In a vibrant ceremony filled with energy and a deep sense of purpose, the Aga Khan University (AKU) in Uganda today marked a historic milestone: its first-ever Convocation held on the newly inaugurated Kampala campus in Nakawa. This celebration represents the tangible fulfilment of a vision to create a centre of excellence that empowers Ugandans to lead change within their own communities.
The ceremony honoured 108 graduates – nurses, teachers, media professionals, and physicians – just months after the campus was officially inaugurated in September 2025 by AKU Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan, and His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni.
In a message to the graduates, AKU’s Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan, emphasized the impact of their achievement, noting that the University and its alumni carry “both an extraordinary responsibility and an extraordinary opportunity: to create, to disseminate, and to apply knowledge in ways that improve the quality of human life.”
Presiding over the ceremony was Princess Zahra Aga Khan who was recently installed as AKU Pro-Chancellor on January 17, 2026. In this role, she provides strategic guidance to the University, ensuring its programmes and research continue to serve as a catalyst for social development and excellence across all its campuses.
AKU Vice Chancellor, Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Uganda and President Museveni for their essential role in the development of the campus, noting that such partnerships turn “ripples of change into waves of progress”.
“When I look at the Class of 2025, I see individuals who are ready to meet the challenges Uganda faces: ethically grounded and prepared to lead with humility and care,” said Dr Shahabuddin. “Uganda’s future will be shaped not only by policies and capital, but by professionals who serve with integrity and competence.”
The new campus is more than an academic site; it is a promise of long-term impact for Uganda's health care and education sectors. In September, the University admitted its first cohort of undergraduate nursing students to the Bachelor of Nursing Science-Direct Entry programme specifically designed to meet the demands of a modern, dynamic health care environment. Looking ahead, the University will soon expand its offerings in journalism, communications, education and medicine.
With construction currently underway for the Aga Khan University Hospital, Kampala – set to open in 2028 – the University is establishing a teaching site that will provide international-quality care close to home. The University continues to reach new heights of excellence, with more than $100 million secured in research funding last year alone and 27 members being ranked among the top 2% of scientists globally.
“Graduating from AKU Uganda is a dream come true,” said Valedictorian Sarah Naluyima who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery. “The mentorship, practical experience, and values we have gained here have prepared us to serve our communities with skill, compassion, and integrity,”
