Nkumba University closed 2025 on a high note, capping a year marked by national engagement, academic innovation, international collaboration and a renewed commitment to community impact.
The year opened with the institution stepping firmly onto the national stage. Between January 4 and 18, Nkumba University hosted patriotism training for more than 750 Guild Leaders drawn from higher education institutions across the country. The programme, which brought together student leaders from diverse backgrounds, positioned the university as what officials described at the time as “a convening space for leadership, civic consciousness, and national values.”
On January 7, the university deepened its development-focused agenda with the launch of the Nkumba University Rotary WASH Institute, a landmark initiative aimed at addressing water and sanitation challenges in Africa and beyond. Presiding over the launch, Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick said the institute represented “a practical response to real-world water-related problems affecting millions of people, grounded in academia but driven by service to humanity.”
Throughout the year, attention to quality assurance and academic standards remained constant. A delegation from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) conducted a compliance assessment, guiding the university’s trajectory in line with regulatory expectations. University management said the engagement reinforced its commitment to “utmost compliance and continuous improvement” in teaching, learning, and governance.
One of the defining moments of the year came with the 27th Graduation Ceremony, during which more than 2,087 students were awarded degrees, diplomas and certificates. University leaders described the occasion as “a celebration of a well-grounded breed of graduates ready to serve society,” underscoring Nkumba’s emphasis on competence, character and relevance.
Student creativity and industry exposure took centre stage as the year progressed. Learners from the School of Industrial and Creative Arts and Design (SCIAD) showcased their talent at the annual Art and Design Exhibition, while Journalism and Public Relations students tested their professional skills during the Inter-University Media Challenge. The activities reflected what university officials termed a growing emphasis on experiential learning and industry-aligned training.
Internationalization featured prominently in 2025. Two students from the School of Business Administration, Grace Aanyu and Jocelyne Mugisa, represented Nkumba University at FH Joanneum University in Austria, where they presented about the institution during an academic exhibition. “It was an opportunity to showcase Nkumba on a global platform,” Ms Aanyu said, describing the experience as both affirming and inspiring.
In the same spirit of global engagement, students from the University of Copenhagen, Nkumba’s partner institution in Denmark, attended joint classes with Nursing students. The exchange enriched cross-cultural learning and strengthened academic collaboration between the two institutions.
Leadership development at the grassroots level was evident during orientation week, where Guild Leaders actively guided and engaged new students. “We are nurturing a culture where leadership is learned, practiced and passed on,” said Nkumba University Guild President Mawanda Derick, noting that peer leadership had become a defining feature of student life.
On the sporting front, Nkumba University enjoyed a memorable season, posting results that underlined both pride and dominance. The volleyball teams capped off a productive year by formally presenting medals won during the season to the Vice Chancellor and the University Secretary, a gesture that highlighted a campaign marked by discipline and consistency.
On the football pitch, the university’s team impressed in the ongoing 2025/2026 Pepsi University Football League, registering three wins from four matches and placing themselves firmly among the contenders.
Away from home, Nkumba flew the flag high at the 20th Association of Uganda University Sports (ASUUS) Games hosted by Uganda Christian University in Mukono. The university registered four victories and returned with a trophy, further cementing its growing sporting profile.
In the inter-school games, it was the School of Education that stole the spotlight, emerging overall champions and proudly taking home the bull, a symbolic prize that crowned a competitive season.
The university’s national visibility was further affirmed at the 15th Higher Education Exhibition, where the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, visited Nkumba University’s stall. He engaged staff and students on the institution’s academic programmes and innovations, an interaction university officials described as a boost to its public profile.
Student welfare and inclusion also featured prominently during the year. Twenty-five students received free laptops under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme, enhancing access to digital learning tools. Complementing this support, TotalEnergies, Schlumberger and the Petroleum Authority of Uganda donated eight high-performance CPU towers and 16 advanced monitors. The equipment strengthened Nkumba’s ICT infrastructure, particularly supporting the School of Science in training highly qualified petroleum geoscientists.
Internally, staff development remained a priority. The university conducted a staff capacity-building training during the year, followed by an end-of-year staff party and retreat. Management described the retreat as “a moment to reflect, reconnect and realign for the future.”
Beyond campus, Nkumba University deepened its community footprint through the launch of the Digitally Enabled Community-Centered Early Childhood Development Approach (DECEDA) project, supported by the Uganda Communications Commission. The initiative aims to equip primary school teachers with skills to integrate e-learning into classroom practice.
“This is about shaping learning from the foundation and ensuring no community is left behind in the digital transition,” said Vice Chancellor Prof Jude Lubega, underscoring the university’s commitment to inclusive development.
As the year drew to a close, Prof Lubega lauded staff and students for the collective effort that defined 2025, while urging them to carry the same momentum into the new year.
“I extend warm appreciation to our staff and students for the dedication that defined 2025,” Prof Lubega said. “Together, we recorded notable academic progress, strengthened research and innovation, expanded partnerships and upheld the values that make Nkumba University a community of purpose. Our synergy across disciplines, offices and classrooms kept us focused and resilient. Thank you.”
Adding that “I now call upon each and every one of you to transmit the same energy to 2026 as we look forward to a great year. Happy New Year, and onward together.”
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