The vision and motivation that underpin BGIR is the desire for promoting excellence in the teaching of governance and international relations in the conflict prone Great Lakes Region, of Africa, and the entire Africa by situating it the global perspective. The BGIR is a response to governance failure across much of Africa which resulted into violent conflicts and state collapse that characterised the last decades of the 20th Century.
As the Western World cerebrated the collapse of communism and comprehensive triumph of capitalism and democracy championed by the United States in the early 1990s, most of the African countries were engulfed in violent civil wars which climaxed in the Rwandan genocide in 1994, state collapse in Somalia, the overthrow of the corrupt regime of Zaire’s President Mubutu currently the DRC in 1997 which had become a scar on Africa’s conscience. It was felt that a Bachelor’s degree programme that provides for the development of competencies in governance, peace and conflict resolution and international relations through teaching and research would generate well-grounded professionals for a robust career in diplomacy, conflict resolution and post-conflict peace-building of societies divided by decades of violent ethnic conflicts. Students of BGIR are expected to be innovative, with the ability to utilise evidence-based research and analysis to generate academic and policy ideas that would contribute to consolidation of democracy, good governance, regional integration and socio-economic transformation of Africa and its standing in international affairs.
Direct Entry
The Uganda Certificate of Education (‘O’ level) or an equivalent qualification;
At least two advanced level passes in approved subjects at the same sitting of the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Examination (‘A’ level) or equivalent.
Higher Education Certificate in the relevant discipline.
The Mature Age/Special Entry
Candidates for the Mature Age/Special Entry scheme must be Ugandan nationals of at least 22 years and have had formal education. Those who are successful, in both the written and the oral examination are then considered for admission.
The Diploma Holders Entry
Candidates must be holders of a relevant diploma, in the desired field of study, from a recognized institution of higher learning.
Advent/September, Easter/January, Trinity/May – Full-time Evening
Main/Mukono and Kampala Campus
The Bachelor of Governance and International Relations programme is a 3-year full-time day programme with six semesters of study.
Year 1 Semester 1: Introduction to Governance and Politics, Introduction to International Relations, Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies, Communication Skills in International Relations, Understanding the Old Testament , Writing and Study Skills I, Basic Computing.
Year 1 Semester 2: Classical and Modern Political Thought, International Relations Theory and Practice, Democracy and Human Rights, Human Resource Management in International Systems, Understanding the New Testament, Writing and Study Skills II, Basic Maths and Statistics.
Year 2 Semester 1: Regional Integration, Diplomacy Theory and Practice, Social Science Research Methods, International Law, International Political Economy, French I, Level A1.1 – A1.2, Understanding Worlds Views.
Year 2 Semester 2: French II, Level A1.3 – A2.1, International Organizations, Foreign Policy Analysis, Comparative Public Policy, International Security, Ethics in International Relations, Understanding Ethics in A Christian perspective.
Year 3 Semester 1: Civil Society in Africa, Gender and Governance, Humanitarian Emergency Management, International Aid and Development, French III, Level A2.2 – A2.3, Health and Wholeness, Electives (Choose only one; Kiswahili I, Global Environmental Politics, Public – Private Partnerships).
Year 3 Semester 2: Urban Governance, Contemporary Issues in International Relations, Project Planning and Management, French IV, Level A2.4 – A2.6, Dissertation, Electives: (Choose only one; Kiswahili II, Decentralization and Local Governance, Financial Management for Non-finance managers).
Train students in International Relations by imparting knowledge, research, analytical and communication skills through mentorship and internship programs.
Build students’ knowledge in peace and conflict resolution.
Ground students in theory and practice of governance and international relations in understanding global politics and processes.
Equip students with analytical skills that enables them to examine States’ Foreign Policies in the regional, continental and global contexts.
Equip students with linguistic skills to enhance their competitiveness in the international labour market.