Academic excellence is the demonstrated ability to perform, achieve, andor excel in scholastic activities.

Academic excel lence has been identified with achieving high grades and supe rior performance. But academic excellence is more than just making good grades. It is the maximum development of your in tellectual capacities and skills in service to humanity.Academic excellence is the demonstrated ability to perform, achieve, Issue 18 volume scholastic activities. Academic excellence has andor excel in 1 May 2011 been identified with achieving high grades and superior perfor mance. But academic excellence is more than just making good grades. It is the maximum development of your intellectual ca pacities and skills in service to humanity.Academic excellence is the demonstrated ability to perform, achieve, andor excel in scholastic activities. Academic excellence has been identified with achieving high grades and superior performance. But aca demic excellence is more than just making good grades. It is the maximum development of your intellectual capacities and skills in service to humanity.Academic excellence is the demonstrated ability to perform, achieve, andor excel in scholastic activi ties. Academic excellence has been identified with achieving high grades and superior performance. But academic excellence is more than just making good grades. It is the maximum develop ment of your intellectual capacities and skills in service to humanity.Academic excellence is the demonstrated ability to per form, achieve, andor excel in scholastic activities. Academic excellence has been identified with achieving high grades and superior performance. But academic excellence is more than just making good grades. It is the maximum development of your in tellectual capacities and skills in service to humanity.Academic excellence is the demonstrated ability to perform, achieve, andor excel in scholastic activities. Academic excellence has been identified with achieving high grades and superior perfor mance. But academic excellence is more than just making good grades. It is the maximum development of your intellectual ca pacities and skills in service to humanity.Academic excellence is the demonstrated ability to perform, achieve, andor excel in

Uganda Martyrs University

newsletter

Academic

Excellence

contents
APOLOGY TO MY MOTHER TONGuE PAGE 19

IS teaching ETHICS IMPORTANT? page 8

CREDITS Chairman Alex Agaba Tel: +256781572338 Email: aagaba@umu.ac.ug Public Relations Amelia Zalwango Tel: +256701740705 Email: pro@umu.ac.ug

PAGE 8

Editorial Board Jude Ssempebwa Harriet Mutonyi Byaruhanga Aloysius Abisagi N. Kasoma Buti G. Ceaser Bukomeko Bernardine David N. Tshimba Jane Apila Esther Gensi Eleanor Naisikwe Susan Ninsiima Marketing Anita Atuhaire tel:+256782338851 atuhaireann@yahoo.com Micheal Kyalimpa Tel: +256712218460 Columnist Jimmy S. Ssentongo Design and Layout Gabriel Mundaka the kid

16th umu graduation

PAGE 4

profile
pg 12

ACADEMIC AWARDS AT UMU PAGE 9

EDITORIAL

very institution of Higher Learning endeavours to provide the best academic experiences for both their staff and students. Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) is no exception to the desire to provide the faculty and students with an academic experience that exceeds their expectations and thus becomes deemed excellent. The latest newsletters have focused on UMU in a nutshell and how UMU is impacted and impacts its community. This volumes theme is UMUs Academic Excellence, which is a double-edged statement which focuses on the institutions as well as the individual achievements of faculty and students. The term academic is loosely used to describe the teaching-learning experiences of both faculty and students; the research the students and faculty are engaged in; and the social experiences and interactions between students and faculty of Uganda Martyrs University. Excellence in this volume is used to capture what UMU is exceptionally good at, and also the faculty and students who stood out. Taken together therefore, we are celebrating UMUs academic achievements thus far. Uganda Martyrs University still boasts of having a small number of students with whom there can be maximum interaction to enhance their academic experiences. There are 8 faculties and each is uniquely placed to provide the best programs for the students. The programs are run on 3 different types Full Time; Part-Time; and Distance Learning on a modular basis. There have been 16 graduations and therefore a great representation for UMU is already in the workplace. The next issue will celebrate the graduates of UMU but we will mention here that the graduates are doing UMU proud everywhere they go. This has made UMU to be synonymously known for excellence and as a University to reckon with. The assertion is not self-glorifying but as the saying goes the evidence is in the pudding and the pudding here will be UMU coming second to Makerere University in last years Inter-University Open day competitions organized by National Council for Higher Education. Given Makereres history and its years of existence, this was no mean achievement for UMU which has been in existence since 1993. The competition was a testament that UMU is academically excellent. This achievement was further cemented by one of our alumna winning the East African Regional Award for youth competition, which focused on Youth and ICTs in Agriculture and Rural Development.

academic engagements of both its faculty and students. The year was marked with book publications and Journal launches alongside already existing ones to provide a wider avenue for the academic staff and students to publish their work. Ventures that show that UMU is willing to lead in knowledge production and communication as its motto states: In virtue and wisdom, lead the world. This newsletter however, will not dwell much on the publications and classroom experiences of faculty and staff but rather will provide a synopsis of what kinds of conversations or debates or analysis people in UMU are engaged in. There is an article that reflects on the teaching of ethics at UMU, which invites us to debate if it is worth it. Another article discusses politics in Uganda and what we can make of it. Another article focuses on the glories of Information and Communication Technology and the evil that can come from it with a particular focus on cyber crime. The students highlight their experiences at UMU and the different activities they are involved in, which enhances their academic life and puts them on the path of excellence. In this issue, we also pay special tribute to one of the faculty who has been a positive influence to many students, Sr. Haflett, who recently retired. There is also a profile of the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Dr. Fr. Joseph Kisekka. There is a resident columnist who has another humorous and yet thought provoking piece. In all, there is much to learn of and from UMU. Please feel free to write back so that we can continue engaging each other on the issues raised by the articles featured. Harriet Mutonyi (PhD)

the edit team orial

This past year too, UMU has experienced growth in the

3

NEWS
THE 16th UMU Graduation Ceremony
Alex Agaba
On 19th November 2010, Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) held its 16th Graduation Ceremony. The occasion began with the Eucharistic celebration of mass. His Eminence Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala, the Archbishop Emeritus Kampala Archdiocese, was the main celebrant. The Mass was animated by the angelic voices of the UMU Chapel choir, traditional dances by students and accompanied by a band. On that day, His Grace Odama John Baptist, Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese who was the newly elected chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference was also installed as the new Chancellor of UMU. In his speech, he welcomed guests to the beautiful UMU campus. He also commended the good work being done by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Charles Olweny. He referred to a Catholic University as an instrument of the church to find the cultural values and treasures that are hidden in each and every one of us. He affirmed that such cultural gems were to enable the church to initiate matching dialogue with the people of God irrespective of their cultural background. He urged the graduands (now graduates) to use and apply wisely the tools that they had acquired from this university and to carry out the development process that was began by Christ himself. A total of one thousand two hundred fourty graduands were awarded certificates, diplomas and degrees. Seven hundred thirty one of these were male while four hundred and ninety five of these were female. The best performing students in different disciplines were awarded prizes for their outstanding work in class and examinations. These included Nantume Christine who won the Centenary Rural Development Bank Award worth 1,000,000 UGS, Tino Olupot Norah who won the Press Award worth 250,000 UGS, Okello Phiona who won the George William and Divine Kavuma Award worth 250,000 UGS, Kiyimba Achileo, Bainomujuni Ellyson Bob and Kakeeto Dominic Savio who each won the Faculty of Health Sciences Awards worth 200,000 UGS and Akora Pamela who won the Firmin-Mess Award worth 250,000 UGS.

at UMU Rubaga Campus and was kicked off with a cocktail . It is at this Rubaga Campus that the Course is being conducted. The occasion was graced by Professor Lennart Salomonsson from Swedish University of Agriculture . Other dignitaries who included a representative from Mekelle University, Dr Zenebe Abraha Kahsay, a representative from the Ugandan Ministry of

Education and Sports, Mrs Ntete Mary and UMU Human Resource Director Mr. Euzebio Akiiki Katoroogo. Present too were UMU Deans and Heads of Faculties and Departments, MSc. Agro-ecology students, UMUSA representatives, National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda (NOGAMU) representatives, Caritas Uganda and farmers where Agro-ecology field and practical sessions (part of Agro-ecology Short Courses) are being conducted. The Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs Assoc. Prof. Joseph Kisekka delivered the Vice Chancellors written Speech. The Course has attracted 74 Pioneer applications from different backgrounds of Agriculture, Social Sciences, economics, Development Studies, Veterinary Medicine among others .This is due to its multidisciplinary approach .Currently it is run on a part time basis as a weekend programme.

