By Irene Best Nyapendi
Believe Niwagaba, the top graduate at Uganda Christian University (UCU) Bishop Barham University College (BBUC), initially faced the daunting prospect of being unable to pursue university education due to financial constraints. His journey began in 2020 amid the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Niwagaba looked for a scholarship in vain.
“I had lost all hope of joining the university,” he said. “I looked for scholarships, tried many seeking help and support from influential people, but nothing was positive in return.”
It was during this dark period that hope emerged, courtesy of his late cousin brother, Tukundane Hosea, a student leader at UCU Kabale Campus. Tukundane informed Niwagaba about how UCU offers a 50% tuition scholarship. Niwagaba applied and got the scholarship. In short, the student with “believe” as part of his name believed and acted. He joined UCU in February 2021, trailing behind most of his peers who had commenced their university journey in October 2020.
Of the UGX 796,925 (about $210), the scholarship covered UGX320,425 (about $85) as he committed to pay the remaining UGX476,500 (about $125).
Niwagaba’s family sold land and acquired loans to raise enough money to pay the other 50%. He also used some monies earned as Kanungu district youth chairman.
“I am grateful to the university for this aid; I wouldn’t have made it without it,” he said.
The scholarship not only opened doors for Niwagaba, but also created a conducive environment for his academic success.
With a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.78 out of 5.0, Niwagaba was the overall best student during the November 17, 2023, graduation in the south western district of Kabale. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with Education (English and Literature).
“This degree means a lot to me. It has been my desire to score a first-class degree, and I hope it will help me on my journey and dream of becoming a professor one day,” he said.
He is optimistic that his stellar performance will now make it easier for him to win more scholarships and opportunities to further his education.
His secret to success was simple yet profound – pouring his energy, body, heart and soul into his studies. His approach involved being fully present in each moment, whether it was academic pursuits or his engagement in campus politics, where he once contested for guild presidency.
To aspiring students, he guided that they should set personal standards and goals.
“Compete with the world, don’t compete with your classmates,” he said.
He called on the students to aim for extraordinary efforts, saying in today’s competitive world, ordinary actions yield ordinary results.
Niwagaba managed to balance his role as Kanungu district chairman at the same time excelling in academics, attributing it to strong determination. “Weekends became a hectic yet necessary time to address the needs of the youth in Kanungu,” he said of the challenges.
Niwagaba said participating in student leadership elections molded him into a public speaker and debater, while the weekly community worships instilled values of humility and faith.
“I am a complete person due to the molding of UCU,” he said. “The weekly community worship brought me closer to God, and I now understand that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
These experiences, combined with the incorporation of the New Competency Based Curriculum, have prepared Niwagaba for his teaching career.
“We were amply trained in the new curriculum and are now highly demanded by schools. We are considered references to other teachers because of our enriched knowledge from the new curriculum,” Niwagaba said.
At the age of 22, Niwagaba, the second born among four siblings, is not just an overall best graduate, but also a chairperson and teacher at Kabale Brainstorm High School.
Speaking at the ceremony of 610 graduates (198 female and 412 male), Vice-Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi urged the graduates not to be part of the country’s problems, but rather problem solvers.
“Uganda and the world need a new breed of young people like you. UCU has prepared you to be that kind of person who can cause the positive change that we all desire to see,” he said.
He also announced a comprehensive campus renewal initiative to further enhance the student experience and foster a vibrant campus environment. The initiative encompasses; landscaping all UCU, paving and remodeling walkways and roads as well as renewing campus infrastructure among others.
The BBUC chairperson Governing Council, Rev. Bishop Gaddie Akanjuna, reminded the graduates that a graduation ceremony “is not the peak of your academic journey, but rather a stepping stone to a vast world of opportunities ahead of you.” He charged the graduates to face the future with zeal, determination and resilience, ready to succeed.
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