Back in 2013, Geoffrey Mutayomba enrolled at King Ceasor University to study law as a last resort after failing to attain requisite marks for admission at top universities in the country.

After four years at the institution, he graduated with a first-class degree. However, his achievement was welcomed with cynicism on grounds that King Ceasor University was a new entity that could not produce a well-rounded lawyer. Afterall, Makerere University, Uganda’s oldest university, has only produced just 14 first-class law degree holders in its history.   

Unbothered, Mutayomba turned the tables in 2019 when he emerged the overall best bar course student at the Law Development Centre, a feat that woke up stakeholders in the legal fraternity.  

From then on, everyone paid attention to King Ceasor University and Mutayomba’s testimony is just one of hundreds that have attracted attention to the Ggaba-based institution.  

In fact, the private university has over the years developed a niche of a cosmopolitan institution with a diversity of international students from Tanzania, Nigeria, Palestine, India, Rwanda, Malawi, Ethiopia and South Sudan, among others.

At its fourth graduation ceremony in which about 250 students graduated in various disciplines on April 25, Education minister Janet Museveni urged the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) to fast-track King Ceasor University’s ascension to charter status.

Her message, presented by higher education state minister John Chrysostom Muyingo, is premised on the university’s solid track record of producing competent professionals, especially in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

“From the outstanding results we have on record, I appeal to NHCE to fast-track the process of getting King Ceasor University a charter,” said Muyingo.

“This demonstrates that Uganda offers quality higher education, and this is what people are looking for. I wish to congratulate King Ceasor University for this global presence,” she said.

The minister praised the university’s efforts in training and preparing students, particularly the School of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, which produced 102 medicine graduates. On her part, Prof Mary Okwakol, the NCHE executive director, acknowledged that the process is ongoing to elevate King Ceasor University to charter status.

NEW ACCREDITED PROGRAMMES

Okwakol further revealed that NCHE had just approved eight new course programmes at the university after attaining satisfactory standards.

“I am pleased to inform you that after due consideration, council at its 75th meeting on April 19, 2024, accredited the academic and professional programmes indicated below for the specified admissible number of students and the stated accreditation period with effect from April 19, 2024,” reads part of the letter she wrote to the university management on April 23.

Among the eight programmes are bachelors of Science in Petroleum Geoscience, Nursing Sciences, Medicine and Surgery, Computer Forensics and Criminal Investigations as well as Laws.

THE GRADUATION

At the ceremony, Mrs Museveni praised the university’s efforts in training and preparing students, particularly the School of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, which produced 102 medicine graduates.

She emphasized the importance of research, innovation and publications in universities, saying, “Research and publications are unique features of universities that set them apart from other educational institutions. Any academic who does not carry out research to contribute to the body of knowledge is doomed.”

Meanwhile, deputy speaker Thomas Tayebwa, the university’s Board of Trustees chairman, commended the institution for its commitment to quality and relevance, highlighting the significant financial investment made and its positive impact on employment opportunities in the country.

“I want to commend King Ceasor University for its investment in education. I know that tens of millions of dollars have been invested here, and I want to acknowledge that this investment has created employment opportunities for many people,” Tayebwa said, adding: “Instead of investing in apartments in Kololo, where he owns a lot of land and property, which would have only employed a few people, King Ceasor Mulenga has chosen to invest in education, which will have a lasting impact on our country.”

On his part, the Chancellor King Ceasor Mulenga, emphasized the importance of hard work, dedication, and innovation, encouraging the graduates to make a positive impact in their communities and to never doubt the difference they can make in the lives of others.

“I want to encourage you all to never fear but God rather, to reverence and trust in him,” he said. “And as you go out into the world, I encourage you to be patient, kind, and compassionate. Be good citizens and make a positive impact in your communities.”

He challenged the graduates to think outside the box and strive to create their own innovative solutions to real-world problems. Mulenga also highlighted the significance of embracing technology and innovation, citing companies like Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia, Saudi Aramco, Google, and Amazon as examples of success stories.

“Why can’t we create our own Googles and Facebooks? Why can’t we innovate and make a difference in the world? We need to dig deeper into our brains and find out what we are capable of achieving,” he said.

WHAT CHARTER MEANS FOR KING CEASOR UNIVERSITY

A charter is granted to universities that have demonstrated high quality in staffing, teaching and learning, research output, technology and practical-led learning, infrastructural development, and good governance, among other issues.

For any institution to be accredited, the president and NCHE must be satisfied after a series of inspections and visitations. According to the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (2001), a charter is evidence that the university meets the requirements and standards of academic excellence.

So, attaining a charter will make King Ceasor University the 13th private university in the country to be chartered, out of 32 private universities in Uganda.

IMPACT OF CHARTER

As a result, King Ceasor University’s academic awards will thereafter be recognized by all universities and institutions around the world; in case one is securing a job or upgrading in academic studies. More so, King Ceasor University will attain the same privileges like the public universities in the country, other than the direct financial support to the institution.

A charter would also enable the institution to get special recognition and support in the areas of funding students’ education, especially through the students’ loan scheme, under the Higher Education Students Financing Board (HESFB).

By law, the charter will also allow King Ceasor University to begin awarding all degrees, including bachelors, masters, doctorates, and honorary degrees. Based on this, King Ceasor University has already laid the ground for the start of a doctoral college, with a plan to start PhD programmes in the next two years.

RIGOROUS PROCESS

According to the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (2001), a charter means “granted by the President under this Act as evidence that the University meets the requirements and standards of academic excellence set by the National Council.”

Dr Charity Mulenga, vice chancellor of King Ceasor University, assured the NCHE management of churning out graduates with the requisite skills for the labour market as well as abide by the conditions of the charter.

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