Religion & Spirituality at USJM
At the University of Saint Joseph Mbarara, a Catholic institution. We embrace the rich spiritual heritage that shapes our community. Our commitment to fostering a nurturing environment for faith and spirituality is reflected in our diverse religious programs and services.
Spiritual Foundation: As a Catholic university, our spiritual mission is central to all we do. We provide opportunities for students of all faiths to deepen their spiritual lives and explore the values that guide their personal journeys.
Community & Dialogue: We believe in the power of dialogue and understanding among different religious traditions. Our interfaith programs encourage students to explore diverse beliefs, fostering mutual respect and collaboration within our campus community.
Our Mission: To foster a vibrant spiritual community that supports the holistic development of students, encouraging them to live lives of faith, integrity, and service to others.
Chaplain's Message: As head of Campus Ministry, I am committed to providing spiritual guidance and support to all members of our university community. Through our various religious and spiritual services, we aim to nurture the spiritual growth of each student.
Rev. Fr. Albert Zongo (Chaplain)
University Chaplain
Religious Denominations
Catholic Community at USJM
Campus Ministry
Our Campus Ministry offers a variety of spiritual services to support the faith journey of every student. We provide:
- Regular Masses and Eucharistic celebrations
- Prayer groups and spiritual circles
- Retreats and spiritual renewal programs
- Sacramental preparation and counseling
- Pastoral care and spiritual guidance
We welcome students of all faiths to participate in our activities and find support in their spiritual journeys.
Spiritual Services
| Service | Schedule | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday Mass | 7:00 AM | University Chaplaincy Chapel |
| Sunday Mass | 10:30 AM | University Chaplaincy Chapel |
| Weekday Mass | 7:00 AM | University Chaplaincy Chapel |
| Blessed Sacrament Adoration | 12:00 - 12:30 PM | University Chaplaincy Chapel |
| Blessed Sacrament Adoration | 6:00 - 7:00 PM | University Chaplaincy Chapel |
| Confessions | By appointment | Chaplaincy Office |
| Prayer Meetings by every Movement | Weekly | Student Center |
| Spiritual Counseling | By appointment | Chaplaincy Office |
| Sundays Mass | 4:00 PM | Kyera |
Religious Movements & Organizations
- Charismatic renewal
- Legion of Mary
- Saint Jude
- Choir
- Altar Servers
- Eucharistic Apostles of Divine Mercy
- Apostles of Jesus
- Mary Mother of Our Savior Presidium
- Eucharistic Youth Wing
Spiritual Resources
The university provides various resources to support students' spiritual well-being:
- Meditation Spaces: Quiet prayer rooms available throughout campus
- Counseling Services: Professional spiritual and pastoral counseling
- Religious Texts: Access to a wide collection of sacred texts and spiritual literature
- Chaplaincy Support: Our chaplains available for guidance and support
- Spiritual Reading Materials: Books, pamphlets, and online resources for spiritual growth
Our chaplains are available to offer guidance and support to those seeking spiritual growth and deeper faith understanding.
Interfaith Dialogue & Respect
We believe strongly in the value of dialogue and mutual understanding among different religious traditions. Our interfaith programs include:
-
Interfaith Forums
Regular discussions bringing together students from different faith backgrounds to learn from one another.
-
Multi-Faith Celebrations
Events celebrating various religious traditions and holidays throughout the academic year.
-
Collaborative Service Projects
Community outreach initiatives that unite students across faith traditions in service to others.
-
Guest Speakers & Workshops
Educational sessions featuring leaders from various religious communities sharing their perspectives and experiences.
Faith-Based Student Organizations
Students are encouraged to engage with our religious and spiritual offerings through various student-led organizations:
- Catholic Students' Association (CSA)
- Christian Student Fellowship
- Interfaith Student Council
- Volunteer Service Teams
- Praise & Worship Group
- Community Service Ministry
Join any of these organizations to connect with like-minded students and deepen your spiritual engagement.
Contact Information
General Inquiries: Contact the Chaplaincy Office for all spiritual and religious matters.
Chaplain: Rev. Fr. Albert Zongo - Available for spiritual guidance and pastoral counseling
Office Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Monday to Friday)
Office Location: Chaplaincy Center, University Campus
Email: chaplaincy@usj.ac.ug
Emergency Spiritual Support: Available 24/7 for urgent pastoral needs
Protestant Community at USJM
Campus Ministry
Our Protestant Campus Ministry provides spiritual support and fellowship opportunities for all Protestant students. We offer:
- Regular worship services and prayer meetings
- Bible study groups and Scripture exploration
- Spiritual mentoring and pastoral counseling
- Retreats and faith-building conferences
- Community outreach and service programs
We welcome all Protestant students to join our vibrant faith community and grow spiritually together.