Mildmay Centre runs HIV AIDS Peer Educator Workshop

Professor Barnabas Otaala, Dean Faculty of Educatio

A three-day workshop was conducted by Mildmay Centre for 40 UMU students, end of September/ beginning of October 2010. The first day of the workshop was spent on familiarizing participants with basic facts about HIV and AIDS; Impact of HIV/ AIDS on University students,

Launch of Agroecology Ssali Tonny and Dr Nnassuuna Musoke M

It all started with the situation analysis carried out at a Conference in 2007. The Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CUL) at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uganda Martyrs University (UMU), and Mekelle University in Ethiopia identified a need to improve the relevance of Research, education and extension in agriculture. With support from SIDA of Sweden, a programme was developed to promote Agro-ecology in Practice, Education and Training. On 21st January 2011, the pioneer MSc. Agro-ecology and Sustainable Development Course was launched .The function was held

transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS; and Care and Management of HIV/AIDS. The second day was spent on how one can communicate effectively as a peer educator; including understanding effective communication, behaviour change, and positive prevention. The third day was spent on discussing stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS, and the roles and responsibilities of a peer educator. The day ended with preparation of Action Plans which will be implemented in the course of the academic year 2010/ 2011. This was the second time the Mildmay Centre had run a workshop for Uganda Martyrs University. In May 2009, it run a two- day workshop for 30 participants selected from academic and administrative staff, students and workers. Mildmay Centre which deals with HIV/ AIDS prevention care and training is Uganda Martyrs Universitys valuable partner in its fight against HIV & AIDS.

stirred the hearts of the audience and set the mood for a memorable night. The comic animation of the masters of ceremony and the accompanying applause of the audience restated the benevolence of the fine Spire wine we all shared. Conversation and laughter, were only interrupted by a sumptuous meal that was served at the Katonga Hall, Kampala Serena Hotel. The mood went from joy to splendor when, the audience was titillated by a skit that underplayed the misconceptions of architecture in Uganda today. The key note address by Phil Harries, the founding director of Troppo Architects. The 2010 Laureate of the Global Sustainable Architecture Award, offered a first-hand account of the current reality and significance of sustainable architecture. It was accentuated that architecture remains resistant to change especially when one looks out a window in most of Ugandas towns. The harsh realities of the marketplace were hinted upon, stressing the need for students to take advantage of every opportunity and improve themselves. The incident collapses on account of negligence or the competitive edge in the marketplace are each a result of effort or indolence along each students path.It was a reassuring sentiment when a former student now architect swaggered in with lovely wife in hand. The sight served as a modest consolation for continuing students who ruminate on their tedious fumbling in the studio for long unforgiving nights; only to be berated within an inch of sanity The gauntlet is now set before us as we look forward with the sole idea that our profession is about people. After the fancy dresses come off and sumptuous indulgences pass; we should retain the power of the words that will offer the annunciation of truth for those who will listen. Let us remember that it is not what you get that makes you valuable, but what you become.The reality of architecture is visceral not intellectual it is not from books and theories, but from the REAL; from things we touch, feel, walk through and inextricably LIVE.
AFRICAN AND STILL A WOMAN I may be a little light I may be a little dark I dont glide I make heavy steps, everyone knows I have passed I dont smell like sweet flowered perfume Instead I carry along the heavy smell of smoke I may not have small shapely feet Mine may be like that of a little elephant My hair is not long, flowing and soft Instead, its plaited in, dark like farm soil and harder than sisal My hands are chapped, cracked and nails broken Not your magazine type I dont give little shy glances I stare, mama told me to see what I get

FOBE 1010
Achillies Ahimbisibwe, FoBE
TO CHANGE AND STAY THE SAME, a look back at 10 1010 Ace,a 10year-old boy once told me that he wanted to be a tourist. When I asked him why; he gleamed as he recounted how tourists erected their tents; how they wandered through the streets of Kampala without a care in the world; and how they visited different places and learned more about our country than we do. Twenty years later, Ace has visited over 20 countries, and speaks 6 languages fluently. He never passes on a chance to pack a bag and hurl himself into the next fun adventure with friends or strangers. Ace as it turns out, is now an Architect. The 10th of October 2010, was a day for the Faculty of the Built Environment (FoBE) to express its gratitude: to thank our dear parents and benefactors for accepting to bear the brunt of our existence, to thank our tutors and mentors for not giving up on us even when we are stubborn and ungrateful, to thank our competitors for keeping us on our toes and propelling us deeper into the quest for better architecture

education, but most of all thanking the giver of life for allowing us to place our footprint in the sands of time. In a spirit of commemoration, professionals from different walks of life took time out of their daily lives to sit down with us and have a chat. The Gala dinner was hosted by Professor Charles Olweny, who graced the occasion with a welcome speech to the professors, Doctors, and honorable ministers in attendance. Professor Olwenys ornate speech

I dont wear size eight outfits I am plump I am African and still a woman. Pheonah Okori, BAM II

Poetry

Vice Chancellor presides over the release of the ICPAU examination results and the launch of the CPA logo. Alex Agaba
On Monday, 24 January 2011, Vice Chancellor Prof. Charles Olweny presided over the release of the December 2010 ICPAU examinations results for professional accountants and accounting technicians and also the launch of the CPA logo. The function took place at Imperial Royale hotel, Kampala. Present was Mr. Naru Thakkar, President of ICPA, Mr. Derick Nkajja Secretary and CEO, members of Council and other ICPAU dignitaries. Professor Olweny congratulated all those that were to receive meritorious awards for their fine performance. Over 3431 candidates had sat both the CPA of Uganda and Accounts Technician Certificate courses. He defined what a profession was and said that for a profession to meet its societal obligations it issues a code of ethics or behaviour stating the standards by which its members will be judged. He also proudly noted that Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) was founded in 1993 primarily to counteract the observed moral decay in business and professions. Today with 5000 students in 8 faculties and two schools. Ethics remains a compulsory subject irrespective of ones course of study.Professor Olweny also acknolwedged the pride UMU takes in forging strategic alliances with government, non-government organisations, industries other institutions of higher learning and with professional bodies such as Certified Public Accountants.

