CUEA to Introduce Degree in Small Christian Communities

The Chair of the Council of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) announced on Friday, October 23, that the university will introduce a degree programme in Small Christian Communities (SCCs). The programme follows a directive from the Catholic Bishops of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA).

Bishop Mark Kadima Wamukoya of Kenya’s Bungoma Diocese disclosed the directive during the university’s 45th graduation ceremony, held at its Nairobi main campus. “Small Christian Communities are a brainchild of the Bishops of AMECEA, and the bishops have directed the University to develop the degree programme,” he said.

According to the Council Chair, the programme will allow the Church to evaluate how SCCs have been implemented across the region and to raise that implementation to higher levels through research and other academic approaches. The source notes that SCCs have for decades served as the main platform for the Church’s pastoral work in Eastern Africa. Bishop Kadima described this ecclesial model and CUEA itself as the two factors that have long united the region’s Catholic Church (Psalm 133:1).

The Council Chair also said the university is consolidating resources to establish a College of Health Sciences, a long-term project aimed at transforming society, primarily through the health sector. In the short term, CUEA plans to build a modern lecture-hall block to support projects such as an Executive and Professional Business School.

The ceremony was the first presided over by the university’s new Chancellor, Archbishop Gervas John Mwasikwabhila Nyaisonga. He became Chancellor automatically after being elected Bishop Chair of AMECEA at the 21st AMECEA Plenary in July. He formally assumed office the day before the graduation, when Very Rev. Prof. Elias Omondi Opongo, SJ, was also installed as Rector and Vice Chancellor.

Bishop Kadima thanked the former Rector and Vice Chancellor, Very Rev. Prof. Stephen Mbugua Ngari, for a smooth handover. The handover was completed on 31 August 2026 after a month-long transition and marked the end of a two-year process of restructuring the university’s administration. The administration now has a fully constituted Executive Management team chaired by the Vice Chancellor, which includes the deputy vice chancellors, the executive directors for Gaba Campus, Finance and Planning, and Administration and Human Resources, and the University Corporate Secretary.

The 21st AMECEA Plenary also reconstituted the University Council. Mr. Peter Ndaa left the Council after 12 years of service, and Rt. Rev. Flavian Matindi Kassala of Geita, Tanzania, and Mr. Paul Mwaniki Mwariri joined as new members. The Council Chair paid tribute to Council Member Rt. Rev. Bernadin Mfumbusa, who died earlier this year after a short illness.

Bishop Kadima urged the graduates to join the CUEA Alumni Association, which he said offers a network of more than 35,000 alumni. He congratulated the association for electing its leaders for the first time in its history at its Annual General Meeting in August, and invited the new leadership to partner with the university administration.

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