By Mathias Mazinga
The Rev Br. Deogratias Mugema has an aura of humility, simplicity and friendliness. The member of the Catholic Religious Institute of the Brothers of Christian Instruction wears a consistent smile, which helps him befriend whoever he comes in contact with.
Regardless of the easy-going impression you may get when you meet him for the fi rst time, Mugema has taught and headed departments in secondary schools, such as St Charles Lwanga SS, Kasasa and Caltec Academy Makerere. He has also run schools like Uganda Martyrs High School Rubaga.
Mugema also has expertise in business education, a discipline in which he has a doctorate.
On January 3, Mugema was installed as the vice-chancellor of the University of Kisubi (UniK). He was installed during a colourful function at the university in Wakiso district. The function was presided over by the university’s chancellor, the Rev. Br. Casio Aizire.
Mugema is the university’s vice-chancellor after Prof. John Ssebuwufu, who has retired.
WHO IS MUGEMA?
Br Mugema was born on June 28, 1962 in Bikira Hospital, Kyotera district to Aloysious Lukwago (RIP) and Terezia Kakyubya as the second of 12 children. He attended Bethlehem Primary School, where he recalls being the only pupil to pass in Division One (first grade); Kakoma Secondary School for O’level, and St Bernard’s College, Kiswera, for A’level.
“As I grew up, I developed an interest in the teaching profession as teachers were greatly respected and loved. The teachers also respected themselves. They dressed smartly. They also demonstrated a deep sense of dignity. They were generally happy people who also behaved in an exemplary way. I said to myself I would become a teacher when I grow up.”
In addition to dreaming of becoming a teacher, he desired to become a Catholic Religious Brother. “I used to see the Catholic Brothers of St Charles Lwanga, locally known as the Bannakarooli Brothers. They worked in Catholic schools and parishes. One of them, Bro. Novatus Kaggwa, was my uncle. I greatly admired the white cassock that the Brothers wore.”
In secondary school, he was drawn to the Brothers of Christian Instruction, who taught at St Henry’s College Kitovu.
“I was hooked when I learnt that they specialised in education, a vocation I had desired since childhood.”
In 1983, he applied to join them. He wrote to Bro. Alphonse Zayira (now deceased) who was then the Vocations Director of the congregation.
“I sent the letter through Fr. Kigonya (now deceased), the parish-priest of Bethlehem.”
The Brothers accepted his application and was admitted to the brothers’ Formation House at Kisubi, in Wakiso.
“I started the formation, which took three years. I became a Religious Brother of Christian Instruction after taking my first vows in January 1984. In January 1994, I made the Perpetual Vows.”
In 1987, he was posted to St. Charles Lwanga Kasasa SS to teach commerce. He was there for seven months. “I then left for further studies in the United States of America. Upon my return to Uganda in 1991, I taught business statistics and served as head of the business studies department at Caltec Academy, Makerere, for six years.”
From 1997 to 2000, he was the headteacher at Uganda Martyrs High School, Rubaga after which he was posted to Uganda Martyrs University from 2000 to 2009 as the institution’s fi nance offi cer (bursar).
“In 2009, I moved to then served as the fi nance offi cer at the Uganda Martyrs of Kisubi Brothers University College.”
In 2011 to 2013, he served as the principal of Kisubi Brothers University College and left for doctoral studies in 2014.
EDUCATION BACKGROUND
- 1989: Graduated with a BA in Finance (Summa Cum Laude) from Walsh University, Ohio (USA)
- 1991: Graduated from the University of Akron (USA) with a Master of Business Administration (Finance)
- 2001: Graduated with a diploma in Secondary Education Teaching.
- 2020: Graduated with a Doctor of Business Administration from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.
ABOUT UNIK
The University of Kisubi (UniK) is connected to the Catholic Brothers of Christian Instruction (locally referred to as the Brothers of Kisubi), who specialise in Christian education and instruction of young people. After their advent in Uganda, in 1926 (on the invitation of the White Fathers), the Brothers established primary and secondary schools, such as St. Mary’s College Kisubi, St. Charles Lwanga SS Kasasa, St. Henry’s College Kitovu, St. Edward’s SS Bukuumi, Mugwanya Preparatory School Kabojja and St. Savio Junior School, Kisubi, among others. After decades of their active involvement in primary and secondary education in Uganda, the Brothers of Christian Instruction ventured into university education. They established a university at Kisubi, where their headquarters are located. The Brothers started the university project in 2004. It began as a centre of Uganda Martyrs University with Bro. Francis Blouin as its first principal. After getting a licence in 2015, it became a fully-fledged university — the University of Kisubi (Unik).
WHAT OTHERS SAY
Dr Jude Ssebuwufu, a lecturer at Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi, says when Mugema worked as the bursar, he exhibited great expertise in matters of finance. He says the university’s financial standing was at its best and that the institution did not have debts.
“Mugema has marvelous inter-personal skills and interacts freely with others. He is also a guru of business education.”
John Muwanga, an alumnus of Uganda Martyrs High School, Rubaga, says Mugema is “simple but firm in his administrative approaches. As far as I can remember, he was appointed to Uganda Martyrs High School Rubaga when it was limping. However, he managed to revive the school and restored it to its former glory.”
“Mugema is well-exposed. He has been to the US, Japan, Kenya and many other countries, I am sure he will deliver.”
