A total of 4,086 students graduated in various disciplines from the Uganda Management Institute (UMI) in Kampala. The ceremony was presided over by Chief Justice Zeija, who challenged the graduates to uphold integrity and serve with humility.
He also urged institutions of higher learning to offer relevant courses that equip students with skills and knowledge to thrive in the competitive labour market.
The event marked the conferment of degrees and award of postgraduate diplomas, ordinary diplomas, master’s degrees, and PhDs to professionals in various fields for the 2024–2025 academic year, during the institute’s 23rd graduation ceremony held on Friday, May 8, 2026 at the UMI campus.
Barbara Alok, the current procurement officer of Alebtong district local government, speaking to journalists in Kampala after being awarded a Master’s in Public Procurement Management, said, “Today is not just the end of a chapter, but the beginning of a glorious new journey filled with purpose, impact, and endless possibilities “she added, “I commit everything that I do to the Lord, and He will establish my good plans,” quoting Proverbs 16:3.
Speaking during the ceremony on behalf of the Board of Governors, Professor James L. Nkata, the Director General of UMI, appreciated the President of Uganda, General Yoweri Museveni Kaguta, and the First Lady, Mama Janet Museveni, who is also the Minister of Education and Sports.
He also thanked the team from the education department who have worked tirelessly to ensure the institute reaches this milestone achievement of graduating participants. He urged graduates to focus on research for economic growth and to apply management skills in the workplace.
Professor Nkata added that since the Uganda Management Institute was established in 1969 as an institute of public administration and an agency of the Ministry of Public Service responsible for providing in-service training to public servants in Uganda, parents and staff, including the dedicated faculty, members of the Governing Council, and the Senate have had invaluable guidance and support.
He noted that their leadership and vision have been instrumental in shaping the institute’s success.
“Leadership is not merely about personal success, but about the ability to inspire, uplift, and transform communities.”
The Director General’s words resonated deeply, emphasizing the power of collaboration and unity in shaping a better future. True leaders are those who recognize that their roles extend beyond career achievements; they are called upon to serve and make meaningful contributions to society.
As graduates step into their new journeys, they must remember that education is a continuous process—one of inquiry, research, and innovation. The lessons learned at UMI are not just for personal growth but for creating ripples of progress that benefit many others.
Staying connected to those who walked the journey with them and fostering strong networks will amplify their impact. A UMI alumnus does not take a passive role in life but sits in the driver’s seat, leading through excellence and exemplary conduct.
Similarly, the Chancellor, His Lordship Chief Justice Emeritus Bart Magunda Katureebe, urged graduates to embrace leadership with a mindset that understands and responds to societal needs.
Leadership is about determining not just what people need, but also what they truly want. It requires an open mind, adaptability, and a commitment to unity. Uganda’s progress depends on leaders who do not shy away from challenges but step forward with solutions that make a lasting difference.
Katureebe also emphasised the importance of research, community engagement, and alternative justice systems, calling for increased investment in research to tackle Uganda’s governance challenges and advocating for formalizing alternative justice mechanisms.
The challenge is clear: to go out and become leaders whose impact is seen and felt. Graduates must apply their knowledge with integrity and purpose, ensuring they contribute meaningfully to their communities.
By doing so, they will not only build successful careers but also shape a Uganda that thrives on unity, progress, and shared prosperity.
The day was crowned with pride and achievement. The graduates of UMI stood not only with certificates in hand but with a renewed sense of responsibility. Their time at the institution had equipped them with the knowledge and skills needed to lead, innovate, and be the change their communities needed.
The learning that began within the walls of UMI did not end at graduation; it evolved into a journey of impact, where each graduate became a beacon of resilience and purpose.
With a commitment to shaping a future defined by progress and unity, they walked forward, ready to make their mark on the world.
Delivering the keynote address at UMI’s 23rd graduation ceremony, Uganda’s Chief Justice, Dr. Flavian Zeija, warned that technological disruption, demographic shifts, and economic transformation are reshaping the global labour market at an unprecedented pace.”
The days of straightjacket professionals are over,” Justice Zeija told the graduates. “If you are not dynamic, you may not be relevant in ten years.”
Citing the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, the Chief Justice noted that an estimated 59 percent of the global workforce will require reskilling by 2030 to meet changing labour demands—although many workers may never access such opportunities.
According to the report, he said, technological development, the green transition, and demographic changes are expected to create jobs equivalent to 14 percent of current global employment, while simultaneously displacing about 92 million existing roles. The report projects a net increase of 78 million jobs globally.
Chief Justice Zeija highlighted that the fastest growing jobs are expected to include software developers, project managers, nursing professionals, university lecturers, agricultural workers, and data-driven managerial roles.
At the same time, traditional clerical and administrative positions—such as cashiers, bank tellers, data entry clerks, executive secretaries, and customer care workers—are projected to decline sharply.
The courses from which students graduated include: 19 in Master’s in Public Procurement Management, 105 in Master’s in Business Administration, 9 in Master’s in Higher Education Management and Administration, and 5 in Master’s in Policy Development and Analysis, among others.
Discover more from tndNews, Uganda
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.