From Mwalimu Johnpaul Arigumaho, Lecturer of Kiswahili, Bugema University and an advocate of African Unity through Kiswahili language
Wapendwa wahitimu, hongereni sana!
Today is your day of joy, reflection and new beginnings. As the Bugema University family celebrates your academic victory, I join you in heartfelt congratulations. You have endured sleepless nights, endless assignments, demanding exams and now, you stand proud as graduates of this great institution.
Your hard work, determination, and faith have brought you this far. But remember, graduation is not the end; it is a beautiful beginning of a lifelong journey of learning, creativity, and service.
🌿 Celebrating the Spirit of Bugema University
Founded in 1948 and chartered in 1997, Bugema University a faith-based institution under the Seventh-day Adventist Church—has remained a beacon of Excellence in Service. From its lush main campus in Luwero to its regional centres in Kampala, Arua and Mbale, Bugema continues to nurture holistic education rooted in character, integrity, and faith.
Under the dynamic leadership of our Vice-Chancellor, Dr Israel Masiko Kafeero, the university has made remarkable strides in advancing research, community service and technology-driven learning. Bugema equips its graduates to be job creators rather than job seekers, and its alumni continue to shape Uganda and beyond in diverse professions from business and agriculture to computing, public health, education and theology.
You, the Class of 2025, are part of this legacy an extraordinary generation positioned to influence the world with wisdom, professionalism and creativity.
Invest in Technology—The Current and Future Language of Innovation
Dear Graduands, we live in a rapidly changing digital era where technology defines progress, communication and opportunity. I urge you to invest in technology. Learn it, understand it and use it to innovate within your disciplines. It’s not only relevant to computer specialists, but we also can’t quit it even when you are an agriculturalist or what….we need it.
When I used to teach journalism students, I reminded them that the media world has changed forever. Today, TikTokers, influencers and digital storytellers—many with no formal qualifications occupy spaces once reserved for professional journalists. That reality should not discourage you; rather, let it challenge and inspire you to evolve.
The world no longer asks, “What degree do you have?” but “What can you do?” So, show what you can do that is unique, that reflects your learning, creativity and ethical grounding. Use your professional skills to bring value, accuracy and authenticity into the noisy digital landscape. The difference between an influencer and a professional is discipline, etiquette and credibility. Let those be your trademarks as Bugema graduates.
Whether you are a teacher, entrepreneur, computer scientist, nurse, or linguist, just embrace technology as your friend. It is not just about gadgets; it’s about using digital tools to create, connect and contribute to humanity.
Be Part of Africa’s Unity and Vision 2063
As you step into the world, remember that you are not just Ugandan graduates, you are African intellectuals with a continental mission. One of the dreams of Africa’s Agenda 2063 is the creation of a United States of Africa, bound by shared values, economic collaboration and a common identity.
Language is the heartbeat of unity—and for Africa, that language is Kiswahili. It is our bridge of understanding, a symbol of solidarity and a tool for communication across borders. We are continually advocating for Kiswahili to serve as Africa’s language of unity and empowerment.
And now, it is you the educated sons and daughters of Africa who must drive this dream forward. Use your voices, your skills, and your influence to build peace, cooperation, and pride in being African. Wherever you go, let people see the spirit of umoja (unity) shining through you.
✨ Words of Guidance as You Move Forward
1. Keep Learning — because the world keeps changing.
Graduation does not mean you have finished learning; it simply means you are now responsible for your own growth. In Uganda and Africa at large, job opportunities are scarce, and the competition is intense. Employers today no longer look at your degree alone, they look for skills, creativity and adaptability.
Keep learning new things: attend short courses, explore online platforms like Coursera, Google Digital Skills, or even free YouTube tutorials. Learn coding, data literacy, digital marketing, or translation if you’re a language scholar. Every new skill you gain increases your relevance in a job market that is changing faster than ever.
In today’s economy, knowledge expires quickly. What you learned in university might not be enough five years from now, so stay curious, stay current and keep sharpening your tools.
2. Value Relationships — because success is built through people.
In Uganda and across Africa, one reality cannot be ignored: sometimes, who you know opens doors before what you know does. That doesn’t mean corruption or favoritism should guide you, but it does remind you of the power of networking and positive relationships.
Your classmates today could be managers, media editors, policymakers, or business owners tomorrow. Keep those contacts close. Treat people with respect. Build professional networks on platforms like LinkedIn. Engage in community projects and mentorship programs.
Many graduates fail not because they lack talent, but because they isolate themselves. In Africa’s communal culture, progress comes through connection. So—collaborate, don’t compete destructively. Support others and when your time comes, they will remember you.
3. Serve with Integrity — because corruption kills nations.
Integrity is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Across Africa, we face corruption, dishonesty and shortcuts that destroy trust in our systems. As a Bugema University graduate, you are expected to be different.
In your workplace, in your business, in your leadership—choose honesty even when it’s hard.
