At Victoria University’s 9th Graduation Ceremony, held in Kampala under the theme “Shaping the Future,” the institution’s leadership issued a stirring message — a call for graduates to lead Africa’s transformation through ethics, innovation, and self-belief.
The event brought together over 2,500 graduands, alongside parents, dignitaries, Members of Parliament, and leaders from academia and the Uganda Police Force.
A Somber but Inspiring Start
The ceremony began on a reflective note as Chancellor Prof. John Opuda-Asibo led mourners in a moment of silence for three departed members of the university community — Rajiv Ruparelia, Joram Francis Kahene, and Dr. Issa Seroda.
Paying tribute to their legacy, Prof. Opuda-Asibo described education as the “lifeblood of national progress.”
“Education is a noble pursuit that transforms individuals, families, and nations,” he said. “To ignore education is to ignore the nation itself.”
He lauded Victoria University’s steady rise as a pioneer of technology-driven and learner-centred education, declaring that the institution had now matured into a model of digital innovation.
“We are now a mature university,” he said. “Our mission is to produce future-ready graduates — equipped with digital competence, moral clarity, and a spirit of innovation.”
“Africa Must Believe in Herself”
Prof. Opuda-Asibo urged the graduates to build lives anchored in integrity, accountability, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
“The most complex challenges of our time cannot be solved within the walls of a single discipline,” he said, emphasizing cooperation in addressing global issues such as climate change and technological disruption.
He closed his address with a message of empowerment:
“There is nothing more important than your character. Don’t doubt yourself — believe in yourself. Particularly for us in Africa, we must stop thinking that others are in charge. You are the future.”
Kyabazinga Champions a “Digital-First” Mindset
The Chief Guest, His Royal Highness William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Gabula Nadiope IV, the Kyabazinga of Busoga, reinforced the digital vision, calling it the foundation of modern progress.
“The world you are graduating into is vastly different from the one that existed when many of you entered university,” he said. “Innovation is no longer optional. Digital fluency is the new language of empowerment and transformation.”
The monarch commended Victoria University’s “digital-first” model as a blueprint for African higher education, urging other institutions to integrate technology and creativity into their teaching.
Dr. Muganga: “AI is Reshaping the Job Market”
In his speech, Vice Chancellor Dr. Lawrence Muganga warned that the world of work was being rapidly redefined by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Citing projections from the World Economic Forum, he noted that while AI could create 170 million new jobs, it may also eliminate 92 million others, posing a challenge for universities to adapt.
“This raises a crucial question: Are we preparing our students for careers that may vanish tomorrow?” Dr. Muganga asked.
He revealed that every Victoria University student receives free AI training, ensuring graduates are equipped to thrive in the digital economy.
“At Victoria University, we have chosen a different path — one that ensures our students are not left behind.”
Legacy of Innovation
The event was graced by Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, the university’s founder and chairman, and his family. Since its founding in 2013, Victoria University has grown into a leading private university in Uganda, recognized for its emphasis on digital literacy, employability, and innovation-driven education.
As the graduates tossed their caps in celebration, one message rang clear across the hall: the future belongs to those who create, not those who wait.