WE MADE OUR MARK

Susan Ninsiima and Chloe Kermu
On 30th September 2010, a beautiful Thursday morning a group of five participants: Esther Gensi BAM II, Mukasa Bryans FOBE, Uwizera Anthony BAM III, Kermu Chloe BSC II and Twongyeire Florentina IT II readied themselves for a journey to Kampala. Clad in the best formal wear, they arrived at Hotel Triangle at 10:00 am. As tension rose, clearing of voices began, palms got sweaty and silence took over as UMU together with other 17 universities warmed up for their speeches for the battle of the best speaker. The rules of the game were laid down, expectations given with 5 speakers for each university being allocated 5 minutes each and a number of position without use of a microphone. While the judges settled down, tension in the audience rose as speaker after speaker took their turn at speaking. Our very own were not left behind as one by one they calmly took their turn with dignity and confidence. The first UMU speech was about culture, as the speaker took centre stage dressed in African wear and bare footed. She used the space to make the youth understand the values of preserving culture. At the end of the battle, every speaker done, the judges rose to give their verdict picking out sixteen best participants out of the one hundred more eloquent speakers. With pride and honour, 2 of our own made it. With this we want to thank the then Secretary of Information, Ampairwe Andrew, Secretary for Cultural and Community Affairs, Sebudde Mathew and Tshimba David chairman UMUSU council and lastly we want to thank the five participants for raising to the mark and making us proud.

acknowledgemnet
HAFLETT MARY ESTHER

Cong ulat rat ions

Denis Musinguzi a Lecturer IEDS tied the knot with Rose at St.Peters Nsambya catholic church and later the couple hosted their guests at a colourful reception - Kiwatule recreation center. The Gift of a Holy Matrimony One thing often leads to the other, And along a wide horizon a holy matrimony finally betides. By a nature harnessed with divine providence, The spring of life naturally propagates itself, Giving birth to something that doesnt yet exist, The amazing wonder of a new life. True to its state of sacredness, The lifes source does more than assert what it truly is, A noble reckoning of cherished traditions And an extraterrestrial providence by the Mighty Heavens, By which what is earthly kisses what is holy, In an ecstatic embrace. As love yearns to consume itself in a blissful bond, Uncertainty hovers over which course to take: Short, long or medium course. The tradition courts the divine as both lay wide, Their welcoming hands to the yearning souls. Once the path of tradition and holiness wins the bet, The love is blessed by indissoluble arpeggio, The gift of a holy matrimony. Enjoy the viewing!

By Ssengooba George, lecturer IEDS

We pay tribute to Sr. Marie-Esther Haflett. B.A Mathematics (Michigan University) M.A Maths (Notre Dame) M.A Economics (Notre Dame), PhD Economics (Notre Dame), who She joined UMU on the 1st January 1997 and recently retired on 31st August 2010. She started the Faculty of Science when it was breaking away from the faculty of Business administration. From 1999 to 2002, she was the Substantive Dean of the Faculty of Science and also fully engaged in teaching Mathematics and Economics. She also helped in the mentoring of the staff members . She once serverd as University Registrar and also was member of the Senate and Governing Council. while at UMU, she published Fundamental Mathematics Concepts and Fundamental Statistical Concepts among others IN THE WORDS OF HER FORMER STUDENTS Dr. Haflett taught us math in first year BAM(2006). She made maths sooooo easy! Linda Baliddawa, Director, Lindsay Cottages. Sr. Haflett proved maths was fun! I remember her teaching was fresh and I always looked forward to another class with her. Judith Akora (2004-2007), IT Auditor Bank of Uganda Dr. Haflett encouraged hard-work and her best quote its only in the dictionary that success comes before work emphasized the point. She made maths an enjoyable subject even to those who had background in humanities. Learning maths with Dr Haflett was a memorable experience. On a lighter note, her use of print your name instead of saying write your name did confuse a lot of students! Gaspard Kayitare, Msc. Business Information Systems University of East London

By Denis and Rose

FEATURE
Can the teaching of ethics make a difference?
Denis Musinguzi, Lecturer IEDS
Towards the end of the August-December 2010 Semester, the Ethics Alliance of Uganda Martyrs University held its maiden symposium. The symposium was guided by an apparently bizarre and somehow contested theme: Does ethics matter in all fields of study? Hearing from the logically constructed arguments of these gallant student debaters was such a rare joy I have experienced in my life as a lecturer. In the end I was honestly challenged to re-examine my own understanding of ethics, particularly its pedagogical feasibility. As noted by Kaguongo Wambari, a great Kenyan educator, the central place that values occupy in any human society in general, and in the lives of individual members in particular, cannot be overemphasized. The decline in social and moral values inevitably sets off a marked degeneration in the quality of life for the society. In the context of this reality, every society puts in place ways for moral development of the young, upon whom the future rests. Both the family and school structures play a central role as vehicles of moral development. This article focuses on the function of formal education. The purpose of education as articulated by Luigi Giussani is to fashion a new human being. To him, the active factors of the educational process must guide the learner to act with increasing independence and to face the world around him on his own. To do this, the learner must be increasingly exposed to all the elements of his environment, while also gradually allowing him more responsibility for his actions and choices. Indeed, it was due to the foresightedness of the founders of Uganda Martyrs University that this noble vision was enshrined in form of mainstreaming the teaching of ethics across all the courses offered by the University. The philosophical exposition of moral and character development as an educational concern were first articulated by ancient Greek thinkers, notably Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Plato and Aristotle particularly highlighted the possibility and need for teaching moral education. In their timeless education endeavour, these philosophers ably demonstrated that schools, by their nature, should be involved

in shaping the moral character of the learners. In fact, Njoroge, another celebrated educator, observed that the school is one of the institutions within the wider society that need to give the learner a comprehensive ethical vision transcending the school environment. However, while there is wide-range consensus on the need to teach moral values, disagreement abound on which values to teach, who to teach them, and how and when to teach them. To the traditionalists, education in values is an essential part of any education, for without values, the whole person cannot be educated and social anarchy will be the eventual outcome. To modernists, values are important to education but their teaching is not a business of schools, but of the homes and religious institutions. Since schools exist in society, they should not only promote their own goals, but goals of the societies or communities in which they belong. The three elements of morality that a school should develop are the spirit of discipline; the attachment to social needs; and the authority of the will. The spirit is in itself fundamental since morality consists of the body of rules sanctioned by society; and to regularize conduct is a fundamental function of morality. The attachment to society is based on socially cherished moral values that uphold the vitality of society. Giving it a practical dimension, Kaguongo noted that it was due to the state of moral crisis in Kenyan society that the Kenyas National Committee on Educational Objectives and Policies (NCEOP) introduced the teaching of Social Education and Ethics (SEE) in Kenyan Secondary Schools. The purpose of SEE was to help the learners to consider and reflect upon their social and moral values and, where necessary, modify them appropriately for the well-being of the society. Similarly, Harvard Business School established the teaching of ethics cognizant that while students had been equipped with the knowledge of finance, banking and accounts among others, no corresponding efforts were made to equip students with the skills of dealing with moral issues especially at the place of work. The concern of ethics education is therefore to establish the ethical standards that regulate right and wrong conduct. This involves articulating the good habits that the learner should acquire and the consequences that will accrue from his/her decisions, choices or actions. This point of view presents a case for reason in moral decision making, the key element that underpins my teaching of ethics and critical thought. However, some philosophers have downplayed the role of reason in moral assessment in favour of emotion. These are commonly classified as Emotive theorists. For instance, David Hume, a subscriber to emotive theory, argues that moral assessment involves our emotions, and not our reason. According to him, we can amass all the reasons we want, but that alone will not constitute a moral assessment of our actions or decisions. While Hume concedes that reason might be of service in

giving us the relevant data, he maintains that reason is, and ought to be, the slave of the passions. However, this anti-rationalist sentiment was roundly rejected by Immanuel Kant, a more rationally-minded philosopher, who argued that moral assessments are indeed acts of reason. He argues that although emotional factors do influence our conduct, reasons prescribes to us what the good it is that we should do, and the bad that we should reject. Whether this moral knowledge necessarily leads to moral conduct remains a moot question, I am convinced that the knowledge of moral values imbues in the learner a moral consciousness for what is right and wrong, compared with someone without such knowledge. To make ethics education more effective, this article recommends a methodological shift from didactic teaching, which is authoritarian and uncritical; to engaged teaching which is participatory, insightful and critical.

