Bugisu cultural leader roots for strong ties with UK university

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The Bugisu cultural institution has promised to strengthen its relationship with the UK-based University of the West England for future collaborations in skills training, joint research, capacity building and cultural exchange programmes.

The commitment was made by Umukuuka of Bugisu, Jude Mike Mudoma, during a reception hosted in honour of the University of West England team that paid him a courtesy call at Mbale Resort Hotel on Saturday evening.

During the dinner, the Umukuuka welcomed his guests to Uganda and emphasised the need to create strong partnerships that are mutually beneficial to both Uganda and the UK. The team from the University of the West England included Mian Ng, the lead for global partnerships and Jo Midgely, the deputy Vice-Chancellor. Earlier on Friday, the same university had signed partnership agreement with Makerere University.

Umukuuka Jude Modoma gifting Jo Midgely, the deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West England a pack of Elgon coffee. (Photo by Sam Wakhakha)

While welcoming the two guests, the Umukuuka said the challenges that Africa faces no longer require aid, but partnerships.

“The world has changed. We are tired of you giving us aid; we need partnerships. We thank God that we have cemented our relationship by hosting the deputy vice-chancellor; we are building a strong collaboration,” he stated.

The Umukuuka said since the signing of the memorandum of understanding between his institution and the university, its students have visited Bugisu twice and partnered with grassroots initiatives such as New Dawn International Uganda on education and health initiatives and Mbale Creatives, a youth-led organisation in Mbale City, which recycles waste into useful items.

“Mian brought students from the university, and they spent two weeks in this place in July last year. However, earlier on, she had come with another team to see whether this cultural institution exists. Indeed, they found a strong institution with a solid foundation. Your visit has solidified the relationship, and we shall continue having these conversations,” the Umukuuka said.

The initial partnership memorandum of understanding was signed in November 2023 when the Umukuuka visited the University of the West England in the UK at the invitation of the New Dawn International, a charity in the UK that operates in the Bugisu region.

The partnership, which was initiated by New Dawn International, has since been followed by various projects including, the Hidden people project in Manafwa district in which students from the university have been taking part.  They also participated in early learning projects and reproductive health sensitisation in New Dawn School in Manafwa.

Umukuuka Jude Modoma and his wife Annet Mudoma with their visitors, Mian Ng, the lead for global partnerships and Jo Midgely, the deputy Vice-Chancellor, from University of the West England. (Photo by Sam Wakhakha)

Also present at the dinner were members of Umukuuka’s cabinet and a team of medics from Kenya who had carried out charity medical work at New Dawn International hidden people’s home in Manafwa district earlier in the day. The hidden people’s home is one of the university projects in Bugisu. It aims to support individuals with disabilities who are often hidden away in their homes.

The six-member team from Kenya was led by Peter Mucheru, a speech therapist. The team of Kenyan medics from Uplifted Consultancy and Tower Valley School examined the children with various ailments at the Hidden People’s home.

Speaking on behalf of the team from Kenya, Mucheru said they were impressed by the Umukuuka’s hospitality and the work at New Dawn International Hidden People’s home in Manafwa.

“It is beautiful to be in Uganda. We appreciate your effort in education and health. About rehabilitative health, today we saw that there is a huge gap, not only in Uganda but also in Kenya,” he said.

Earlier in the day, the team from the University of the West England visited the premises of Mbale Creatives, where they inspected some of the products, such as crafts, table mats, shoes, clothes and bottles that the youth make from recycled waste.

Pupils of New Dawn Primary School with Jo Midgely, the deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West England (left) and Karamoja state minister Barbara Nambozo (In Kitenge). (Photo by Sam Wakhakha)

The youth, led by Japhet Situma, Phiona Nadunga and Winnie Natsite, said they make many products, but need an extractor to enable them get threads out of banana fibres to make textiles.

“We need an extractor machine to get the thread out of banana fibres. If we get it, we will be able to make many other products,” Nadunga said.

University of the West England Deputy Vice-Chancellor promised to help Mbale Creatives achieve their dreams.

Karamoja state minister Barbara Nambozo hailed New Dawn International and the University of the West England for the initiatives.

“We have land in Sironko to expand such products. Please come, we shall welcome you,” she said.