By Andrew Bugembe

Uganda Christian University (UCU), through its Bishop Barham University College (BBUC) will hold Part III of the 26th Graduation Ceremony on Friday, November 14, 2025, at its Kabale Campus.

A total of 353 students are set to graduate, 228 males (65%) and 125 females (35%) with six of them earning First-Class Honours (five males and one female).

The announcement was made during a press conference held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at BBUC, led by Rev. Assoc. Prof. John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, representing UCU’s Vice Chancellor.

“At this graduation, the story is slightly different,” Prof. Kitayimbwa said with a smile. “For once, the boy child has outperformed the girl child. Sixty-five percent of our graduands are male  a reversal of what we normally see at other campuses. While elsewhere we encourage the boy child to rise, here, perhaps, we need to encourage the girl child to come up.”

He celebrated the university’s top achievers, noting that Ordinand William Birungi, who scored a CGPA of 4.87 in Bachelor of Divinity, emerged as the best overall student, while Pamela Kiden Simon, with a CGPA of 4.67 in Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, was recognized as the best female student.

“Such performance demonstrates what UCU stands for — academic excellence anchored in character, faith, and integrity,” he emphasized. “We do not only train minds; we nurture complete persons academically, spiritually, emotionally, socially, and physically.”

Prof. Kitayimbwa also reminded parents and guests that UCU is “unashamedly Christian.”

“We teach our students to honor God in every aspect  including  timekeeping, discipline, and even dressing,” he said. “Tomorrow’s graduation will begin at exactly 8:00 a.m. because time matters to us, and so does decency in physical appearance.”

He invited parents to participate in the Graduation Ceremony dressed smartly, noting that anyone violating the dress code would not be allowed to access the graduation grounds.

The Principal of UCU- BBUC, Dr. Alice Jossy Kyobutungi Tumwesigye, congratulated the graduands and reminded them that their UCU journey has shaped more than their intellect.

“We expect our students to be exemplary at the workplace because they come from this institution,” she said. “They are unique  not only in knowledge but in character. History shows that when employers shortlist applicants, they look for UCU graduates because of the integrity and discipline we instill in all our learners.”

She also highlighted the academic diversity at BBUC, including Education, Journalism, Divinity, and the Higher Education Access Certificate, a bridging course that enables students to qualify for degree programs of their choice.

Associate Prof. Angella Napakol Ahimbisibwe spoke passionately about UCU’s growth, including the establishment of new colleges such as Kagando University College in Kasese, which focuses on offering health-related programs.

“We invite the public to explore our new campuses and the wide range of programs we offer from Nursing and Maternal Health to Mechatronics and Journalism,” she said. “Our postgraduate programs are also offered online, making them accessible to professionals wherever they are.”

She further emphasized UCU’s holistic approach to education.

“We are intentional about character formation. From day one, we hold induction services to help students grow holistically, not just academically. Having a first-class degree without character is not enough.”

In her remarks, Dr. Joy Turyamwijuka Asiimwe, the Academic Registrar at UCU-BBUC, made a heartfelt appeal to families in Western Uganda to prioritize girl child education.

“It is rare to see more males than females graduating, especially in this region,” she observed. “We encourage families not to send their daughters only to the farmlands, fetch water for home use or worse still get married early. Give them an equal opportunity to study, just like the boys.”

The graduation ceremony will be presided over by His Grace, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, the Chancellor of UCU and Archbishop of the Church of Uganda. The Chief Guest will be Eng. Reuben Byaruhanga Tumwebaze, Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Clays Limited, and a proud son of the soil – Kigezi.

Edited By: Harriet Adong Atuyambe, UCU Director Communication and Public Relations