The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘motto’ as a short sentence or phrase used as a guide or rule of behaviour expressing a suitable sentiment. A lot is indeed loaded in this motto but at a glance of an eye one can perceive that Nkumba University is dedicated to the service of mankind, always giving back to the community.

Nkumba University has served Uganda and to some extent, the rest of Africa for a decade. She is ten years old and still growing. She boasts of an illustrious past as a College of Commerce. Her sentiments are and have always been to produce purpose driven education in her graduants in whom the four ‘C’s — character, competence, creativity and confidence have been drilled. Society should therefore expect a lot from Nkumba University graduates. Small and only ten years old she has already made strides in this. With the upcoming additions to the commercial courses originally offered, Nkumba University can now boast of diversity. Law is the latest addition to the scene but the last four years saw the addition of Education, Human Resource Management, Community Based Development, Development Studies and Information Technology.

Youth from Nkumba community who participated in peer counselling course at Nkumba University.

With the evergreen Professor Senteza Kajubi at its reigns, Nkumba University has attracted weighty figures in education. They are Professor Eric Edroma, Professor Msango Gwantamu, the Rev. Canon Ssentongo, Mr. Eric Kigozi formerly chairman of Inter-University Council and Mr Samuel Busulwa Formerly Headmaster of Kings College Buddo, — upholders of standards. I will not enumerate the array of younger upcoming doctors. The staff is dedicated and efficient, a workforce committed excellency.

It is in the spirit of ‘I owe you’ that the University awards honorary Doctoral Degrees — “the highest award the university can offer to individuals who do serve as role models of knowledge, skills and values which the University cherishes and is striving to nurture in its graduands”. When on the third graduation in April 2000 the University, honoured Rev. Can. Gideon Byamugisha, she opened up an international recognition for his distinguished fight against HIV/AIDS. On the same graduation Moreine Wanyama Kuleeba was recognized for her ‘charismatic and visionary’ leadership against HIV/AIDS. It should be remembered that Mrs Kaleeba is the founder of TASO. The third recipient was none other than the distinguished scholar Professor Ali Mazurui. Earlier on in 1999 on the second graduation the University gave out five Doctoral Degrees to the following Salongo Eria Kintu Post humously was one of the founders of Nkumba University, Mrs. Margaret Francis Joy Macherson formerly of Makerere University Literature Department, Kikonyogo Charles Nyonyintono then Governor of Bank of Uganda, Mulwana James, a distinguished manufacturer and businessman and Bikangaga John for his distinguished service in Public Administration.
The recent recipients were Bishop Adrian Kiwanuka Ddungu and Arnest Kiwanuka Kintu Sempa, a distinguished teacher and educationalist.

Nkumba University worked together with the community around to make an institutional policy on HIV/AIDS; in this being the first University to do so in East, West and North Africa. Already HIV/AIDS is taught as a subject. The students’ guild had earlier on started a project an on-going project to fight the scourge. Peer counselors from the University go out to secondary, primary schools and the community around to train the youth in fighting against HIV/AIDS. Topics include Reproductive Health, Sex Abuse, Drug Abuse as well as hygiene. It is not strange to see Nkumba University students armed with brooms cleaning the nearby town of Abaita Ababiri or others visiting homes of the ailing and the elderly to help do chores. The undergraduates know that the University is not an ivory tower but a means to serve mankind in the best way possible.

It is considered a privilege to be of service and be able to give. In areas where there is civil strife, students make collections of clothes and other necessities are made and sent on regular basis every quarter.
Nkumba University students are not trained to fold hands and wait for what the society has to offer.

They know they owe their service to mankind. Nkumba University is optimistic about strategies against the AIDS scourge and their victory song is w.w.w:hiv/aids.

We will win the war of AIDS.

I owe you.
by E.D.N. Nsereko

At Entebbe, parents, Ms E.N. Nsereko - Cordinator, Nkumba University, with some peer counsellors.