About The library

Welcome to ABK Library

 

About Us

The Library of Uganda Martyrs University, referred to as the Archbishop Kiwanuka Memorial Library, was founded at the inception of the University in 1993. It is named in memory of the first African bishop, Late Archbishop Joseph Nakabaale Kiwanuka (1899-1966) because of his visionary thinking, especially for conceiving the idea of establishing a catholic University in Uganda.

The library boasts of a collection of over 54,000 volumes in print, 30,000 online journals, and over 200,000 titles of e-books, all relevant to the courses taught by the university.

The library has made provision for its users to access the collection in both print and electronic format from any of the university’s satellite campuses i.e. at Lubaga, Nsambya, Mbale, Ngetta, Masaka, and Fort Portal where sizeable Libraries and a virtual presence of the library has been established to serve the staff and students at the respective campuses.

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Our Vision

01

To provide quality higher education, training and research for the betterment of society guided by ethical values.

The University Libraries strengthen and enhance the teaching, research, and service of the University.

The Libraries promote intellectual growth and creativity by developing collections, facilitating access to information resources, teaching the effective use of information resources and critical evaluation skills, and offering research assistance.

Our Mission

02

The University Libraries are engaged in learning and discovery as essential participants in the educational community. We develop, organize, provide access to and preserve materials to meet the needs of present and future generations of students and scholars. We explore and implement innovative technologies and services to deliver information and scholarly resources conveniently to users anytime/ anyplace. 

We also provide well-equipped and functional physical spaces where students can pursue independent learning and discovery outside the classroom. The University Libraries support scholarship and research productivity and foster their vitality.

Our Values

03

  • Transparency

  • Accountability

  • Reliability

  • Action based on Institutional Ethos

  • Quality

Historical background

 

History

Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) is a faith-based private University owned by the Episcopal Conference of the Catholic Bishops of Uganda. UMU acknowledges the late Archbishop Kiwanuka as the Father of Catholic higher education in Uganda. It (UMU) is located at Nkozi hill, 82 km west of Kampala, the Capital of Uganda, on the Kampala-Masaka highway.

The concept of a Catholic University in Uganda dates back as far 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.

Consequently, the University was officially launched on 24th March 1991 by His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of Uganda. Uganda Martyrs University was granted a provisional license on 17th August 1993, and the first academic year opened on Monday 18th October 1993, the anniversary of the canonization of the Uganda Martyrs. It started with 84 students (28 female and 56 male) from all parts of Uganda admitted in two academic Units, namely the Institute of Ethics and Development Studies and the Faculty of Business Administration and Management. This enrolment has increased unabated over the years.

Currently UMU has ten academic units and a Campus or two in the four Catholic Ecclesiastical Provinces, with a number of Affiliate Institutions. On 18th October 1993, the University was officially opened in the presence of His Excellency, the President of Uganda, Yoweri K. Museveni, the Uganda Catholic Bishops, the Minister of Education and Sports, and a host of friends and well-wishers. Uganda Martyrs University is fully recognised by the Ministry of Education and Sports in Uganda and the awards conferred are autonomous.

The University was granted a Charter confirmed with a Certificate issued by National Council for Higher Education was on 3rd December, 2004 and signed by the President of Republic of Uganda on 2nd April 2005. Uganda Martyrs University opened in October 1993 with 84 students and two academic departments. Currently, UMU has 7 Faculties, 1 Institute, 3 Schools, 3 Directorates; and about 5,000 students, of whom about 1,500 are full-time residents on campus.

The remaining 2,500 and 1,000 participate in distance learning and part-time programmes respectively at the University campuses in Kabale, Kampala, Masaka, Mbale and Lira.