Spiritual Services
| Service | Schedule | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday Worship Service | 9:00 AM | Student Center Chapel |
| Sunday Worship Service | 4:00 PM | Student Center Chapel |
| Bible Study | Wednesday 6:00 PM | Student Center |
| Prayer Meeting | Thursday 5:00 PM | Student Center |
| Praise & Worship | Friday 7:00 PM | Student Center |
| Fellowship Lunch | Sunday 11:00 AM | Student Center |
| Spiritual Counseling | By appointment | Chaplaincy Office |
Religious Movements & Organizations
- Christian Student Fellowship (CSF)
- Praise & Worship Group
- Bible Study Circles
- Youth for Christ Chapter
- Prayer Warriors Network
- Volunteer Outreach Teams
- Campus Evangelism Team
Spiritual Resources
The university provides various resources to support students' spiritual well-being:
- Prayer Rooms: Quiet spaces for personal prayer and reflection
- Counseling Services: Professional spiritual and pastoral counseling
- Bible & Christian Literature: Access to Scripture and Christian books
- Chaplaincy Support: Chaplains available for guidance and support
- Study Materials: Resources for Bible study and spiritual growth
Our chaplains are available to offer guidance and support to those seeking spiritual growth and deeper faith understanding.
Interfaith Dialogue & Respect
We believe strongly in the value of dialogue and mutual understanding among different religious traditions. Our interfaith programs include:
-
Interfaith Forums
Regular discussions bringing together students from different faith backgrounds to learn from one another.
-
Multi-Faith Celebrations
Events celebrating various religious traditions and holidays throughout the academic year.
-
Collaborative Service Projects
Community outreach initiatives that unite students across faith traditions in service to others.
-
Guest Speakers & Workshops
Educational sessions featuring leaders from various religious communities sharing their perspectives and experiences.
Faith-Based Student Organizations
Students are encouraged to engage with our religious and spiritual offerings through various student-led organizations:
- Christian Student Fellowship (CSF)
- Youth for Christ Chapter
- Interfaith Student Council
- Volunteer Service Teams
- Praise & Worship Group
- Community Service Ministry
Join any of these organizations to connect with like-minded students and deepen your spiritual engagement.
Contact Information
General Inquiries: Contact the Chaplaincy Office for all spiritual and religious matters.
Protestant Chaplain: Available for spiritual guidance and pastoral counseling
Office Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Monday to Friday)
Office Location: Chaplaincy Center, University Campus
Email: chaplaincy@usj.ac.ug
Emergency Spiritual Support: Available 24/7 for urgent pastoral needs
Muslim Community at USJM
Campus Ministry
Our Islamic Campus Ministry is dedicated to supporting Muslim students in their faith journey and providing a welcoming community. We offer:
- Daily prayer facilities and Qur'an study circles
- Support for Islamic holidays and observances
- Islamic education and Qur'anic instruction
- Community fellowship and brotherhood/sisterhood
- Spiritual guidance and counseling services
We welcome all Muslim students to participate in our programs and find strong community support in their spiritual journey.
Spiritual Services
| Service | Schedule | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr Prayer (Dawn) | 6:00 AM | Prayer Room - Main Campus |
| Dhuhr Prayer (Noon) | 12:00 PM | Prayer Room - Main Campus |
| Asr Prayer (Afternoon) | 3:30 PM | Prayer Room - Main Campus |
| Maghrib Prayer (Sunset) | 6:00 PM | Prayer Room - Main Campus |
| Isha Prayer (Evening) | 7:30 PM | Prayer Room - Main Campus |
| Jumu'ah (Friday Prayer) | 1:00 PM | Prayer Hall |
| Qur'an Study Circle | Thursday 5:00 PM | Student Center |
Religious Movements & Organizations
- Islamic Students Association (ISA)
- Qur'an Study Circle
- Muslim Youth Network
- Sisters in Islam Support Group
- Ramadan Coordination Committee
- Community Service Team
- Islamic Knowledge Circle
Spiritual Resources
The university provides various resources to support students' spiritual well-being:
- Prayer Facilities: Dedicated prayer rooms with ablution facilities
- Qur'anic Library: Access to Qur'ans and Islamic scholarly works
- Counseling Services: Islamic counseling and pastoral support
- Islamic Scholars: Mentors and scholars available for guidance
- Ramadan Support: Special programs and iftar arrangements during Ramadan
Our Islamic chaplains are available to offer guidance and support to those seeking spiritual growth and deeper Islamic understanding.
Interfaith Dialogue & Respect
We believe strongly in the value of dialogue and mutual understanding among different religious traditions. Our interfaith programs include:
-
Interfaith Forums
Regular discussions bringing together students from different faith backgrounds to learn from one another.
-
Multi-Faith Celebrations
Events celebrating various religious traditions and holidays throughout the academic year.
-
Collaborative Service Projects
Community outreach initiatives that unite students across faith traditions in service to others.
-
Guest Speakers & Workshops
Educational sessions featuring leaders from various religious communities sharing their perspectives and experiences.
Faith-Based Student Organizations
Students are encouraged to engage with our religious and spiritual offerings through various student-led organizations:
- Islamic Students Association (ISA)
- Muslim Youth Network
- Interfaith Student Council
- Community Service Ministry
- Sisters in Islam Support Group
- Volunteer Outreach Teams
Join any of these organizations to connect with like-minded students and deepen your spiritual engagement.
Contact Information
General Inquiries: Contact the Chaplaincy Office for all spiritual and religious matters.
Islamic Chaplain: Available for spiritual guidance and pastoral counseling
Office Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Monday to Friday)
Office Location: Chaplaincy Center, University Campus
Email: chaplaincy@usj.ac.ug
Emergency Spiritual Support: Available 24/7 for urgent pastoral needs