Cavendish University Uganda Graduates Urged to Drive Africa's Economic Transformation

KAMPALA, UGANDA –Over 1,059 graduates from Cavendish University Uganda (CUU) have been urged to spearhead Africa’s economic transformation by actively seeking out and creating entrepreneurship opportunities.

The call was made by the Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Sanjay Tanna, during the university's 15th graduation ceremony held on Thursday, 20th August 2026, at the Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.

Harnessing Entrepreneurship for National Growth:

Speaking as the Chief Guest, Hon. Tanna challenged the Class of 2026 to add value to local products to effectively compete in both domestic and international markets. He noted that value addition is critical to generating job opportunities and driving national development.

"We have a moral duty to take Africa ahead," Hon. Tanna stated. "If you don’t get a job, add value to local products into the market. Go into agriculture processing; there are also opportunities in science and technology, cyber security, and others to earn millions."

The Minister further implored the graduates to embrace a spirit of patriotism and Pan-Africanism while anchoring their professional choices in honesty to achieve quality results.

Navigating a World Reshaped by AI:

The ceremony, which brought together a highly cosmopolitan cohort representing over 47 nationalities, was presided over by CUU Chancellor and former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

Dr. Jonathan commended President Yoweri Museveni for his continuous efforts in advancing Uganda's education sector. He congratulated the graduates on their hard work and financial resilience, urging them to make their qualifications meaningful in a fast-evolving global landscape.

"Make the qualification matter. Innovate, collaborate with integrity, [and use] competitive qualities to succeed in the changing world," Dr. Jonathan advised, highlighting the disruptive influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on modern industries.

Local Solutions for Global Impact:

Adding to the charge, Commencement Speaker Cosmas Kwikiriza deployed the imagery of a passport, a workshop, and a footprint. He challenged the graduates to utilize their academic qualifications to venture into new territories, deploy global solutions to tackle local challenges, and leave behind a legacy of impactful work.

The ceremony also celebrated outstanding academic excellence, with Vice-Chancellor Olivia Sabiti announcing Sadio Abdalahim from the ICT Department as the overall best student, scoring 4.481 points.

Special recognition was also accorded to notable graduates, including Pastor Juliet Nakamate Juuko pictured above —a presenter at MCF Radio Mutundwe and Director of Ono Juice Company—who graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism.

A Legacy of Innovation:

Established in 2008, Cavendish University Uganda is fully licensed and accredited by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). Running on the theme “Graduating Global Talent for Employment, Entrepreneurship and Impact,” the 15th graduation highlights CUU's role as a leading student-centric private institution recognized for its robust digital infrastructure and market-driven courses.