Vice-Chancellor’s Speech at the 7th BSU Week Opening

Vice-Chancellor’s speech at the 7^thBishop Stuart University Week official opening and Confirmation on Sunday 31^st July 2022.

The University Chancellor, Rt. Rev. Dr. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, The Chief Missioner, Bishop Emeritus Geoffrey Rwobusisi, Chairperson Council, BSU Management and Staff, Guild President, Student Leaders and entire student body,

All invited Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen!

1. Welcome Remarks

On behalf of Bishop Stuart University (BSU) and on my own behalf, we greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Praise God!

You are most welcome to BSU and in particular to the Chapel of the Good Shepherd to officially open the 7^th BSU Mission and Exhibition week. On a special note, we welcome our Chief Missioner Bishop Emeritus Geoffrey Rwobusisi and our beloved Bishop and Chancellor, Rt. Rev. Dr. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa. We are greatly honored to host you. Thank you for allowing to be used by the Almighty God to bless many souls.

The theme for this 7^th BSU Mission and Exhibition week is “….Separate yourselves from the people around you and from your foreign wives.…” Ezra 10:11(NIV). BSU is also celebrating 20 years of existence since 2002; guided by the scripture in “Ezra3:8….The Levites who were 20 years old or older were put in charge of rebuilding the Lord’s Temple.” A youth at 20 years is mature enough to be a supervisor. BSU students and Alumni since 2002 to date you are a worthy and strong workforce of great supervisors, leaders, Levites, Priests, etc with integrity transforming society in Uganda and globally. Thus the theme of BSU@20 “Celebrating 20 years of Generational Transformation of the Community through Holistic Education”.

2. The background of Bishop Stuart University Week

My Lord Bishop, BSU Week started way back on 25^th October 2014 when the University received its fully signed Charter by H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, The President of the Republic of Uganda. That day marked the beginning of BSU week which is celebrated annually in commemoration of this great milestone in the history of Bishop Stuart University. The Week is marked by Missions and exhibitions and many other activities. More so, in Joshua’s Generation (Joshua 1:1-9) since May 2014, the Priests were key in possessing the Promised Land; Meaning that it is By God’s Grace that we shall sing Victory and Hallelujah; Amen! We have since held successful themed BSU weeks (Annex1).

The last 6^th BSU week was held from 8^th to 15^th March 2020, thereafter, it was followed by COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, and so we did not celebrate BSU week in 2021 since the institutions opened on 1^st November 2021. We thank God for keeping us safe. We condole with those who lost their dear ones due to COVID-19 and we thank God for sparing us.

In this 7^th BSU Mission and Exhibition Week, we have invited different speakers for plenary sessions and workshops throughout this week and they include among others; the Chief Missioner, Bishop Emeritus Goeffrey Rwobusisi, Rev. Can. John Mulindabigwi, Rev. Jasper Tumuhimbise and Mrs. Peninah Byarugaba. We believe that many souls will be won for Christ.

BSU weeks are always characterised by different activities and in particular, this 7^th BSU week apart from the mission that will go on every day, (Annex1);

a) BSU Week@20 with parents by Rev. Can. John Mulindabigwi on Monday 1^st August 2022. Board of Trustees and Children of the Clergy (BCOGs) session by Chancellor Rt. Rev. Dr. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa and Bishop Emeritus Goeffrey Rwobusisi on Monday 1^st August 2022.

b) Academic Dissemination, community service and pro bono services on Tuesday 2^nd August 2022.

c) Staff workshops by Prof. Joy Kwesiga and Rev. Jasper Tumuhimbise on Wednesday 3^rd August 2022.

d) Public Lecture in honor of Late Prof. Enoka Rukare (1^st BSU Vice-Chancellor) by Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu as the Guest speaker and prof. Elly Sabiiti as Discussant, signing of recognition register by distinguished individuals who were nominated, scrutinised and approved by Council on 4^th August 2022. BSU Council and BOT are naming the 3^rd floor of BSU Library as Professor Enoka Rukare Research Carrels for his great contribution to starting a University from scratch (Omutara) at 10 am.

e) Opening exhibition by Hon. Min. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, Minister of Science Technology and Innovations (MOSTI) under the President’s office on Thursday 4^th August 2022. She has confirmed her presence at 2 Pm. Best exhibitors will be awarded and represent BSU at the NCHE and Jinja show grounds.

f) Community hour fellowship by Bishop Emeritus Goefrey Rwobusisi and students’ workshop by Mrs. Peninah Byarugaba on Friday 5^th August 2022.

g) Alumni Day and Door to Door/Hostels Ministry on Saturday 6^th August 2022.

h) Last plenary session by Bishop Emeritus Goefrey Rwobusisi and Sunday service on 7^th August 2022.

