Political influence denies UCU effective use of its land - Ssenyonyi

Uganda Christian University (UCU) vice chancellor, Rev. Can. John Ssenyonyi has decried the failure to be liberated from the squatters on its land at Ntaawo ward in Mukono Municipality despite the many times government has repeatedly promised action.

Ssenyonyi said UCU is the rightful owner of over one square mile of land with the land title, but they have been crippled from creating an alternative revenue income stream out of it because of being forcibly kept out of it by the illegal squatters who use illegitimate political influence against them.

He said the university today finds itself leaning heavily on student fees, which is not so effective abecause of the financial hardships in the country.

"We are facing a crisis when Ugandan landlords are not only unequal with the squatters, but are actually underdogs to the squatters. This is an unfortunate state of affairs for the land ownership in Uganda. The law, not politics must protect rightful owners of property," said Ssenyonyi.

He was on Friday addressing the third part of the 17th graduation ceremony at the university's main campus at Mukono. The graduation sent off 1,589 graduates where 56% of them were female students and 44 of the graduands walked away with first class degrees.

The same land Ssenyonyi is talking about almost caused havoc to the Church of Uganda when Archbishop, Stanley Ntagali, thirty eight provincial bishops, and officials of UCU on August 23 narrowly escaped a mob of squatters.

The land is said to have been occupied by over 800 squatters some of whom are some top government officials.

Among the graduands, was Emmanuel Chandia who was awarded a Master of International Business Law. Chandia is disabled.

He said his main challenge is accessibility where by the building of current facilities in Uganda does not favour the disabled community.

However Chandia added that by the help of his colleagues, he has been able to accomplish. He also said the university later changed their lecture rooms to a more favourable and accessible place for him.

Ssenyonyi also noted the university's attraction of bad neighbours who entice students into illicit and destructive behaviours.

Emmanuel Chandia being helped by one of his colleagues. Photo by Henry Nsubuga

Archbishop Ntagali who is the university's chancellor asked the government to support private higher education by making it affordable.

"This will only be possible if government gives tax relief to private not-for-profit education at different levels," he said.

Ntagali urged the graduands to show good behaviour where they are going and to continue building the good reputation of the institution both at their places of work and in church.

"Let your employers see a Christian university in a government office or any other office. You must also shine by having good families," he said.

The function was also graced by Dr. Os Guinness, a renowned Christian author and social critic. Guinness tasked the graduands to always keep on the Godly line for them not to lose focus on whatever they will do.