KUMI: President Yoweri Museveni has appealed to students across the country to use the knowledge and skills they have acquired to start business enterprises and strengthen community development.
“I encourage you, graduands, to approach the future not as job seekers but as job creators by using the knowledge and skills you have gained to innovate and start enterprises that support agriculture and embrace science and technology,” President Museveni said.
He made the remarks in a speech delivered on his behalf by Vice President Jessica Alupo during the 20th graduation ceremony of Kumi University in Kumi District, Eastern Uganda, today, November 28, 2025.
A total of 1,578 students including 813 females and 765 males graduated with degrees and diplomas in various academic disciplines. These included Education and Languages, Social Sciences and Management Studies, Science and Technology, among others.
Museveni said the government remains committed to improving the education sector, promoting research, expanding digital infrastructure, and supporting youth entrepreneurship.
He therefore urged universities to partner with the government, the private sector, and communities to translate academic knowledge into practical progress for the country.
The president encouraged students to carry forward the values of hard work, integrity, patriotism, and service. “Wherever you go, whether into classrooms, farms, offices, laboratories, or your own businesses, go with confidence and with a commitment to contribute to the development of Uganda,” he said.
Museveni also thanked the management and staff of Kumi University for their dedication in achieving such milestones.
“As you celebrate 20 years, I urge you to strengthen research, uphold academic integrity, and ensure that your graduates are globally competitive by nurturing a learning environment that prepares them to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” he said.
He added that the 20-year milestone is not only a celebration of academic achievement but also a testament to two decades of the university’s contribution to Uganda’s human capital development.
Museveni commended Kumi University for the significant role it has played in expanding access to higher education in Eastern Uganda and across the region.
“Over the years, this institution has produced professionals in education, business, agriculture, information technology, and other critical fields,” he noted.
The president further emphasized that the NRM government appreciates institutions that support the national agenda of skilling Ugandans, promoting innovation, and strengthening community development.
“As we look to the future, Uganda needs graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also creative and solution-oriented. The world is changing quickly, with new technologies, new economic demands, and new global challenges,” Museveni said.
The University Chancellor, Dr. Sung Joo Hwang, congratulated the graduands and staff on this great milestone.
“Today marks the culmination of your hard work, resilience, and determination. You have overcome challenges, especially in recent years when the world faced disruptions that tested the limits of our education systems. Yet here you are—standing strong, prepared, and ready to serve your nation and the world,” Hwang said.
He also congratulated parents, guardians, and lecturers for supporting the journey.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Jong-In Hong urged students not to live only for themselves but for others. “We are not meant to live just for ourselves, but to live for others and be a blessing to the people around us,” Prof. Hong said.