I) On the 7^th August 2022, Vice Chancellor’s Tournament, inter-Departmental games at BSU Play Ground, the winners will receive a bull.

We call upon the entire BSU Staff, students and the entire community to come and witness these functions.

3. Some Key BSU@20 Achievements;

BSU was founded by Ankole Diocese in 2002 as a non-profit private higher education institution. It started in 2003 on the premises of the former National Teachers’ College-Kakoba (NTC-Kakoba), BSU started as an affiliate of Uganda Christian University (UCU) based in Mukono. It received a provisional License from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) to operate as a private University on 23^rd June 2006 and had its first graduation the same year under Uganda Christian University. The first BSU-organised graduation under the Provisional license was held in 2010. On the 25^th of October 2014, the University received a Charter from the Government of the Republic of Uganda; granted and signed by the President; His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tubuhaburwa. For the last 20 years, BSU has grown from strength to strength and we are grateful to God for the far He has brought us.
Disciplined Guild leadership of H.E. Emmanuel Behangana.

Nursing and Health Science faculty own Home in Ruharo
Graduation Numbers from 2006 to 2022 is 18,764, the last graduation alone was 1773 with 2 PhDs graduating. BSU we are now very strong.
Faculty of Law. We now have Advocates and one of the best in the Country.
Collaboration with Trinity Western University- Canada for studying online for a Master of Arts in Leadership and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Facilitated Academic Resource (FAR) Centre was established
Several MOUs, RUFORUM over 14 staff doing their PhDs and Masters (9 PhDs & 5 Masters)
Agro-studies, Expedia, AIH, Innovations at work,
Art Gallery, Medicinal gardens and oil extraction unit in Ethnobiology Laboratory.
In sports, we have many trophies from our students
Our alumni are employed in all sectors and leaders/ managers and HODs of units, Districts, Local government, MOES, Politics – Lord Mayor Hon. Kakyebezi is our student-Alumni, etc.
Three chaplaincies under BSU Chapel of the Good Shepherd (CGS), St. John’s Catholic Community, and Moslem Community. We thank God for the harmonious existence.

4. Pending work

(i) Completion of the Library; (ii) Chapel Construction; (iii) Tarmacking BSU Road network; (iv) Government Science Research & Laboratory; (v) Online teaching enhancement (Online Campus creation in the process); (vi) Art Shade and Technology (vii) BSU Students Hostels -Need sponsors and genuine Investors to partner with BSU.

5. Upcoming International Ecumenical Conference organized by BSU.

6. Appreciation

a) We thank GOD as Psalms 103, enumerates various reasons as to why we should be grateful to GOD. “……. Bless the LORD oh my soul and forget not all his benefits…….” As BSU and the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, we testify to this. Indeed, God has been and is still gracious to us. We are very grateful for the far He has brought us”. Ebenezer!

b) My Lord Bishop, we thank you for gracing this occasion. Sparing your precious time to come and confirm these confirmants and minister to us, is a gesture of how much you love Bishop Stuart Community.

c) On behalf of the University, I take this opportunity to introduce and appreciate our Chaplains, Rev. Emmy Mwesigye, Rev. Judith Ahumuza and Rev. Charles Mukundane who is the Mission Coordinator. They are doing a very commendable work in taking care of our Spiritual Welfare, amidst Covid-19 challenges and behavioral changes in youths. Mr. Kakuba Dennis, Head of Laity for running chapel activities in liaison with the Chaplains. We acknowledge your zeal to have Chapel of the Good Shepherd perform its duties to the fullest. As the administration of BSU, we pledge our continued support.

d) We appreciate the Board of Trustees, Members of the University Council, Administrative staff, Academic Staff, support staff, Guild council and the entire student body. Thank you for the good work well done. The success of BSU Week entirely depends on you.

e) We appreciate founders, Councils, Former and current staff, Alumni, Community, and service providers in various categories.

f) Government, MOES, President of the Republic of Uganda

g) BSU Week organising committee chaired by University Secretary assisted by Public Relations office and Academic Registrar’s office.

