By Barbara Nansiimbi
The Vice President Jessica Alupo has described the first graduation ceremony of Soroti University as a historic milestone for both the institution and the country calling on graduates to play an active role in Uganda’s development through innovation, discipline, and service.
Speaking on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni at the university’s maiden graduation ceremony, Alupo also warned fresh graduates against reckless lifestyles saying such acts can predispose them to many diseases and health complications.
“You should avoid drunkenness, smoking and sexual promiscuity because you risk being predisposed to many diseases and complications,” Alupo said.
She encouraged the graduands to stay healthy in order to make a meaningful contribution to the prosperity of their families and country.
A total of 118 students graduated with degrees and diplomas in various academic disciplines including Medicine and Surgery, Nursing Sciences, Engineering in Electronics and Computer Engineering.
The event was marked by the commissioning of the Sh14.6b Anatomy building by the vice president and Woman MP for Katakwi district.
The facility, a significant addition to the university’s infrastructure will provide students with hands-on training and practical experience in human anatomy, enhancing the university’s capacity to offer high-quality medical education and research.
The building was completed by the UPDF Engineering Brigade after the site was abandoned by the original contractor, RUP Engineering Ltd. It had stalled for over five years.
Soroti University was established by the Government of Uganda in 2015 as the first Public University in Teso Sub region. Its establishment was approved by Parliament and gazetted on July 16 2015.
It trains human resource in Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, Engineering and Science Teacher Education among other academic disciplines.
She congratulated the first cohort of students, upon the successful completion of their studies, at this great institution of learning.
“You hold a special place in the University’s history, as the pioneering students and graduands. I commend you for surmounting the various challenges and distractions, that you encountered during the course of your studies,” she said.
He reminded the graduands that the country is waiting for their contribution, in the respective fields, where they have ably qualified and thanked the parents and guardians for their unwavering support to the children.
Alupo appreciated the University management led by Prof. J.R Ikoja Odongo and staff for their patriotic contribution to the human resources development in Uganda.
She further noted that for them in the NRM, they consider education as the primer for development—like the needle in a gun that activates the bullet to go forward.
“This is why the NRM continues to prioritize investment in the education sector, with great focus on science and technology-related fields. I am happy to observe that the curriculum of Soroti University is aligned with the NRM’s goal of promoting science and innovation,” she said.
The vice president said the development of science and technology causes changes in society. “Scientific inventions have always equipped human beings with greater capacity to establish control over nature. This has helped to advance the survival and prosperity of communities,” she said.
Museveni said Uganda is not an exception as the country still needs more engineers, doctors, nurses, science teachers.
He added that Uganda’s natural resources cannot exploit themselves; gold cannot mine itself out of the ground; electricity cannot harness itself from the river and come walking to your house.
“Somebody must harness that electricity. It is important to note that the global arena has been changing rapidly,” she noted.
He urged Africans not to be spectators to world changes.
“Europe, America and Asia have entered into the age of the 4th Industrial Revolution ─ the use of intelligent machines. Where is Africa’s contribution?” she said.
The President therefore, appealed to the parents and teachers to guide the children to select careers in science and technology.
She however advised students that have graduated in the humanities, to re-orient themselves towards acquiring practical skills and competences that are required in the job market.
University Chancellor Prof. Francis Omaswa conveyed heartfelt gratitude to president Museveni for his vision and tireless support to Soroti University.
“Through your leadership, government has continued to support the university infrastructural development, facilitated teaching and learning, research and payment of staff salaries and wages and sponsoring the majority of enrolled students.
He further expressed gratitude to government for the additional wage of Sh13.881b which was allocated to the university this financial year 2024/2025.
Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ikoja appealed to government to increase the university wage bill from the current Sh24.649 to Sh30.649b to cater for more staff recruitment due to new academic programmes coming on board in the next academic year 2026/27.
