Yesterday, Ian Ndamwesiga, famously known as Ndam Genius, walked across the graduation stage at Uganda Christian University (UCU) and made it official—a First-Class Law Degree, Summa Cum Laude. But this wasn’t just a graduation. It was the culmination of a journey marked by unmatched intellect, relentless self-belief, and fearless course correction.
Ian first caught the nation’s attention when he emerged as Uganda’s top A’level student, scoring an outstanding 25 points in PEM/Entrepreneurship. A natural-born scholar, he was expected to thrive in any field. And he did—just not in the one he started with.
Though his dream had always been to study law, Ian was ushered into the world of science thanks to his stellar grades. He enrolled in Civil Engineering at Makerere University on government sponsorship, but passion doesn’t bend to pressure. Even as an engineering student, people often assumed he was a law student—drawn by his sharp arguments, commanding presence, and courtroom energy.
Eventually, Ian made a defining decision: he left engineering behind to pursue what he truly loved. He joined UCU’s Law School, and from day one, he proved he belonged. Yesterday’s graduation was simply the final stamp on years of excellence—academic and otherwise.
While in university, Ian didn’t just study—he led. He made history at Makerere by becoming the first and only person to serve two consecutive terms as Guild Prime Minister, and when he got to UCU, he repeated the feat—elected Guild PM in his very first year. He later stepped away from student politics to lock in on academics, a choice that clearly paid off.
In 2015, Ian also cemented his place among the region’s finest minds, winning Overall Best Debater in the East African Youth Ambassadorial Debates.
From top science student to law school trailblazer, Ian Ndamwesiga is more than a story of brilliance—he’s proof that following your passion is the smartest move you can make.
