Nkumba University’s Class of 2025 will be conferred with degrees on 25th October 2025. Among the graduands is Salim Alhaj Saleh, for whom the ceremony will mark more than the completion of an academic journey. For him, it is the fulfillment of a deeply personal dream, one rooted in service, leadership, and a vision of a hunger-free South Sudan, his motherland.
Speaking after picking his Graduation Regalia, the former Guild Prime Minister reflected on how his journey began with a simple conviction. “I borrowed a leaf from Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘I have a dream’,” he said, his voice steady but emotional. “I promised myself to contribute to my country’s development through what I call ‘The dream that ought to replicate the realities’. I dream that my compatriots will one day live in a nation where no one goes to bed hungry, because a hungry man is an angry man.”
That vision, he explained, drew him into the field of Agribusiness, determined to turn agriculture into a tool for community transformation, and that is how he chose to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management.
For three years, Nkumba University became what he fondly describes as “a home away from home.” He likened his academic growth to an egg patiently incubated through primary and secondary school, finally hatched at Nkumba under the guidance of the institution’s four Cs: Competence, Confidence, Creativity, and Character. “Nkumba provided an environment where leadership was not just about titles but about service,” he said. Beyond the classroom, Saleh volunteered with the Uganda Red Cross Society in Entebbe, a role that cemented his passion for humanity and community engagement.
His leadership journey reached its peak when he was appointed the Guild Prime Minister of the 29th Guild Government. In that role, he became the bridge between students and administration. “I made sure to represent the students’ concerns in Senate meetings, participated in orientation programs for new students, and carried the university’s name to platforms such as the National Youth Convention,” he recalled. “Most importantly, I organized activities that brought students together, because university life should be remarkable both academically and socially.”
Saleh attributes his growth to the supportive environment at Nkumba. “I extend my sincere gratitude to the management of Nkumba University and everyone who supported me academically, socially, and financially. They exhumed this resourceful version of me,” he said.
As he steps into the next chapter, Saleh carries with him what he calls “the motivation of a go-getter,” founded on leadership, compassion, and commitment to serve. “I want to inspire and uplift communities, starting with ensuring food security,” he said.
Nkumba University will hold its 27th Graduation Ceremony on 25th October 2025 at the Main Campus in Entebbe, with close to 2,000 students set to graduate.
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