Don’t falsify documents, don’t demand bribes, don’t engage in unethical shortcuts. Remember that one honest person in a corrupt system can be the seed of transformation.
Bugema University stands for Excellence in Service, rooted in Christian values. Let that be your compass. The world is full of talented people—but only a few have integrity. And it’s those few who last longest.
4. 💪 Be Resilient — because the path ahead is not smooth
Graduation is a proud moment but let me remind you: life beyond the university walls is rarely easy. Jobs are not guaranteed, opportunities can be scarce and challenges may come one after another. Many graduates in Uganda start small—volunteering, taking temporary work, or running informal businesses—before they find their footing. Some face rejection repeatedly and others feel that the world is against them. But you must never lose heart.
Success in Africa is rarely instant. It is built step by step—with patience, faith and resilience. You may start from nothing, but if you keep your focus and endure, you will rise.
Allow me to speak from my own life, so you know that struggle does not mean the end—it can be the beginning of something greater.
I am Johnpaul Arigumaho, a son of Katushabe Beatrice, a devoted catechist of the Catholic Church. My mother raised three sons alone after our father passed away in 2003. Life was harsh. Food was scarce, clothes were nowhere and our survival depended on the unwavering courage of a woman who refused to give up. She worked tirelessly doing casual labor, digging, selling yellow bananas at a known yellow banana place called Igorora, just a few kilometers after Mbarara on the road to Ibanda, just to ensure that we went to school.
We attended cheap government schools, yet my mother never allowed the hardship to become a reason for giving up. She would tell us every day: “God will pay for your school fees, just pray.” Even in those moments when it seemed impossible, her faith kept our family moving forward.
Life wasn’t straightforward. We followed one another in school: one of us in S1, another in S2, the last in S3, each stepping into the other’s shadow. At one point, our eldest brother considered stepping aside, thinking the burden was too much for our mother. But she encouraged us, saying that education was our pathway out of hardship.
This foundation of resilience carried me through my secondary school at Kagongo SS Ibanda and Nyabuhikye SS, where life was still challenging and uncertain. When I joined Bishop Stuart University for my undergraduate degree, it felt like a continuation of that “tag of war.” Every lecture, every exam was another hill to climb, but I kept going. Sometimes, delaying to clear tuition and you find exams already started, all that struggle…………..
Later, pursuing my Masters at Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), Mbale, COVID-19 hit. I had secured a teaching job earning UGX 200,000 but schools closed suddenly. Whenever I would hear “therefore” from His excellency the president, immediately my heart would start panicking well knowing another 21 days on our way, hoo!! For many, this could have been the end of the dream. But I decided to fight. I started a small chapati stall and eventually bought an old motorcycle. I rode boda boda to earn extra income to pay tuition, working long hours, facing every hardship head-on.
Through all of this, I kept faith and pushed forward. I completed my Masters with highest credit in my class of 2023, and today, I stand proudly as a Lecturer of Kiswahili at Bugema University—a testament to perseverance, faith and hard work.
If my story teaches you anything, it is this: life will challenge you, but resilience transforms struggle into success. Our continent is full of talented young people who give up too early because they expect things to happen quickly. But the truth is, greatness takes time, courage and consistent effort.
So when doors close, don’t give up—build your own doors. When life pushes you down, push back harder. Every hardship, every obstacle, every late night spent working instead of resting, every tear and doubt—these are the bricks of your bridge to your dreams.
Remember always:
“Daraja la ndoto zako limejengwa kwa mateso, uvumilivu na matumaini.”
(The bridge to your dreams is built through struggle, endurance, and hope.)
Graduates, take this to heart. Your story is still being written and you have the pen. Write it with courage, perseverance and faith, and let your success inspire others
5. Dream Bigger — because Africa needs bold thinkers.
The Africa we want peaceful, united and prosperous—will not be built by foreign aid or imported ideas. It will be built by Africans who dare to dream beyond borders.
Dream beyond survival. Don’t just look for a job create opportunities. If you studied agriculture, think agribusiness. If you studied ICT, think innovation. If you studied Kiswahili or education, think content creation, translation services, or edtech.
Use technology to express your potential. The digital space has democratized success; anyone with vision, creativity and consistency can make an impact. Ugandans and Africans are now building apps, writing global blogs, creating YouTube learning channels and selling products online.
Don’t wait for permission to shine innovate your way forward. Let your dream benefit your community and your continent.
Final Thought
Africa doesn’t lack talent; it lacks vision-driven people who believe in themselves and work together. You are now part of the educated generation responsible for shaping our continent’s future technologically, economically and culturally.
As we say in Kiswahili:
“Mwanzo ni nusu ya safari.” – The beginning is half the journey.
Graduation is just your beginning—now finish your journey with courage, wisdom, and action.
Jifunze Kiswahili na mwalimu Johnpaul Arigumaho 