Vienna College Namugongo celebrates academic excellence with Chris Kassami Memorial Economics Awards

Vienna College Namugongo on Tuesday 11^th August 2026, honoured the legacy of the late Chris Kassami Adyeeri, with the Chris Kassami Memorial Economics Awards, aimed at celebrating academic excellence and inspire young people to uphold the values of hard work, integrity and service that defined his career.

During the Chris Kassami Memorial awards students that obtained high grades were recognised by accolades and cash prizes of one million shillings each.

 Jassie Kassami a Director at Vienna College Namugongo, said that the memorial prize awards are meant to encourage excellence at Vienna College Namugongo while honouring the life and enduring legacy of the Late Mr. Chris Kassami a former Board Chair.

The event that attracted students, parents, school administrators and members of the Kassami family to honoured outstanding Economics students and reflected on the contribution of the former senior government economist to Uganda’s economic development.

Kassami, born July, 30, 1948 and died March 11, 2016, was Director and Chairman Board of Viena College while serving as Uganda’s Chief Government Economist and Secretary to the Treasury, and also as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

The Vienna College Namugongo Principal Muhammad Kakiika urged students to identify their career aspirations early, preferably while still in Senior Five, rather than waiting until they complete their final examinations, noting that some students already have a clear vision of what they want to become and are deliberately pursuing those ambitions, including seeking opportunities to study abroad.

He also called on parents to support their children’s career choices rather than imposing professions on them. The message was reinforced by one of the parents, who cautioned fellow parents against forcing children into careers they do not desire. The parent observed that a child passionate about Economics, for instance, should not be compelled to pursue Medicine simply because it is regarded as a prestigious profession.

According to Dr Muhamed Kakiika the students registered a high percentage mark in chemistry, followed by 42 entries in Business scoring 12 A stars. Mathematics had a record no of 145 candidates with an 82.1% pass rate. Biology, Economics with 81 entries. Physics 86.5% pass rate, and other Information, technology, Art and design students.