Okello Christine Laura in 2007, Patricia Namuyimba in 2008, and Okello Phiona in 2010. The Institute of Ethics and Development Studies also has the Press Award worth 250,000 UGS given to a final year student with the best Dissertation. The following have managed to get the award since 2003; Otwi Godfrey in 2003, Bukirwa Fiona in 2004, Cuthbert Tukundane in 2005, Elizabeth Ondoru in 2006, Komuhangi Peninah in 2007, Sophia T. G. Mwakaliku in 2008, Komujuni Sophie in 2009 and Tino Olupot Norah in 2010. The faculty of Science offers the Robert and Annabella Kahle Award worth USD 250 to the best performing student in the fields of mathematics and/ or computer science upon Graduation. This award has been given to the different students since 2001 and they are; Mr. Geoffrey Malunda in 2001, Clovis Butoke in 2002, Ssozi JohnMary in 2003, Fr. Ssebanenya Justin in 2004, Agnes Ayer in2005, Nancy Laura M in 2006,

ACADEMIC AWARDS AT UMU

Eleanor Naisikwe, BAM II
The mission of Uganda Martyrs University is to provide quality higher education and it aims at equipping its students with tools that will create an element of proficiency in whatever they do. Academic excellence is one of the universitys objectives and thus students are motivated to strive to excel through the different awards which carry a prize that are presented to the best performing students in the different disciplines for their outstanding work in class examinations annually during the graduation ceremony. Just as one author, Wallace Walter said, it is very important to have an attitude of gratitude, the university upholds a policy that encourages hard work as eligible students are rewarded for their hard work. The different faculties of the University offer different awards. The Faculty of Built Environment offers awards like the Firmin-Mees Award in Environmental Design which is presented to the top ranked graduating student. A student receives a certificate and a monetary award. A student should have an average of 65% and above or higher in the programme. In the academic year 2006, Emmanuel Kayanja received the award, in 2007 it was taken by Samuel Muganga and in 2010 Akora Pamela Elwor-Konga got the award. The Michael Lejeune award worth UGX 250,000 is given to the best Bachelor of Architecture graduate who attains an overall grade mark of 65% and above. Royii Leonard. R got the award in 2006; Nakibuuka Janelle in 2007 and Kayanja Emmanuel got the award in 2009. There is also the Mulder award which was awarded to Mbaziira Alex in 2003 and to Nuwamanya Daniel in 2004. In the faculty of Business Administration and Management, there is the Centenary Rural Development Award worth UGX 1,000,000 given to a second year student majoring in Accounting and Finance. This award has been in existence since 2001 to date. The record holders include; Miss Irene Odinga in 2001, Annemary Nanyanza, Josephine Balikudembe in 2002, Andiru Caroline in 2003, Athieno Elizabeth Clare in 2004, Mary Nabaggala in 2005, Olivia Nanteza in 2006, Tumwizere Ronald Roy in 2007, Nakacwa Sandra in 2008, Niyongabo Natasha in 2009 and Nantume Christine in 2010. The George William and Divine Kavuma Award worth UGX 250,000 is given to the best final year student. Four students have managed to get this award since 2006 to date and they are; Sr. Harriet Nakirya in 2006,

Nakiweewa Susan in 2007, Joan Byamugisha in 2008 and Nyafwono Tabitha Okongo in 2009. The Faculty of health sciences offers the following awards; The Health Science Award worth UGX 200,000 given to the best student in Advanced Diploma in Health Promotion and Education which was given to Bainomujuni Ellyson Bob in 2010, the Health science award worth 300,000 UGX given to the best student in Master of Science in Health Services Management which was given to Kiyimba Achilleo in 2010 and the Health Science Award worth UGX 200,000 given to the best student in Advanced Diploma in Health Services Management which was given to Kakeeto Dominic Savio in 2010. The awards have been given to different people since 2006 and they include; Michael Abaasiku, Phillip Asindua and Stephen Cherubino in 2006, Patrick Birigwa, Dr. Charles Olaro and Sr. Londunga Margaret in 2007, Charles Birungi and John Bosco Okao in 2008 and to Anguyo Robert, Rester Boniface and Atimo Regina in 2009. Conclusively, it should be noted that these accolades are meant to recognize the different students for their outstanding performance in their different disciplines and also encourage the continuing students to work hard for similar recognition.

pictorial

Professor Charles L.M Olweny VC UMU at the ceremony

umu shows off its programs

UMU staff attending the ceremony

student volunteers during the exhibition with PRO of UMU

Archibishop of Tororo His Grace Denis Lote Kiwanuka giving his speech

Thieng Adhola Charles Owor(guest of honor)

OPENING OF THE MBALE CAMPUS 18TH OCTOBER 2010

Associate Professor Dr. Simeon Wanyama

marching through Mbale municipality

10

Mr. Alex Mulooki Director Global Professional Solutions

Mr. Derick Nkajja Secretary/CEO ICPAU

A small chat after the ICPAU breifing Mr. Sameer Thakkar Partner, A.H Thakkar and Sons

ICPAU BREIFING AT UMU & UMUCS OUTREACH

UMUCS kick off the outreach

UMUCS offering service to the community UMUCS committee

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profile
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JOSEPH KISEKKA WHO IS HE?
For starters, Professor Joseph Kisekka is the Deputy ViceChancellor of Uganda Martyrs University in charge of Academic Affairs. For those who have been at the University, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor doesnt need an introduction. In this issue, we profile the DVC AA and his view of who he is and what he stands for. Newsletter: Who is Professor Joseph Kisekka? PJK: I was born in March 1959 in Katigondo, Villa Maria Parish, Masaka District. At birth I was named Sikayanirabyabanange (loosely translating as I dont claim other peoples property) but I dont use the name because it is too long. [Do you stick to the meaning of that name though? Sure. In fact, I prefer fairness to charity. You do not exploit me first and then pretend to be doing me a favour.] I was later also named Kisekka and christened Joseph at baptism. I started schooling in 1965. At the time, I knew how to read and write because I got lessons from my aunt before going to school. For a reason I have never understood, my father made me repeat Primary seven. I did my secondary education and high school certificate at Bukalasa Minor Seminary. During my high school certificate course, I vowed not to continue to the major seminary if I didnt pass my examinations to qualify to join Makerere University. During that time, it seemed as if seminarians who continued to the major seminary were those who had more or less failed their high school certificate examinations. However, I passed the examinations and I was admitted to Makerere University. At the same time, I got a scholarship tenable at Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, Italy. The scholarship was open in a way that funds would be provided for me to study up to PhD as long as I did well in my studies. So I went to Italy, where I did a BA Philosophy and BA Theology. Philosophy interested me most. I excelled in all my courses and got first class degrees. In 1984 I came back to Uganda for ordination after which I worked as a parish priest in charge of schools in Makukulu Parish, Masaka Diocese, for one and a half years.

in Africa, and The council for Research in values and Philosophy, Washington D.C, 2002, PP. 67-81. In 1990, when I returned from Rome, I was posted to manage money in Masaka Diocese. At first I could not figure out the link between philosophy and money. So I decided to do philosophy of money, focusing on how to make and invest money for the diocese. I also taught at Katigondo Major Seminary from 19902001 and I was visiting Lecturer at Alokolum Major Seminary in 2003. In 1996 I was posted to manage a one square mile farm and I transformed it into a high income generating project. This experience helped me to connect with the environment in a special way and, up to today, I am still a farmer. I am also a self made environmentalist. Newsletter:: So how did you come to Uganda Martyrs University? PJK: In 2001 Uganda Martyrs University advertised, calling for someone to teach Ethics. That attracted me to Uganda Martyrs University. The University is mainstreaming ethics in everything; not teaching it just as a course in one department as it happens at other universities. At the same time, I had been appointed as a lecturer at Makerere University. I decided to leave the appointment at Makerere and come to Nkozi where it is conducive to do things that I enjoy like reading, research and teaching. Most of all, I was attracted to UMU because of its rurality. UMUCN: But you are Deputy Vice-chancellor (Academics)!

