ENTEBBE. A total of 2,087 students have graduated from Nkumba University.
This year’s 27th graduation cohort included several notable personalities. Retired Brigadier General Emmanuel Rwashande, the NRM flag bearer for Lwemiyaga County, and celebrated musician Catherine Kusasira .Both graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees in International Relations and Diplomacy.
Other students were awarded degrees, diplomas, and certificates from the various schools, including Law, Business and Administration, Social Sciences, Computing and Informatics, Education, Sciences, and Commercial, Industrial Art and Design, marking a significant milestone in the academic and professional journeys of the graduands.
The ceremony, held under the theme “Unlocking Potential: The Journey from Learning to Leading,” was presided over by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, as the guest of honor.
In his address, Tayebwa commended the graduates for their resilience, effort, and commitment. He emphasized the critical role of education in personal and national development.
“Education remains one of the most powerful tools for personal and national transformation, and it is always a delight for me to join those who value and celebrate this noble pursuit,” Tayebwa stated.
He urged the new graduates to view their graduation not as an endpoint, but as a milestone in a lifelong educational journey. “I reminded the graduates that their educational journey does not end with today’s achievement. I urged them to continue pursuing knowledge, embrace change, and be proud ambassadors of their university because the more they grow, the more Nkumba University grows with them,” he said.
Tayebwa also praised the university’s alignment with national development goals and its investment in science, technology, and innovation. He specifically thanked the University Chancellor, Emmanuel Katongole, for his visionary leadership in steering the institution towards embracing technology. Furthermore, he encouraged both the university and the graduates to harness the transformative power of artificial intelligence.
Chancellor Emmanuel Katongole, in his speech, inspired the Class of 2025 to lead with purpose and integrity. “I reminded our graduates that leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about actions that inspire others to dream, learn, and become more,” Katongole shared in a post on X.
In a significant highlight, the Uganda Police Force was well-represented, with 25 senior officers graduating with Master of Arts degrees in Security and Strategic Studies. The distinguished group included high-ranking commanders such as CP Polly Namaye (Head of Peace Support Operations), CP Kusemererwa James (Commandant of Land Protection Police), and CP Manzi David (Commandant of VIP Protection Unit), among others. Additionally, CP Acaye Philip, Commandant of Agricultural Police, earned a Master’s in Diplomacy and Global Studies.