Tumwesige Jay, the son of renowned Pan-Africanist and investigative journalist and Speaker, Pan-African Pyramid, Andrew Irumba Katusabe, has graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from Uganda Pentecostal University (UPU), Fort Portal City in Kabarole District. He was among the 448 students who graduated during the institution’s 21st graduation ceremony held on 13 December 2025.
Tumwesige completed his studies with First Class Honours and has expressed intentions to proceed to Law Development Centre (LDC) after successfully sitting the pre-entry examinations, marking the next step in his legal career.
Speaking moments after the ceremony, an emotional Andrew Irumba Katusabe who was in attendance, hailed the milestone as a huge achievement, not just for his family, but for young Ugandans dedicated to integrity and service.
As a pan-Africanist, this is a very humbling and proud day for me as a parent. Seeing my son graduate with First Class Honours is a reminder that discipline, faith and hard work still pay. I have always encouraged Jay to pursue justice, truth and service to humanity, and I believe the legal profession will give him a strong platform to do that,” Irumba said.
He added that the milestone reaffirmed the importance of education in shaping responsible leaders.
“As a country, we must continue to invest in education that builds character, courage and competence. Today, I am grateful to God, to the university, and to everyone who has supported Jay on this journey and his journey has just began” he noted.
Speaking moments after receiving his degree, Tumwesige expressed gratitude to his parents, lecturers and fellow students, describing the journey as demanding but fulfilling.
“This achievement is the result of sacrifice, guidance and constant encouragement from my parents, especially my father, who has always pushed me to stand for truth and justice. I am grateful to my lecturers and colleagues who made this journey meaningful,” he said.
He said his next focus is professional training and using the law to positively impact society.
“My immediate goal is to join the Law Development Centre. Beyond that, I hope to use the law as a tool to serve the public, defend the vulnerable and contribute to the rule of law in Uganda,” he added.
During the ceremony, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni called on universities and tertiary institutions to tailor their academic programmes to meet the demands of the private sector, arguing that this approach is key to tackling graduate unemployment in Uganda.
The President, who was represented by the Minister of State for Health (Primary Health Care), Hon. Margaret Muhanga, acknowledged progress made by the NRM government in improving education and public health, but noted that joblessness among young graduates remains a major concern.
“The remaining challenge is unemployment among young graduates. The solution to this problem lies in prioritizing the teaching of courses that are relevant to the private-sector job market. The private sector has very few jobs in relation to the size of the population,” Museveni said in his message.
He attributed the limited availability of jobs in the past to policies that stifled private enterprise, explaining that the NRM administration has since focused on creating a conducive environment for investment, with industrialisation at the centre of its economic strategy.
“When we import such items, we donate money and jobs to foreigners, leaving our own children unemployed. Establishing more industries in Uganda will create more jobs for our people and generate taxes for the government to fund development projects,” Museveni added.
The President further advised graduates to remain flexible and responsive to the fast-evolving global economy shaped by science and technology. He also cautioned them against harmful lifestyles, including excessive alcohol consumption and irresponsible spending habits.
Meanwhile, UPU Chancellor, Dr. Maggie Kigozi, urged graduates to actively seek employment opportunities and to value the jobs they secure, noting that unemployment levels in the country remain high.
“Please be very good at your job. What does it take to be good at your work? First, you must understand what is expected of you. Take time to find out your responsibilities. Secondly, assess whether you have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform your duties well,” Prof. Kigozi said while addressing the graduands.
She also encouraged graduates to explore entrepreneurship and long-term planning, pointing out that Uganda offers vast opportunities across several sectors.
“Plan for the future and consider starting a business. What business can you do? Uganda is the land of opportunities. There is agriculture, tourism, and opportunities in sectors such as ICT and education. Graduates today should think seriously about what businesses they can start,” she added.
Addressing guests at the graduation ceremony, Fort Portal Municipality MP Alex Ruhunda, who also attended the event, expressed gratitude and highlighted the university’s transformative impact on the community.
“I am deeply grateful. Where I come from is developing, and Uganda Pentecostal University is becoming a permanent landmark in this area. I have told residents to prepare for growth—hostels, businesses, and new opportunities—because investment is coming. I urge people not to rush into selling their land cheaply, because this university will greatly add value to the community. That is a fact. As a businessman and a researcher, I see this clearly,” Ruhunda said.
Ruhunda also urged families to place a strong priority on education, calling on both parents and children to play their part.
“I want to encourage parents to keep investing in the education of their children, even when it requires great sacrifice. At the same time, I urge students to value and respect those sacrifices, because many parents give up their very last penny in school fees to ensure their children get an education. Education is the greatest gift a parent can give,” he said.
