Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) is a faith-based private university owned by the Episcopal Conference of Catholic Bishops of Uganda. The University is licensed by the Uganda National Council for Higher Education.
In her 29 years of existence, Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) has developed into a reputable institution in the region and has over 30,000 Alumni impacting societies worldwide. UMU received a Charter from the Government of Uganda on 2nd April 2005.
The University was officially launched on 18th October 1993 by His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda.
In 2016, given her track record of excellence and making a difference in society, UMU, through a very competitive process was selected by the World Bank to host the African Centre of Excellence in Agro-ecology and Livelihood Systems. At the same time, UMU hosts a UN Centre of Expertise for Mainstreaming Education for Sustainable Development in Uganda among other high calibre assignments.
The concept of a Catholic University in Uganda dates as far back as the nineteen forties, when the late Archbishop Joseph Kiwanuka conceived the idea. Unfortunately, various circumstances impeded the foundation of a university at that time. This proposal was renewed during the nineteen eighties, and was endorsed by the Uganda Episcopal Conference in 1989.
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Uganda Martyrs University was chartered on 17th August 1993, and the first academic year opened on Monday 18th October 1993, the anniversary of the canonization of the Uganda Martyrs. The University opened with 84 students (28 female and 56 male) from all parts of Uganda.
On 18th October 1994, the University was officially opened in the presence of His Excellency President Yoweri K. Museveni, the Uganda Catholic Bishops, the Minister of Education, and a host of friends and well-wishers.
The Vision and Mission
The vision of Uganda Martyrs University is derived from the Christian understanding of the person. Since the person is at the centre of all growth and development, both at individual and societal levels, all members of the community respect each other in an attempt to create an environment of openness and trust.
The University is committed to promoting justice, respect, solidarity, human rights, equality and environmental protection, both in its own community and in society in general.
The University community is committed to realising the aims and objectives of the University through democratic processes.
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The curricula of the University, which are continually revised to the benefit of the changing needs of society, aim at developing professional people who will combine career competence with a strong sense of moral responsibility and the social values demanded by the challenges of the world today.
The University stresses the right to academic freedom in its teaching, research and learning processes, while at the same time respecting the cultural heritage of African traditions and values.
The University is committed to serving the community through outreach and community-oriented programmes and initiatives, especially in relation to the marginalized, poor and vulnerable.
The wish to implement practical sustainable development in our local rural setting means that the University is committed to respectful and sound environmental management. We recognise ourselves to be part of the whole biotic community and wish to live in harmony with our environment.
The Universityis committed to providing quality education, while at the same time promoting and living by the non-negotiable values of service and respect.
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Objectives of UMU
- To provide high quality education which will prepare students for their future fields of occupation and service.
- To cultivate and promote its chosen disciplines and specializations within the context of the knowledge of Christian principles by continually revising its academic and outreach programmes.
- To encourage the development of individuals of democratic character, virtue, intellect, creativity, self-criticism, wisdom, skill, integrity, acumen, leadership, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance. Our graduates will be encouraged to foster the social, economic, spiritual, and moral development both of the individual and of society.
- To facilitate the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge and research for the betterment of life in Uganda in particular, and for all humankind in general, in a way which will contribute to the promotion of our cultural heritage and environment.
- To promote service outreach to the community, especially the vulnerable, poor and marginalised.
- To create an academic community characterized by the non-negotiable values of service, solidarity, justice and respect for the other.
Organisation structure
UMU comprises of:
- The Central Administration
- The University Council
- The Advisory Board
- The University executive
- The Academic Structure
- The Heads of Faculties, Institutes, Centres and Departments
Faculties and Institutes
UMU consists of seven Faculties, two Institute, six Campuses, nine Departments, and three schools.
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Built Environment
- Institute of Ethics and Development Studies
The vision of the Faculty of Science is derived from the recognition that real national development of the country and the entire mankind starts from serious study and understanding of science. The Faculty is, therefore, committed to training competent, high-level manpower in science subjects that will form a backbone for the stock of scientists in and outside Uganda to the highest levels within the reach of the University, while also enhancing and updating skills of staff by encouraging it to attain higher qualifications either through conventional studies and/or research and to publish results in local and or international publications.
The Faculty encourages inter-disciplinary teaching across other faculties and visiting lectureship between universities (with which Uganda Martyrs University has established such cordial relationships), as well as amicable relationship between staff and its students so as to foster confidence among the students: which confidence will be of potential application when they leave the University and go out in the world to be on their own.
The Faculty of Agriculture was initiated in 2000 to meet the current qualitative and quantitative demand for professional agriculturists with hands-on skills, and who are able to sustainably address the need for modernization of agriculture and alleviation of poverty among the farming communities in Uganda.
The Faculty comprises of fourteen full time staff with reputable training experience in public health areas of; Health promotion and Education, Community Health Insurance, Quality and safety and Health Services Management. Analysis and discussion by participants, of their experiences are some of the most useful and enriching teaching and learning methods used throughout the course.
It attempts to achieve this objective through a combination of traditional face-to-face and distance-learning approaches utilizing well designed modules. The Faculty recognizes further that the major challenge to be faced in this millennium is to provide education without distance barriers, everywhere, and for everyone. The mission of the Faculty is to be relevant to current and future needs of developing countries and to educate outstanding men and women with design creativity and technical competence. These are supported by Workshops, Field Experience and Field Trips.
What distinguishes the faculty of Built Envionment with other faculties that are similar in nature in other universities is the fact that the faculty offers programs that in line with international professional standards with an integrated curriculum that encourages a holistic approach to designed environments. This consultancy provides professional support to students under- going training in the various programmes offered in the faculty. The main thrust of the faculty to a large extent, revolves around the provision of an academic curriculum which attempts to blend managerial theory and practice.
The Institute of Ethics and Development Studies was set up to train professionals who will have a role to play in the development of the country. The Institute offers unique qualifications at Diploma, B.A. and M.A. levels. The courses offered examine a wide range of issues including; sustainable development, democracy, ethics, economic and political relations, poverty, law, human rights, gender relations, rural development, good governance and so on. Students enrolled at the Institute for academic programmes will receive education of first-class quality.
The degree courses presently on offer will expose students to an in-depth examination of issues that are considered extremely relevant to the needs of Uganda and Africa today. Graduates of the Institute should have mastered and internalised certain ethical values, which will add an extra dimension to the skills they will bring to professional positions. These courses include the basic elements needed for an understanding of the ethics of the profession for which they are preparing themselves.
Campuses
UMU has several campuses:
- Masaka Campus: In Masaka City, about 119 kilometres (74 mi) by road south-west of Kampala.
- Lubaga Campus: At Lubaga, in Lubaga Division, within the city limits of Kampala on 3 acres (1.2 ha) of land.
- Nsambya Campus: On the grounds of St. Francis Hospital Nsambya, on Nsambya Hill in Makindye Division in southern Kampala.
As of March 2022, total student enrollment is 4,632. Of these, about 1,500 students were residential, while nearly 3,000 students were enrolled in UMU's distance learning programs.
At the university's 24th graduation ceremony on 8 November 2018, 2040 candidates graduated with certificates, diploma, bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. The vice chancellor informed those present that 17 new courses had been introduced, including the Bachelor of Journalism and Bachelor of Inclusive Education, to bring the total number of courses on offer to 136.
Uganda Martyrs University Campus
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