I decided to leave the appointment at Makerere and come to Nkozi where its conducive to do things that I enjoy like reading, research and teaching.
PJK: Two years after my appointment, my colleagues chose me to be the director of the Institute of Ethics and Development Studies. I have never known why because I did not ask anybody for the position. I accepted on condition that I was to serve for one term of three years. I was hesitant to join Administration because it has a way of tying you down (dealing with problems) yet I had come to Uganda Martyrs University to read and do research. The upside of the job of Director though is that it taught me to be patient. Before, I always wanted to do things my way. But leading people who include equals and seniors and juniors taught me how to be patient. I considered myself as being a servant and we valued fairness, openness, teamwork and commitment. Looking back, it was a good experience. However, I ended up staying in the job for six years. Then the University called for applicants for promotion and the position of Deputy Vice-chancellor in charge of Academics. I thought I could go in for the promotion. I submitted my papers because I thought they were acceptable. Thats when I was promoted to Associate Professor. I did not apply to become DVC. I was on my farm planting trees when I received a phone call the caller informed me that I had been appointed to the position and asked me if I accepted the appointment. I said that I would try. Newsletter: Looking back, have you made some achievements at Uganda Martyrs University? 12

I prefer fairness to charity. You do not exploit me first and then pretend to be doing me a favour.
I went back to Rome to do my MA (Philosophy) and PhD. I wrote on [the] World and History in the Romantic Thought of Thomas Carlyle and my thesis has been printed twice, in 1990 and in 2001. My other publications include; Africas Response to Globalisation in Mtafiti Mwafrika (African Researcher), Celebrating 10 years of Academic Excellence. eds. Peter Kanyandago and Levis Mugumya, Africa Research and Documentation Centre, The Destiny of the individual in Contemporary Africa in Ethics, Human Rights and Development

At one time I was a director for the Institute of Ethics and Development Studies. I made a mark through adhering to the general University rules and approaching my colleagues as friends. I dont dilly dally! I mean what I say and stand by it until you convince me otherwise. But I always provide you with an opportunity to present your side of the argument. I think I was leading a sophisticated group. They are free people. Many of them are accomplished professors and free thinkers. For me, getting such people to work together as a team is an important achievement. I maintained our strategic international relations. Notre Dame University started with collaborating with the Institute of Ethics and Development Studies. So did Halifax St. Marys University in Canada. I also maintained the collaboration with Ladboud University and Gronningen University. I have also accompanied many students and fellow staff. As DVC AA, I think am doing whatever I am doing in line with what is described in the Universitys statutes and charter. The achievements in this regard are ours not mine. I am a facilitator because I cannot achieve much by myself. But as a group, I think we are achieving a lot. Our quality assurance committee is functional. The curriculum review committee, of which I am chair, is also functional. I am also working with the Research Directorate to strengthen research at the University. We are also putting emphasis on community engagement through the Directorate of Outreach. These are our achievements as a University. Much as we may be teaching similar programs as other universities, Uganda Martyrs University is teaching these programs differently. Newsletter:: As the Deputy Vice-chancellor in charge of

Academics, what is your vision for Uganda Martyrs University? PJK: My vision coincides with that of the university. I would like to see a university of national and international repute and this reputation should come through research. We have to abandon what I call the Kambalabyeko or katukomewo type of research (loosely translated let me come back) as if the phenomenon being researched on ceases to occur when you are gone. We should adopt an action based and grounded research. I am also trying to encourage lecturers not to spend all the hours in classteaching from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm. Allow people to go out and interface with the living librarythe community. PJK: Each one of us is unique. Here I quote Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala who says that God does not create photocopies. We are all unique yet we are supposed to work together in that uniqueness. Everyone has a role to play and beauty lies in finding out that role and harnessing it.

Much as we may be teaching similar programs as other universities, Uganda Martyrs University is teaching these programs differently.
Edited by Jude Ssempebwa

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OPINION
Of Political Violence, Justice, Human Rights and Basic Freedoms Mr. BALIGIDDE, Samuel Herbert Interim Director, East African School of Diplomacy, Governance and International Studies
A cynic once observed, the last place in which I would look for justice is a Court of Law even though to many justice and law are synonymous, and others agree that justice is what the law is supposed and indeed produces. Justice according to Scholar Worsely involves an impartial and fearless act of choosing a solution for a dispute within a legal order, having regard to the human rights which that order protects. I was shocked when an old acquaintance told me that justice and life had become the preserve only of the filthy rich! There has never been a time when there was so much concern about political violence vis--vis justice and human rights as there is today worldwide. The concepts of a human rights culture free of violence means different things to different people. To some, it means ensuring that every citizen and non-citizen is treated with respect for their inherent dignity and human worth. To others, it means that judges, the police, and immigration officials are required to protect the interests of even terrorists, criminals, and other undesirable elements such as sorcerers and parasitic economic refugees at the expense of the interests and security of law-abiding citizens! Our ability to think through and understand violence as an instrument of justice, and responsibility in the context of political life in a society in which politics has become a vicious powerplay and wealth a religion that carries with it the threat of human injury and sometimes even death, is limited. The fact that the police and judges often let people who commit serious crimes off the hook due to the lack of sufficient evidence often enrages the public and especially the relatives of the victims of violence or heinous crimes, and suggests that despite the disagreements over how justice and evidence or evidence and fact should be related, there are benefits to attempting to correlate the two. But as social analyst Mohamed Charfi opines, We cannot ask judges to be heroes in order to be just. They should be able to 14

be just without being heroes. Lord Wright outlined the guiding principle of a judge in deciding cases as being to do justice; justice according to the law, but still justice what is just in a particular case is what appears to be just to the just man, in the same way as what is reasonable appears to be reasonable to the reasonable man, he said. Sections of the media have alluded to the existence of Cadre Judges who could competently ensure that Jacobinism (the 18th Century French Jacobin style Courts that violate certain basic legal rights) does not take over the administration of justice. Jurisprudence is difficult to understand but we need to reconsider what it means to pursue justice in light of the fact that violence or the threat of violence is still the modus operandi of not only extremist groups of all description but also human, social and especially but unfortunately political relationships in Africa, Latin America and Asia. It is alleged that the media focuses too much on man bites dog kind of stuff; that it hypes only bad news about patriotic regimes and devotes not enough coverage of government activities, explaining the governments development programmes and policies or the mighty National Armies successes in fighting the enemies of the State. It is further alleged that the media is unfair, hostile and biased against those regimes; that intellectuals live in Ivory Towers, far removed from reality. Never mind that in a recent BBC Programme World Have Your Say one of the participants, with tongue in cheek, hit below the belt when she gleefully referred to Intellectuals who say good things about bad regimes as useful idiots! By Jove! Is this not an attack on intellectual objectivity, I thought; closing our eyes and ears when something positive has been done by the Regime and not giving credit where it is due, but hyping only the negatives? Apologists of peremptory regimes suggest that Press Freedom should be guaranteed only when the media becomes responsible! It is expected to be professional, no doubt, but arguments about responsibility, where responsibility means unprincipled pro-regime praise is not only peremptory, it is presumptive. I stand to be corrected, but neither the media nor the academia have to be responsible in order to be free; their freedoms are fundamentally guaranteed by the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and are expressly acknowledged by the 1995 Uganda Constitution, arent they? For better or worse, academic and press freedoms are

