As the first Brother Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kisubi (UniK), it is an honour to present my reflections in a dialogue with the Centenary Magazine Editor on the Brothers’ Centenary Celebration. The establishment of the University of Kisubi is the culmination of the Brothers’ education ministry in Uganda, starting from nursery to university level. It is therefore appropriate to present UniK’s perspective on this momentous occasion.
Question: UniK is closely associated with the Brothers of Christian Instruction. Could you briefly take us through the University’s origins and explain why it was established?
The Vice-Chancellor: The University of Kisubi (UniK) is the culmination of the long-standing educational mission of the Brothers of Christian Instruction in Uganda. The Brothers have been involved in education in Uganda since 1926, from nursery to high school and now university level. As part of their educational mission in this Country, they have participated in the Catholic Church’s mission to provide quality education. Their efforts, no doubt, have contributed significantly to the development of schools and other educational institutions across the Country.
The idea of establishing a university arose from the Brothers’ recognition that their educational mission needed to extend to higher education. They wanted to provide university-level education that combines academic knowledge imbued with Christian values and service to humanity. In 2004, the Brothers entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Uganda Martyrs University to establish the Kisubi Brothers Centre of Uganda Martyrs University.
In 2009, the Institution became Kisubi Brothers University College, a constituent of Uganda Martyrs University. In 2015, the National Council for Higher Education granted the Institution an interim license to operate as an independent institution, and the University of Kisubi was born. The Institution has since grown into a fully-fledged Chartered University, the highest accreditation for a private university in Uganda.
Question: The Brothers of Christian Instruction have a long history of promoting education in Uganda. How does the University of Kisubi build on and extend this legacy in higher education?
The Vice-Chancellor: UniK represents the continuation of the Brothers’ commitment to education, but at a higher level. For 100 years, the Brothers have contributed to the education and formation of the children and the youth in Uganda. Their legacy is not simply about establishing schools; it is about educating the whole person and preparing young people to contribute positively to society.
At Unik, we extend this philosophy through university education, professional training, research and community engagement. Our graduates not only possess academic and professional competences; they are graduates of integrity, responsibility and a commitment to the common good.
Our intention is therefore to build a university that reflects the best traditions of the Brothers of Christian Instruction while responding to contemporary national and global needs. We strive to produce employable, innovative, and ethical graduates who can use their knowledge to address Uganda’s development challenges. In that sense, UniK is a custodian, defender and promoter of the Mennaisian educational heritage of head, heart and hands, bequeathed to the Brothers by their founder, Venerable Jean-Marie Robert de La Mennais.
Question: As a Catholic-based university, what distinguishes the Unik from other institutions of higher learning, particularly in terms of its approach to academic excellence, character formation and ethical leadership?
The Vice-Chancellor: Being a Catholic-based university means we understand education as more than the transmission of knowledge. Ours is the pursuit of academic excellence grounded in a Catholic Ethos: respect for human dignity, professionalism, creativity, integrity, responsibility, service, and teamwork. Being Catholic-based means that UniK is open and offers its services to all people of goodwill.
Question: Uganda’s demand for university education continues to grow. How is the University of Kisubi contributing to the Government’s efforts to expand access to higher education and develop the Country’s human capital?
The Vice-Chancellor: Unik contributes to national development by expanding opportunities for Ugandans to access quality higher education. As a private chartered university, we complement the work of the Government and other higher education institutions by providing competent and relevant education for social transformation towards Uganda’s middle-income status. We therefore continue to strengthen programmes that equip students with practical knowledge, professional skills and values.
We also recognise that access to higher education is not always easy for several Ugandans. Thus, UniK, working with its partners, has scholarship programs that cater for the gifted but financially challenged students. For example, in this Centenary year of the Brothers of Christian Instruction’s arrival in Uganda, the University launched a Centenary Scholarship Scheme offering 100 fully and partially funded tuition scholarships to qualifying students.
Question: Beyond educating students, universities can have a significant impact on the communities where they operate. What has the presence of UniK meant to the people of Kisubi, Kawuku, Entebbe and surrounding areas?
The Vice-Chancellor: The presence of UniK has created an important educational and socio-economic institution within the wider Kisubi and Entebbe corridor. UniK brings together students, lecturers, researchers, administrators, and other professionals, creating opportunities for interaction with the surrounding community.
UniK has over 1800 students and employs over 150 workers, offering several opportunities to the surrounding areas, including but not limited to demand for goods and services and social interactions. Sometimes the University is the customer consuming goods and services from the community, and at other times the community is the customer consuming the University’s goods and services, for example, counselling services.
