Kampala: In a significant event marking a historic achievement, the Aga Khan University (AKU) celebrated its inaugural Convocation at the newly opened Kampala campus in Nakawa. This milestone signifies the realization of a vision aimed at fostering a center of excellence to empower Ugandans in leading transformative changes within their communities.
According to the Aga Khan University, the ceremony honored 108 graduates, including nurses, teachers, media professionals, and physicians. This event comes just months after the campus was officially opened in September 2025 by AKU Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan, alongside President Yoweri Museveni.
In a message to the graduates, His Highness the Aga Khan highlighted the dual responsibility and opportunity that the University and its alumni possess to create, disseminate, and apply knowledge to enhance human life quality.
Princess Zahra Aga Khan, who was recently appointed as AKU Pro-Chancellor on January 17, 2026, presided over the ceremony. In her role, she provides strategic direction to the University, ensuring its programs and research act as catalysts for social development and excellence across all campuses.
AKU Vice Chancellor, Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin, expressed appreciation to the Government of Uganda and President Museveni for their crucial role in the campus’s development, emphasizing that such collaborations transform “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,” Dr. Shahabuddin remarked. “Uganda’s future will be shaped not only by policies and capital, but by professionals who serve with integrity and competence.”
The new campus promises a long-term impact on Uganda’s healthcare and education sectors. The University admitted its first cohort of undergraduate nursing students to the Bachelor of Nursing Science-Direct Entry program in September, tailored to meet the needs of a modern healthcare environment. Plans are underway to expand offerings in journalism, communications, education, and medicine.
Construction is currently underway for the Aga Khan University Hospital, Kampala, slated to open in 2028, establishing a teaching site that will offer international-quality care locally. The University has secured over $100 million in research funding last year, with 27 members ranked among the top 2% of scientists globally.
“Graduating from AKU Uganda is a dream come true,” said Valedictorian Sarah Naluyima, a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery graduate. “The mentorship, practical experience, and values we have gained here have prepared us to serve our communities with skill, compassion, and integrity.”