7. Concluding Remarks.

Once again, I thank you my Lord Bishop for allowing us to honour our invitation to grace our mission week. To the entire BSU Staff and BSU community, thank you for coming. I call upon you to continue coming.

Annex 1: Successfully Held and themed BSU weeks from 2014 to 2020

PERIOD	THEME	CHIEF MISSIONERS & GUEST OF HONOURS
1^st BSU Week 15^th– 22^ndMarch 2015	“….Live as children of light” Eph 5:8	Bishop Luke Orombi
19^th Feb 2015	Public Lecture	Dr. Alice Mwesigwa and Dr. George Muganga
20^th Feb 2015	Opening of Library ground floor	Late Prof. Tumusiime Mutebile BOU Governor
2^nd BSU Week 28^th Feb – 6^th March 2016	“ A man after God’s Heart” Acts 13:22	The Most Rt. Rev. Dr. Benjamin Kwashi
29^th Feb 2016	Cancer walk from Booma through Mbarara town to BSU	Hon. Min. Elioda Tumwesigye Min of Energy then represented by Dr. Jackson Orem Director, Cancer Institute-Mulago
1^st March 2016	Opening Exhibition	Prof. John Opuda Asibo former ED-NCHE
2^nd March 2016	Public Lecture	Rt. Rev. Dr. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa
4^th March 2016	Alumni Dinner	Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin Kwashi
3^rd BSU Week 19^th – 26 Feb 2017	“….Set apart as holy, useful to the master 2Tim 2:21b	Bishop Nathan . K. Gasatura
22^nd Feb 2017	Opening of exhibition and launch of nursing school construction (Now Faculty NHS completed)	Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda (former Prime Minister) rep. by Eng. john Byabagambi (former State Minister Karamoja)
23^rd Feb 2017	Laying the foundation stone for the Faculty of law and Public lecture	Hon. Chief Justice Bart Katureebe Hon. Justice Gaswaga
25^th Feb 2017	Alumni Dinner	Bishop Emeritus Nathan Kansiime Gasatura
4^th BSU Mission 18-25 Feb 2018	”…………… I will rebuild its walls and restore its former glory…” Amos 9:11	Bishop Goeffrey Rwobusisi
20^th Feb 2018	Research Dissemination	Prof. Celestine Obua-VC Mbarara University of Science & Technology
21^st Feb 2018	Mobile Health Camp	Hon. Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo
22^nd Feb 2018	VC tournament & Evangelism	Rt. Rev. Dr. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa
5^th BSU Week 24th Feb – 2^nd March 2019	“………………… let the Lord go with us” Exodus 34:9	Bishop Stanley Ntagali
25th Feb 2019	Matching through Mbarara town, stakeholders/parents meeting and children of clergy session	Bishop Stanley Ntagali
26^th Feb 2019	Mobile health clinic in Ruti, Staff workshop, the opening of the Ethnobiology lab	Hon. Michael Tusiime Bishop Stanley Ntagali
27^th Feb 2019	Commissioning ISSB Block and opening exhibition	Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni represented by Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda
28^th Feb 2019	Research Dissemination	Prof. George William Bazirake Byarugaba (Prof. of food- Kyambogo University
29^th Feb 2019	Cultural gala and launch of new academic program	Hon. Peace Mutuuzo (State Minister Gender and Culture)
6^th BSU Week 8^th – 15^th March 2020	“………the Lord searches every heart………” 1Chronicles 28:9	Bishop Emeritus Alfred Acur Okodi
10^th March 2020	Open debate	Mr. Fagil Monday
11^th March 2020	Health camp at Municipal Council	Hon. Dr. medard Bitekyerezo
12^th March 2020	Dissemination workshop Opening exhibitions	Dr. David Dave Ayurvedic expert Prof. William Bazeyo
14^th March 2022	Children with disabilities run the launch of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ruharo Cultural gala at All Saints grounds	Hon. Robert Mwsigwa Rukaari Hon. Gen. Elly Tumwiine
15^th March 2022	VC Tournament	Hon. Mwiine Mpaka

Our God Reigns.

Prof. Maud Kamatenesi Mugisha (Ph.D.)

Vice Chancellor

Vice-Chancellor’s Speech at the 7th BSU Week Opening

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