constitutional rights, not privileges to be conferred only when Journalists, Academicians and Students behave. In my opinion, the independent Media and Institutions of Higher Learning owe no obligation to Governments. In true democracies, the medias societal responsibilities are to inform and educate the Public; not the Governments agent or mouthpiece. Rather, the media is and ought to be the electorates watchdog, shouldnt it? And the Elite change agents, shouldnt they? The Right Honourable Prime Minister Professor Apolo Nsibambi once alluded to Universities being factories of ideas that needed to be politically irrigated. What could have been his meaning? Anyhow, this was in a Keynote Speech read for him by Professor Tarsis Bazana Kabwegyere at the opening of the Inter-University Council for East Africa Conference of Chancellors and Vice Chancellors held at Hotel Africana in 2004. But with due respect to the former Chancellor of my Alma mater, intellectual ideas do not have to be politically irrigated to be intellectually sound or for them to be applicable to sustainable socio-economic advancement for the benefit of humankind, do they? Only in a free environment can great ideas be generated, nurtured and the frontiers of knowledge extended.

Cybercrime, the New Number One Criminal Money Maker Rahman Sanya, Computer Science & Information Systems
Cybercrime may be defined as a crime committed using a computer or network, or a hardware device such as a mobile phone. After all, mobile phones are these days used to perform important transactions including financial payments (e.g., ZAP and Mobile Money) and so they may be used to commit crime. Cybercrime can take numerous forms ranging from intercepting data in transit (e.g., your credit card number can be intercepted during transmission from your web browser to the sellers web server during online payment) to copyright infringement (e.g., software piracy), financial fraud, unauthorized access to computing resources, child pornography, cyberstalking, cyberterrorism, and cyberespionage. In identity theft, a thief steals important data such as your social security number, credit card number, and medical records that may be stored somewhere in a database and then uses this information to, for example make purchases against your money or claim your savings. Imagine someone steals your identity and personal health information to impersonate you to claim your medical insurance benefits! Cybercrime is often facilitated by programmes called crimeware which include keystroke loggers, viruses, rootkits or Trojan horses. These programs normally exploit weaknesses in operating systems, databases, web servers, web browsers, and websites. For your information, no software is 100% secure, but 15

there lots of things you can do to harden your computer. Statistics show that globally cybercrime is on the rise. Identity theft, one of the commonest forms of cybercrime has continued to rise since 2003, with the highest number of incidents reported in 2009 according to Javelin Strategy and Research Inc though they did provide stats. Cybercrime is mostly motivated by money, with experts believing that it has surpassed illegal drug trafficking as the number one moneymaker for criminals. In countries such as the U.S cybercrime is considered a national security threat. The perpetrators of cybercrime can be varied ranging from your ten year old computer whiz kid to students, employees, and highly skilled computer users. Individuals as well as institutions (banks, insurance companies, government agencies, universities, etc) can fall victim to cybercrime as long as they indulge in some form of electronic transaction, connect their computers to the Internet, use the Web to provide or obtain services, give out their vital data to other parties, etc. Studies have shown that without proper security, your PC can become infected within four minutes of connecting to the Internet. The mighty have not been spared by cybercriminals; for example in 2009 Googles systems were hacked into in an attack dubbed Operation Aurora. Back home in Uganda, the Ministry of Defenses website was defaced by suspected terrorist sympathizers. Cybercrime is sophisticated and real. Now that it is here with us to stay the question you need to ask yourself as a person or as an institution is Am I safe?

THE NEW UMUSU

We also want to congratulate the new office bearers for the Uganda Martyrs University Students Union who have also been part of the UMU Newsletter Editorial Board 1. 2. 3. 4. Bukomeko Bernardine, President elect Esther Gensi, vice President Buti Ceaser Ayebazibwe Rebecca Kyaka

The full election story to be covered in our next newsletter vol 18, issue 2
Vol. 17 - Aug 2010 Issue 1, June

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FACE IN THE CROWD

By Esther Gensi
Who is Marian? A simple fashionable, friendly, nagging, loving and confident lady who stands out of the crowd. Proudly coming from a family of

Book Review
Conflict and Peace Building: Theological and Ethical Foundations for a Political Reconstruction of The Great Lakes Region of Africa Author: Maximiano Ngabirano Year of Publication: 2010 Publisher: Uganda Martyrs University Book Series So many scholarly accounts have been produced by a wide range of academics and experts in the area of conflict and peace in the Great Lakes region of Africa. Ngabirano is one of the few that have gone beyond what other scholars routinely recount and suggest. Not only does the author in his 276-page account provide a descriptive history of conflict in this region, but most importantly the book rightly outlines the theological and ethical grounds for a political as well as socio-economic restoration of the Great Lakes region of Africa.

seven being the lastborn. What about you stands out the most? My ego, self esteem and talents. Tell us about your academic background. I went to Safari kindergarten(1993-94), Kitante Primary school(1995-2001), St.Josephs Naggalama(2002-2009) where I was class monitress(S.1-S.4), chairperson choir(S.3-S.6), peer counselor(S.3-S.4), and head girl. I was not allowed a chance at leadership in my primary because the brightest kids were given the posts. What are your passions/ what do you enjoy doing? Of course singing for God and also with a band (soon joining), hanging around friends and talking about life and comforting people. Also driving and watching animations like Madagascar and Tom and Jerry. How do you manage to balance your passions with academics? I always do things when they must be done. I have a passion for things that I want done and I follow my heart. I do not use timetables but I use diaries. I do not procrastinate. What has influenced your life the most? When people praise you for something nice about you and dump you for something small the next moment. Single mothers and the hard work they go through to raise their children. Also, the journey to my being head girl and people who love unconditionally. What has UMU added to your life? The zeal for togetherness, friends of course the bachelors degree, international establishment. Zeal to stand strong in the difficult times and technical know who. What is your impression of UMU? A place to be for those who know what they want, love what they do and value their tomorrow. And it is worth maintaining that way.

