UCU begin defence of Ultimate University Quiz title against MMU

_______________________
ULTIMATE UNIVERSITY QUIZ SEASON 4 

📍 Kampala

Season Four of Vision Group's The Ultimate University Quiz got under way on Saturday (October 3) with Soroti University outquizzing newcomers University of Kisubi in Game One to move on to the Round of 16. Tonight, Game Two will see reigning champions Uganda Christian University take on debutants Mountains of the Moon University with a Last-16 spot also up for the taking. 

The 7:30 pm game will be broadcast live on all Vision Group platforms: Bukedde TV 1, TV West, Wan Luo TV and the ViDE app.

Holders UCU defeated Ndejje University in last season's final and are now looking to become the first university to defend The Ultimate University Quiz title.

They have entered this Season Four with renewed confidence, a fresh team and a determination to write their names in the history books as back-to-back winners of the annual competition.

"Our steel is very sharp," UCU guild president Abraham Elomaboni said during their orientation at the university campus in Mukono district a little under three weeks ago.

Richard Chibaka (pictured below), a Congolese national who helped UCU win the title last year as a civil and environmental engineering student, now returns as the team's coach.

"The new team has been having several engagements with last year's crew to share notes and tactics. We have also been praying a lot," he said in the buildup.

At UCU, officials believe the competition can also help reinforce values-based education. 

"Our faith and values are close to the hearts of the young and old people alike," said communications officer Jimmy Siyasa (pictured below), who suggested that in future editions, a religious and ethics component is included in the competition.

Meanwhile, first-timers Mountains of the Moon University from Fort Portal City are eager to test their intellectual mettle in this edition of the quiz.

There is a general feeling within the camp that the quiz represents a new academic challenge and an opportunity to prove that being first-time participants does not necessarily mean being underdogs.

But they are going to have to do it the hard way: by battling the defending champions for a spot in the next round.

Roseline Ssali (pictured below), the dean of students, said she followed previous editions of the competition and was impressed by the level of intellectual engagement exhibited by participating universities. And this, according to her, was enough to convince Mountains of the Moon University to join the quiz.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pius Coxwell Achanga embraced the move, saying it fits into the institution's broader mission of producing graduates capable of addressing challenges in their communities.

"If you look at everything you do in changing students' lives outside of campus, whether it is in sports or the ability to engage interculturally, we will support that. The quiz challenge is a welcome initiative by the university and, as vice-chancellor, we join to win."

Achanga's confidence in their students lies in the fact that they have previously participated in several intellectual engagements at national level and emerged triumphant in some of them.

The quiz is also being seen as an opportunity for Mountains of the Moon to showcase the intellectual abilities of its students.

"This is a very good opportunity for us because it is going to enhance the academic growth of our students. It is also going to take the image of our university to another level when we win," said Prof. Edmond Kagambe, the deputy vice-chancellor in charge of finance and administration.

Meanwhile, guild president Patrick Kato Perepetwa (pictured below, 2nd left) said they will not be intimidated by the idea of having to face seasoned universities in the competition.

"We know that we are going to face giant universities across the country that have previously participated, but with our confidence and maturity both in academics and co-curricular activities, we are coming with one thing in mind: to win," said Perepetwa.

Fellow student Esther Nakigozi said being first-time participants would instead give them an opportunity to approach the competition with fresh energy.

'It's anyone's game'

Ahead of Sunday's game, Vision Group's quiz project lead Max Adii (pictured above) shared his thoughts:

"As first-timers in the Ultimate University Quiz, Mountains of the Moon University face a monumental task against reigning champions Uganda Christian University," he said.

"Mountains of the Moon University have vowed through their quiz club to take on the giants without fear and do whatever it takes. While Uganda Christian University field an entirely new lineup in Season 4, they will be banking on past championship experience to sail through.

"At this point, it's anyone's game."

 PROFILE: UGANDA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY 

Uganda Christian University is a private university administered by the Church of Uganda. It was the first private university to be awarded a charter in 2004.

UCU’s main campus is in Mukono and has a regional college in Kabale and study centers in Kampala, Mbale and Arua. UCU has attracted students from other African countries and expatriate staff from North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Below is the team representing UCU this year:

(Front row, from left): Dickson Tumuramye (Head of Honours College & UCU representative), Racheal Angelica Namutebi, Esther Mukama and quiz coach Richard Chubaka. (Back row, from left): Quiz co-coach Rostand Kaboyi, Jesse Miruka Etanu and Emmanuel Alinda.

 PROFILE: MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON UNIVERSITY 

Mountains of the Moon University was originally established as a non-profit Community University in 2005 and it was later granted a charter in 2018. MMU’s core academic undertakings (niche) are in the areas of Agriculture, Tourism, and Environmental Conservation. 

The university is located in Kasindikwa village, Lake Saaka, Fort-Portal Tourism City in Uganda's Kabarole district.

Below is the team representing MMU this year:

(From left): Jim Tumwebaze, Isma Akandwanaho, quiz coach Gilbert Akky Matsiko, Anthony Lukiko and Victor Tumusiime.

The Ultimate University Quiz, organized by Vision Group, is a high-quality academic competition that tests the knowledge of university students and encourages them to research and read beyond the classroom. This year's fourth season of this prestigious competition brings together 20 chartered universities from across Uganda.

There are prizes to be won, including cash and equipment for both the top-performing universities as a whole and their respective contestants.

This year's edition is sponsored by Bank of Uganda (platinum sponsor), Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Turkish Airlines, Capital Markets Authority Uganda, Hariss International (Krystal Water Uganda), Parliament and National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

WATCH PREVIEW 👇🏽



Bank of Uganda is offering internship placements for the four individual champions.

Turkish Airlines is offering three round-trip Economy Class tickets for the coaches of the top three universities, allowing them to travel to any destination within the airline's network.

It is also extending a 15% discount to students and academicians from the participating universities, together with up to two pieces of checked baggage allowance and one complimentary first-time change.

The games are being shot at Netstudios Africa in Kitintale, Kampala.