MBARARA: The Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo has called upon Institutions of Higher Learning to focus on transforming the minds of leaders by including value addition skills alongside Patriotism and selflessness.
“I urge institutions of higher learning to focus on transforming the minds of leaders and managers to go beyond technical efficiency but also encapsulate skills like value addition alongside the higher order values such as patriotism, honesty and selflessness,” Alupo said.
The vice president explained that this kind of education which recognizes ideological concerns will make a critical contribution towards transforming Uganda.
Alupo made the remarks as she delivered President Yoweri Museveni’s message during the 21st graduation ceremony of Bishop Stuart University in Mbarara district yesterday October 24, 2025.
She reminded the graduads to actively fight corruption. “Since the University has a Christian foundation, I trust that your children will form a formidable force in Uganda to fight social ills like corruption as well as work hard to build the nation towards self-reliance and development,” she said.
Alupo reminded the gathering that the Government is fully committed to improving the education sector at all levels and urged stakeholders to participate in its growth and well-being for the benefit of all Ugandans.
“Continue with the support you have been giving to the NRM Government. I charge you to embrace the call for patriotism, be active participants in the fight against corruption, especially by being exemplary in your own work,” the vice president said.
Alupo was pleased to note that Bishop Stuart University has grown its programmes in areas in line with the Government strategy of providing the human capital development to transform the country especially in science based disciplines offered in the Faculty of Nursing and in the Faculty of Environmental Sciences.
She congratulated graduands for the well-earned achievement. “The journey which you have started today is of great importance to the growth of our nation and development of your families. Today’s graduation ceremony is a sign that the University is attaining maturity yet doing great work of improving the human resource of our nation,” she noted
Alupo further urged graduands to go out there and be relevant to our societies by continuously re-inventing themselves. “Remain relevant by focusing on the needs of the people. I encourage you to utilize the available opportunities and use your skills acquired to cause transformation,” she said.
To the parents and guardians.
The vice president thanked them for entrusting Bishop Stuart University with their children and for supporting them in all related expenses.
She said the University has given them the necessary hands-on skills that make our graduands employable in the competitive labour markets. “Thank you for making a wise investment in the education of your children,” Alupo lauded the parents.
She emphasised that graduation day is the climax of all academic achievements that have a cost and time implication to parents and guardians and to the entire Government of Uganda.
The Chancellor of Bishop Stuart University Rt. Rev. Assoc. Prof. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, who also serves as the Bishop of the Ankole Diocese extended appreciation towards the vice president and government for the generous contribution of Shs7.5b towards the establishment of the new science laboratory at the university.
The bishop lauded the university vice chancellor Prof. John Mugisha and his dear wife for his able leadership which has transformed the university to greater heights in record time.
BSU was recently marked 11th out of 54 universities in Uganda and 4th best university in Uganda, a move that demonstrates the university’s steady progress according to bishop Mwesigwa.
