KAMPALA – Graduates in Uganda have been urged to leverage available government programs and funds to develop income-generating projects, positioning themselves as job creators rather than job seekers.
Speaking at the 27th graduation ceremony of Nkumba University on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa said the country requires leaders who can innovate solutions to existing social and economic challenges.
“What lies ahead is the responsibility to use the knowledge, skills and values you have gained here to transform your lives and those of the people around you,” Tayebwa said. “In an age of global disruption and innovation, your generation must be agile, creative and proactive.”
He commended Nkumba University’s initiative for a digitally enabled, community-centered early childhood project that will equip teachers from 32 primary schools across Uganda with skills to effectively integrate e-learning into their teaching practices.
“This is truly the way forward. The only way we can help young learners quickly embrace the digital age is by introducing them to technology early on,” Tayebwa said. “I request you, graduates, to go and replicate this in your communities.”
The deputy speaker also commended private universities for their role in filling the education gap and bringing academia closer to communities.
“Universities like Nkumba have played a critical role in democratizing the education sector. If we had only remained with government institutions, I do not know where all the students from our secondary schools would be admitted,” Tayebwa said.
Nkumba University Chancellor Emmanuel Katongole urged the graduates to exude confidence, competence, creativity and good character, which he said will empower them to step into boardrooms, workplaces and communities with courage.
“As chancellor, I have conferred upon you your awards, but remember, your real graduation begins tomorrow,” Katongole said. “When all is said and done, degrees may open doors, but it is these four virtues that will keep those doors open and allow you to walk through them with dignity and purpose.”
The vice chancellor, Prof. Jude Lubega, thanked the government for its support to the university, specifically a tax waiver of 4.4 billion shillings (about $1.2 million) that had accumulated in tax arrears from 2014. He said the waiver was a significant boost to the university’s recovery.
“Nkumba University also received a capitalization grant of 300 million shillings (about $81,000) from the Ministry of Education and Sports to support its infrastructure development, which we are grateful for,” Prof. Lubega said. “I also request government to support us in establishing state-of-the-art laboratories for artificial intelligence and data science to be housed in the new ICT center of excellence block.”
At the ceremony, the university graduated 2,087 students. The cohort included 25 recipients of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees, 418 master’s degrees, 1,025 bachelor’s degrees, 217 postgraduate diplomas, 263 undergraduate diplomas and 139 certificates.
