UCU guild boss to fight fees policy
Apr 28, 2009
FROM a beggar to president. This is the easiest way to describe Martin Aliga, Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) new guild president. Born 31 years ago to Joyce and Ezrom Aliga in Lugazi, this lad had it all until the age of 15, when he lost his father
By Ruth Kutamba
and Michael Odeng
FROM a beggar to president. This is the easiest way to describe Martin Aliga, Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) new guild president. Born 31 years ago to Joyce and Ezrom Aliga in Lugazi, this lad had it all until the age of 15, when he lost his father.
Since his mother was just a peasant, he had to depend on friends for school fees and occasionally beg from relatives. He is the eldest in a family of eight, a factor that added more weight to his shoulders.
“It was hard to stay away from my family,†he says. All the children went separate ways. Aliga ended up in church.
That is the reason he will forever be grateful to St Augustine Church Lira, the guardian that took him on as a son.
While at St Augustine as a choir member, Aliga met Rev. Can. Dr Johnson Ebong who became his foster father.
Aliga attended Paidha Demonstration School, Lango college for O’ Level and Canon Lawrence Primary Teachers College. He did a teaching course from 1999-2005 at Ojwina Primary School before joining Kyambogo University for a diploma in special needs.
His studies at the college and his travel to the UK where he worked in a Christian Drug and Alcohol rehabilitation centre for two years were catered for by Dr Ebong. He describes himself as a person with low self-esteem but his passion for leadership enabled him overcome this weakness.
He garnered 1486 votes during the guild elections, to beat his top rival, Paul Turyagumanawe, who had 1176 votes. Aliga pledges to explore all possibilities to have the unpopular fees policy at UCU reversed. At the moment students are expected to complete fees within the first two weeks of a semester.
“There is a growing rift between the administration and the students and I want to advocate for the revision of the tuition fees policy,†Aliga vows.
A student of development studies, Aliga hopes to instill values of integrity in the administration.
“My government willwork along the principles of integrity, transparency and servant leadership,†he added.
“I chose to run in the guild race because great men always go for great things and it is God who knows each step someone takes,†he adds.
Aliga intends to launch an award to recognise students and staff who go an extra mile in serving the university.
and Michael Odeng
FROM a beggar to president. This is the easiest way to describe Martin Aliga, Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) new guild president. Born 31 years ago to Joyce and Ezrom Aliga in Lugazi, this lad had it all until the age of 15, when he lost his father.
Since his mother was just a peasant, he had to depend on friends for school fees and occasionally beg from relatives. He is the eldest in a family of eight, a factor that added more weight to his shoulders.
“It was hard to stay away from my family,†he says. All the children went separate ways. Aliga ended up in church.
That is the reason he will forever be grateful to St Augustine Church Lira, the guardian that took him on as a son.
While at St Augustine as a choir member, Aliga met Rev. Can. Dr Johnson Ebong who became his foster father.
Aliga attended Paidha Demonstration School, Lango college for O’ Level and Canon Lawrence Primary Teachers College. He did a teaching course from 1999-2005 at Ojwina Primary School before joining Kyambogo University for a diploma in special needs.
His studies at the college and his travel to the UK where he worked in a Christian Drug and Alcohol rehabilitation centre for two years were catered for by Dr Ebong. He describes himself as a person with low self-esteem but his passion for leadership enabled him overcome this weakness.
He garnered 1486 votes during the guild elections, to beat his top rival, Paul Turyagumanawe, who had 1176 votes. Aliga pledges to explore all possibilities to have the unpopular fees policy at UCU reversed. At the moment students are expected to complete fees within the first two weeks of a semester.
“There is a growing rift between the administration and the students and I want to advocate for the revision of the tuition fees policy,†Aliga vows.
A student of development studies, Aliga hopes to instill values of integrity in the administration.
“My government willwork along the principles of integrity, transparency and servant leadership,†he added.
“I chose to run in the guild race because great men always go for great things and it is God who knows each step someone takes,†he adds.
Aliga intends to launch an award to recognise students and staff who go an extra mile in serving the university.