Re-reading the major biblical narratives that portray suffering in the human condition, namely; the Cain/Abel, Joseph/his brothers, and Jesus Cross narratives, the author goes on making a sophisticated comparison of these three biblical narratives of conflict in human history with the grand narratives of the Great Lakes of Africa, namely; the pre-colonial, colonial, and post-independence narratives. Also, the book sufficiently points to the recollections (community memories) that are rejuvenated through such community stories (narratives).The first chapter of this book starts by describing conflict in human condition as an ethical as well as a theological issue. Each ethnic community in this regard understand themselves as the in-group with a very unique historical experience which gives a kind of ethical justification for exclusion of the otherthose who do not belong to the in-group. This exclusion, however, goes beyond mere segregation or discrimination and takes on heinous descriptions of mass annihilation of those belonging to a parallel community story. Thus, conflict is born from a mythical interpretation of difference in identities and belongingness, then fuelled by European imperialism (colonial rule) followed by the unavoidable challenges of governance in the newly politically independent countries of this region. In the subsequent chapters, the author articulately elaborates ethical and theological references explaining such identity conflict based on the past embedded with dangerous narratives and bitter memories that seriously challenge the very notions of justice and peace-building, dependent on whether one is listening to the victims story or the offenders. The book ends with an ethical as well as theological framework for social and political re-building of the region. The author courageously echoes theological recommendations for peace-building in this region, which are embodied in the virtues of forgiveness and reconciliation as elucidated in the Gospel.For those who still wonder why conflict among different ethnic communities in this region continues to persist, Ngabirano responds by stating that affinity to the past in the case of the Great Lakes of Africa makes individuals who narrate the same story to perceive people of a different narrative as strangers or outsiders, who do not even deserve equal treatment. This book finally presents to the world seeking peace in the Great Lakes region of Africa a typology of victimhood, from which everyone disturbed by identity conflict could see urgency for and conviction of a new model of peace-building in the region.

David N. Tshimba, d.tshimba@umu.ac.ug

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YOU AND I MUST FIGHT IT

Uganda Martyrs University Computer Society UMUCS Alem Abebe Bedada-Bsc.IT II

The Uganda Martyrs University Computer Society (UMUCS) was launched on the 24th March 2007. It is a forum for people who are interested in Computer Science and Information and Communication Technology. The purpose of this forum is to unite various interests and skills in order to stay on top of the developments in this fast changing field. Our activities include presentations, outreach programs, handson and practical activities, career guidance, computer training for the Nkozi community and linking up with other universities. We are not only limited to the Faculty of Science. If youve read anything at all about us, youll probably know at least three things: we are the most popular club at UMU, we are a club of self learners and computer enthusiasts. We can be very useful for your business planning as you think of your future. What makes us different from other associations on campus is that, ours is not a culture, tribe, money or race oriented society. We have been established for all students at UMU and are proudly supported by the Faculty of Science and the Information and Communications Technology Department. Come join us and take advantage of different opportunities provided by the society. UMUCS doesnt even require new members to know HTML, PHP, JAVA, MYSQL, or Computer Networks knowledge. Every body is welcome.

Lady Christine Nakyejwe, MAED

The school system has of recent expanded very much with the onset of Universal Secondary Education (USE), a political programme that has had the first students sitting UNEB examinations in 2010. The expansion of the students population came at a time when emphasis is on science subjects. So, little effort is put on language. The students ignorantly neglect English language thinking it does not count in the practical world of science. Teachers of English language have also not been so many, so it is therefore possible to find undertrained teachers lacking the proficiency of Standard English teaching the language. In a phenomenon where the language teacher is overloaded or incompetent, the language acquisition is not prioritized and made worse with the general attitude of the people encouraging gangster mentality, in which situation it proves possible for a teacher to lose hope of ever acquiring Standard English on the learners other than bare communication. Fairbain and Winch (1996) in Reading, Writing and Reasoning, 2nd Ed, say that sometimes people elaborate what they write by the addition of useless words. For example, they might refer to something as being absolutely perfect instead of perfect. Someone trying to persuade you to take a holiday in her hilly resort might refer to it as being hilly in character instead of hilly. She might refer to something as absolutely unique instead of unique there are no gradations of uniqueness. There are two reasons that they have been persuaded that doing so will make their writing interesting, or they might do so in the attempt to make their writing more impressive. Neither reason is a good one since they only call for unnecessary hyperboles. It is unfortunate that basing on the above, a teacher who gets students speaking correct grammar in other parts except the few ghetto influences, feels he has nothing to worry about and if he does, they will think him frivolous and unserious. Thus, the battle for Standard English is slowly getting lost hence an assault that is mounted by the media through the music and movies learners get exposed to. The battle is just starting. 17

Uganda Martyrs University Statistical Association UMUSA Ms. Chloe Khermu

Uganda Martyrs University Statistical Association (UMUSA) was established on the 29 October 2010 on the day it adopted its constitution. We are a corporate member of the Uganda Statistical Society (USS) and also linked to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS). This is thanks to the efforts of Mr. Muyanja Tom (former Dean), Mr Kikawa Cliff (Lecturer), Mr. Barasa Marshall Macho (USS), Mr Buti Ceasor Galdino (student) and Ms. Chloe Khermu (student). The association has a vision where young statisticians come up and use statistics to solve the socio-economic problems. The Association has become autonomous and hence is offering extra activities and knowledge including practical lessons to students. Our upcoming activities include SPSS and STATA presentations, workshops and field work. Long live UMUSA!

UMU ALUMNa WINS EAST AFRICAN REGIONAL AWARD Alex Agaba

In 2010, The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA) in collaboration with FARA, Yam-Pukri, CAFAN, AYF, ANAFE and PAFPNET, invited entries for an essay writing contest on Youth and ICTs in Agriculture and Rural Development, aimed at identifying innovative solutions on challenges faced by youth in agriculture and rural areas using Information and communication Technologies (ICTs). The essay contest was one of the activities organized by CTA to commemorate the International Year of Youth established by the United Nations. The competition which offered a grand prize of up to 1,500 Euros was part of the Agriculture, Rural Development and Youth in the Information Society (ARDYIS) project which is a framework for actions that will contribute to the promotion of opportunities for youth in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries in the sectors of agriculture, Rural Development and ICTs. Maureen Agena an alumnus of Uganda Martyrs University, BSC IT class of 2005 was one of the 12 finalists of the ARDYIS essay contest. Her essay entitled Increasing Rural Agricultural Productivity Through Technology focused on a young moderns farmer, a native of Apac district and a fruit grower who is using ICTs innovatively to improve on his yields in fruit farming. She noted that the youthful farmer, Gilbert Egwel considers the mobile phone as the most important ICT because of its ability to combine audio, video and text functions. He uses it to make money transfers, mainly through mobile money as well as verbally contact his clients Maureen believes that Gilberts fruit growing project can be replicated in other parts of Africa. In a videos interview, she says that for a long time, Agriculture has been an underdeveloped sector despite its importance and relevance to developing countries. She stresses that the youth have a big role to play given the fact that they comprise of the biggest number of ICT users yet the least of agriculturalists. The gap between youth using ICTs and youth practicing agriculture has to be bridged. She concludes by saying that if ICTs such as mobile phones and computers have found applications in every conceivable area where people work and interact like businesses, health and educational institutions, then they (ICTs) need to be used in one of the most important sectors in Uganda-AGRICULTURE.Maureen Agena emerged an East Africa Regional winner and received a trophy, 1,000 Euros and reading material. As a result of this, she was expected to attend an advanced web 2.0 training and networking workshop in Accra, Ghana in March 2011.

