Bushenyi, Uganda – A total of 2,214 students graduated this afternoon during the 31st graduation ceremony of Kampala International University (KIU), held at the institution’s Western Campus in Bushenyi. The event also marked the university’s 25th anniversary under the theme “Competence-Based Education for Sustainable Development.”
Students were conferred with diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and PhDs across a broad range of disciplines including health sciences, engineering, law, ICT, and social sciences.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Al Hajj Hassan Bassajjabalaba, reflected on KIU’s journey over the past 25 years. He noted that the institution has evolved from a classroom-based learning model to one that emphasizes industry-based training. He also revealed that KIU has graduated over 80,000 students since its inception.
“We call upon the entrepreneurial community in Bushenyi to harness the opportunities that come with having a university in their midst,” Bassajjabalaba urged, emphasizing KIU’s role as a driver of local economic growth and innovation.
Among the day’s academic highlights, 16 students were awarded PhDs, while 69 attained First Class Honours, earning special recognition for academic excellence.
The Chief Guest, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, Presidential Advisor on Manifesto Implementation, encouraged the graduates to uphold values of integrity and responsibility.
“You must be exemplary, respectful, accountable, creative, and transparent in all that you do,” Prof. Kamuntu said. “Be the light in the communities where you live and work.”
Also addressing the gathering was Dr. Silver Mugisha, Managing Director of National Water and Sewerage Corporation, who commended the university’s leadership for establishing a higher education institution of such magnitude in Bushenyi.
“KIU has significantly boosted the economic profile of the region and has become a strategic development pillar,” Dr. Mugisha remarked. He encouraged graduates to be innovative, leverage their networks, and apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired to succeed in life.
