By Irene Best Nyapendi
As Uganda Christian University (UCU) prepares to celebrate its 26th Graduation tomorrow, one of the names on the list is Lawrence Nyeko, a Bachelor of Divinity graduate who has earned a First-Class degree with a CGPA of 4.60.
“I feel good,” he says with a wide smile. “It has been a long journey getting here, with many struggles along the way. I was supposed to graduate last year. That delay was very stressful, but now that I have reached this point, I feel so delighted.”
Lawrence, 33, comes from the Diocese of Kitgum in northern Uganda. Before joining UCU, he studied at St. Paul’s University in Nairobi. Yet when he first set foot on UCU’s Main campus, he was deeply impressed.
“The first day I arrived, I thought I wasn’t in Uganda,” he recalls. “The environment is so beautiful, the buildings are excellent, and the library, oh, it’s such a peaceful place to read and do research. You just feel like studying.”
He says what stood out most during his time at UCU was not only the serene learning environment but also the supportive staff. “At UCU, you can walk into someone’s office and get a good reception. That’s not something you find everywhere,” he said.
Achieving a First Class wasn’t easy. Nyeko began his studies without a laptop, making research and assignments difficult. His first semester was tough but when he finally got a laptop in the second semester, his performance improved a lot. He even scored 4.86 in one semester, it was so encouraging.
He is grateful to his lecturers for inspiring him to aim higher and notes that Professor Edison Kalenjo and Professor Peter Nyende challenged me.
“When you attend their lectures, you come out changed. You can’t leave the room the same person, you feel you have truly learned something,” He explained.
Looking ahead, Nyeko is already planning his next academic step he wants to return for a Master’s in Institutional Management and Leadership.
To current students, especially those aspiring to graduate with top honors, Nyeko offers simple but powerful advice:
“To get a First Class, you must manage your time well. Balance your activities, focus, and do a lot of research. Lecturers will guide you, but you must also explore on your own. Above all, it’s all about how you use your time.”
Congratulations, to the UCU Class of 2025!