The prizes were handed over by eminent personalities. Dr. Mayaki, CEO, NEPAD handed over the trophy to the overall winner from Jamaica whereas Maureen received hers from Mr. Michael Hailu, Director, CTA in Johannesburg, South Africa November 2010. Maureen is currently a recipient of the Canadian Commonwealth scholarship (On exchange program) for her MSc IS course at St. Marys University in Nova Scotia, Canada a University. UMU is proudly associated to it through a Memorandum of Understanding. Important Links http://www.cta.int http://ardyis.cta.int/en/resources/publications/item/85-%E2%80%9Castory-of-a-young-modern-fruit-grower-in-apac-northernuganda%E2%80%9D

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COLUMNIST
Apology to my Mother tongue By Jimmy Spire Ssentongo
Dear Mother Tongue, I write you this letter in apology for the desertion and humiliation that I have caused you. It is a long list of wrongs to you that I want to confess. Given how I have treated you, I know I dont even qualify to address you as dear any more. I request you to know that, despite all challenges, you are still on my mind though you are less and less on my lips. My unbecoming attitude towards you has grown over time. To some extent, I will blame it on those who taught me in my early days. Back in primary school, I used to be punished severely for associating with you. I was caned in front of assemblies of all pupils; I was made to wear big cow horns around my neck for full days; and to clean the school compound for having spoken you. I was advised to reserve you for holidays, which were only three months of the twelve months of the year. Honestly that left me with little time to learn and love you. Though I condemn the methods used, I believe the intentions of those who forced me to speak English (your sister/brother) were good. I have actually tasted many of the fruits of that night walk. As I was told, I have noticed that I need English (as the lingua franca/Language of Wider Communication) to expand my horizons beyond tribe and country. Of that I am grateful and would love to connect with more of your brothers and sisters such as Lugbara, Runyankore, Rukiga, Acholi, Lusoga, Runyoro, Langi, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish and more. What I regret is the fact that I had to associate with your brother English at your expense. I wish I had treated you as equal to your other sisters

and brothers. A lingua franca is a way of coping with linguistic and cultural differences, not a way of eliminating them. But I have failed to observe that. Since I was trained to shun you at school, I have grown up with a semi-conscious mentality that English is superior to you. With this mentality, I despise those who associate with you! I laugh at them for speaking their mother tongue. It is worse when they cant speak English, even if it is not their fault that they cant speak it. I listen to people speak, sometimes only looking out for their imperfections in speaking English. But I dont mind (or even care) if they make mistakes in speaking you. After all, in my mind you are an inferior language not worth being spoken by educated people like me. Sometimes, I plainly feel ashamed of associating with you in public! I admire people with British and American accents, but hold low those whose accentuation is influenced by their mother tongues! What have I become? Forgiveness for all this may be too much to expect from you. But with your persistence and patience I know you will find a place in your heart of hearts to write my misdeeds off, however grave they may be. It is with a repentant heart that I come with. I want to make thorough use of this confession box. In his popular book, The Clash of Civilisations, Samuel Huntington says that following independence, the elites needed to distinguish themselves from the common people of their societies. Fluency in English, French, or another Western language did this. As a result, elites of nonWestern societies are often better to communicate with Westerners and each other than with the people of their society. Reading these words, I shamefully see Huntingtons finger pointing at me. You must be feeling so much pain that even when I am talking to someone of the same mother tongue I prefer to use English! I was told you are not official, and I abide. But even outside office? I have to save myself from the drama figure I have become. How come that even when I try to speak my mother tongue I prefer to unnecessarily fuse in so many English words! Even when they serve no better purpose! Okucheckinga, Okucontrollinga, ndi pissed, toli serious ...! But I try hard not to export

my mother tongue into English! Speech-wise, I am a nuisance to my friends who never saw enough blackboards. When I am pronouncing names of Ugandan villages and towns, I try to make them sound English! Did you hear me twist Kampala, Namugongo, Nakapiripit, Jinja, Mbarara...? I am sorry for all that disgust. I am regaining my senses after making several observations as I associate with other people. Germans will speak to fellow Germans in German, not English and so will the British, the Dutch and the French. Some French people actually take it to radical levels. They may not respond to you if you do no start by greeting them in French, at least to show that you are trying to learn it. Well, I dont call for that. But questions linger in my mind. Why am I shunning my mother tongue! Why am I so quick to learn many other things apart from my own? Am I brainwashed? Is this mental slavery, self-enslavement, an inferiority complex, neo-colonialism... ? Are these chains that cant be broken? I agree that my school and other social experiences have contributed significantly in making me this person in a crisis of pride. But above all I believe that it will take my will and courage to assess my choices and actions. Therefore, as I end this letter, I want to count myself forgiven on account of my humility in admitting my wrongs and committing myself to not only love you more but also literally give you deserving lip-service. Your prodigal son,

Vol. 17

- Aug 2010 Issue 1, June

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Dear Reader, Hello, We would love your contributions, articles and reviews plus feedback on the newsletter. happy reading yours sincerely The newsletter team

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Diploma Programmes Computer Science AND Information Technology (FT, PT) Democracy and Development Studies (DL) Health Promotion and Education (FT) Health Services Management (FT) Local Governance and Human Rights (DL) Micro Finance and Community Economic Development (DL) Primary Education (DL) Clinical Mentoring (FT) Undergraduate Programmes Advanced Diploma (Environmental Design) (FT) Advanced Diploma (Health Services Management) (FT) Advanced Diploma (Health Promotion and Education) (FT) Advanced Diploma (Health Insurance Management) (FT) Bachelor of Arts (Ethics and Development Studies) (FT) Bachelor of Arts (Democracy and Development Studies) (DL) Bachelor of Arts (Local Governance and Human Rights) (DL) Bachelor of Arts (Micro Finance and Community Economic Development) (DL) Bachelor of Social Development and Counseling (Day, Eve - Rubaga) Bachelor of Business Administration and Management (FT, PT) Bachelor of Education (Primary) (DL) Bachelor of Environmental Design (FT) Bachelor of Science (Organic Agriculture) (DL) Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) (DL) Bachelor of Science (Business Economics) (FT) Bachelor of Science (Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science) (FT) areas of specialization: BSc (Economics and Statistics) BSc (Economics and Computer Science) BSc (Economics and Mathematics) BSc (Statistics and Computer Science BSc (Mathematics and Computer Science) BSc (Mathematics and Statistics) Bachelor of Science (Financial Mathematics) (FT) Bachelor of Science (Information Technology) (FT) Postgraduate Programmes Postgraduate Diploma (International Trade, Policy and Law) (PT) Postgraduate Diploma (Teaching and Learning in Higher Education) (DL) Master of Architecture (Professional)/PG Diploma (FT) Master of Science (Agro-Ecology)/PG Diploma (PT) Master of Business Administration/PG Diploma (FT, PT) Master of Human Rights/PG Diploma (PT) Master of Science (Development Economics)/PG Diploma (FT, PT) Master of Science (Health Services Management)/PG Diploma (FT) Master of Science (Information Systems)/PG Diploma (FT, PT) Master of Science (ICT Management, Policy and Architectural Design) (PT) Master of Arts (Development Studies)/PD Diploma (FT, PT, DL) Master of Arts (Education and Development)/PG Diploma (FT) Master of Arts (International Trade, Policy and Law) (PT) Master of Arts (Local Governance and Human Rights)/PG Diploma (DL) Master of Arts (Sustainable Peace and Conflict Management)/PG Diploma (FT) Master of Medicine in Pediatrics (FT) Master of Medicine in Surgery (FT) Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine (FT) Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynecology (FT) Note: PG Postgraduate, FT- Full-time; PT- Part-time and DL Distance Learning. Evening programmes run from 6.00pm-9.00pm and PT on Friday and Saturday. FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT The Registrar Uganda Martyrs University P.O. Box 5498 KAMPALA Uganda Tel: (+256) 0454 660084 Fax: (+256) 038 410100 Email: registrar@umu.ac.ug Website: http://www.fiuc.org/umu

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