Mbale, 28th November 2025: Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mbale University College has today graduated 580 students during the 26th Graduation Ceremony (Part 3) held in Mbale City, where Supreme Court Judge Justice Catherine Bamugemereire urged the graduands to champion integrity, courage, and value-driven leadership in a world increasingly troubled by corruption, professional misconduct, and moral decline.
Justice Bamugemereire, who was that Chief Guest, commended UCU for its consistent national reputation in producing exceptional lawyers, clergy, educators, and professionals across sectors. She cautioned the graduands against shortcuts and unethical practices especially workplace sexual harassment and corruption.
“There are workplaces today where some people cannot recruit without making sexual demands. Fight corruption. Go out with value-laden leadership; integrity, courage, humility, service above self, and self-discipline, so that when your name is mentioned, people proudly say, ‘That is a student of UCU.’” Justice Bamugemereire said.
She encouraged the graduands to embrace hard work and resist the lure of instant wealth, advising them to explore opportunities in agriculture, especially coffee farming, which she said is central to Uganda’s emerging agrarian revolution.
The University Chancellor and Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, who presided over the ceremony, commended the Vice Chancellor and University Management for upholding UCU’s excellence in teaching, research, moral formation, and character development. He reminded the graduands that UCU was founded on values of partnership with the Church, service to society, and the formation of leaders grounded in Faith, Integrity, and Excellence.
Archbishop Kaziimba noted that the ceremony was taking place at a time when the nation faces important political, social, and economic challenges. He called on the graduands to serve as ambassadors of peace, justice, and reconciliation.
Encouraging graduands not to fear new beginnings, he acknowledged the sacrifices they had made and reminded them that receiving their degrees marked the start of a new mission. “Do not be afraid of new beginnings; they are God’s invitations to rise higher,” he said, urging them to carry the identity of UCU wherever they serve.
Rt. Rev. Samuel George Bogere Egesa, Bishop of Bukedi Diocese and Chairperson of the College Governing Council, announced that beginning January 2026, UCU will expand its practical training through the East African Project on Sustainable Development.
According to Bishop Egesa, the initiative will offer students internships, practical sessions, and multi-disciplinary real-world experiences. He encouraged graduands to root their careers in Christ and represent the university with honour.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Rev. Prof. John Kitayimbwa, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, reaffirmed UCU’s strong commitment to advancing research, academic excellence, and staff development. He noted that the University continues to invest in equipping and training academic staff, with many pursuing Master’s and Doctoral studies both locally and internationally. This, he said, strengthens UCU’s capacity to deliver high-quality teaching and impactful scholarship. He also highlighted the university’s growing continental reputation, citing its recent listing by Time Magazine as the 7th most beautiful campus in Africa.
The College Principal, Mr. Vincent Kisenyi, reported that among the 580 graduates, 291 were male (51%) and 289 female (49%), with seven students attaining First Class degrees. Miss Masette Elsie Wokuri (Bachelor of Public Health and Social Administration) emerged as the overall best student with a CGPA of 4.68, also making her the best female graduate. Mr. Abdul Nasser Majid Majete (Bachelor of Business Administration) was the best male student with a CGPA of 4.62.
Mr. Kisenyi celebrated the college’s sports excellence in 2025. The men’s rugby team won the Jinja 7s trophy at Kakindu on 6 July, while the women’s team dominated the Uganda Women’s Rugby Sevens on 14 July. The men’s team also clinched the Pefer Africa (Kampala) 19s tournament—its fourth win since 2021. Volleyball teams from Mbale Campus performed strongly, and the football team excelled in the 2025/26 Regional Tier Third League. Special recognition went to Ms. Nambozo Maida, named among the best defenders in the 2025 National Games women’s team.
He further noted that despite economic challenges, UCU Mbale continues to improve infrastructure. Hostels are currently undergoing renovation, and the college has built a modern science laboratory to support its expanding science programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Education.
Photos by Uganda Christian University Communications Office