Question: The labour market and higher education environment are changing rapidly, particularly because of technology, artificial intelligence and digital learning. What are the major challenges facing the University of Kisubi, and how is the Institution responding to them?
The Vice-Chancellor: One of the biggest challenges facing universities today is the speed at which technology is changing the way people learn, work and communicate. Artificial intelligence, digital learning, e-mobility, climate change, and automation are transforming the way people live, work, entertain themselves, pray and relate. The University of Kisubi, therefore, is deeply involved in integrating Artificial Intelligence into its operations, computer science and information and communication technology, e-mobility research, and innovations.
Question: Looking ahead, what are Unik’s priorities for strengthening its academic programmes, research, innovation, partnerships and engagement with Government, industry, the Catholic Church and local communities?
The Vice-Chancellor: Our priority is to strengthen the quality and relevance of our academic programmes. We must continuously review our curricula so that they respond to the needs of the Country, the region and the changing labour markets. Our programmes are developed to produce graduates with both theoretical understanding and practical skills.
Research and innovation are equally important. A university cannot rely entirely on knowledge produced elsewhere. UniK is strengthening its research and innovation department. Going forward, we are prioritising the commercialisation of the University’s recent innovations in e-mobility, solar power generation and applications.
We are deepening partnerships with the Government, the industry, the Catholic Church, other universities and communities. No university can operate successfully in isolation. Through partnerships, we have created opportunities for internships, research, innovation, professional development, scholarships, and community programmes.
Question: If you were to define the University’s contribution to Uganda in one broad message, what would you want Ugandans to remember about the University of Kisubi and its future?
The Vice-Chancellor: I would want Ugandans to know UniK as an institution that offers an education to help its students and alums to think and feel what they do, feel and think about what they do, and do what they think and feel; a holistic education, which the founder of the Brothers of Christian Instruction, Venerable Jean-Marie Robert de la Mennais, espoused and the late Pope Francis promoted.
Question: Lastly, take us through some of the outstanding achievements.
The Vice-Chancellor: Oh! There are several achievements to talk about. To start with, in 2024, the UniK achieved its Charter from the President of the Republic of Uganda. A Charter is the highest level of accreditation for a private university in Uganda, and it is awarded by the President upon the recommendation of the National Council for Higher Education, confirming that the University has met the stringent requirements set out under the Universities and other degree-awarding institutions Act 2001, as amended. Being Chartered means that the degrees and other academic qualifications of the University rate pari passu with those of public universities and are globally recognised.
Additionally, the University of Kisubi was the Second Runner-Up in 2024 and 2025 at the National Council for Higher Education Annual Exhibitions. During these exhibitions, the University showcased its innovations in e-mobility, solar energy applications, and energy-saving cooking technology, among others. Indeed, two of these innovations, the Eco Bike and UniK SolGen Trike, a solar-powered three-wheeler, have already been recognised as novel and registered by the Uganda Service Registration Bureau.
The University of Kisubi is the first to offer programs in Child Protection and Safeguarding. This program ensures that the most vulnerable members of our community are protected.
The University has developed current academic programs to enable its graduates to leave the campus not only market-ready but also able to start their own businesses and employ others. Some of these. Among the programs offered by the University of Kisubi are: Teacher Education in science and arts, Biomedical Laboratory Technology, Nursing and Midwifery, Educational Leadership, Information Technology, Business Administration and Management, Clinical Psychology and Counselling, Social Work, Child Protection, Monitoring and Evaluation and Music and Dance Education
The University is involved in various collaborations in climate-related research with Kyambogo University; collaborates with the Uganda Virus Research Institute, Porticus Nairobi, and Research Network Uganda; and is a member of the Interuniversity Council of East Africa and the Uganda Vice-Chancellors Forum, among others.
In addition to the traditional physical lecture-room delivery methodology, the UniK has invested in a Tier 3 Server, enabling it to offer Open, Distance and e-Learning options to its students, who are now able to study from any location.
- What is Unik’s message to the public as it joins its founder (Brothers of Christian Instruction) in celebrating 100 years of service in Uganda?
Vice-Chancellor: The University of Kisubi is honoured to join the Brothers of Christian Instruction of the St Teresa Province in celebrating 100 years since the Brothers’ arrival in Uganda. UniK joins the Brothers to remember daring missionaries, the pioneer Brothers, Catholic Church leaders, Government leaders and all people of goodwill who have contributed immensely to the Brothers’ work in Uganda. We celebrate with the Brothers the abundant blessings from the Almighty God over the 100 years; indeed, God has been gracious to us! Finally, we believe that the Brothers’ educational pedagogy remains relevant today and tomorrow, and that our tomorrow will be better than today.
Br Dr Deogratias Mugema
The Vice Chancellor: