help us when the University is in need or

have requests to the government.

It is time to again thank our well wishers, our suppliers,

the security enforcement agents, the community leaders

and community members for your support.

We still need your support as we venture into another

academic year with the challenges which we envisage.

However tough the situation may be, we have learned to

trust Him.

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