By Christine Mirembe
When his name was read, the congregation applauded, and his parents cheered. The name Timothy Kirabo had just gone off the speakers at the graduation grounds at Uganda Christian University not just as the best male student but also the overall best student, with a Grade Point Average of 4.96 out of 5.0.
This was at the first part of UCU’s 26th graduation ceremony held at the university’s main campus in Mukono. The date was July 4, 2025.
To Kirabo, a fresh graduate of Bachelor of Procurement and Logistics Management, that moment served both as a celebration of his accomplishment and a quick reminder of the responsibility that lay ahead of him as the first born of six siblings. At least he had achieved one feat – setting an example for his siblings to follow while at school.
“Looking back at the journey that led to this moment, I am grateful for the challenges, the lessons, and the memories,” Kirabo said during an interview he granted Partners in July. “From late-night study sessions to triumphs and setbacks, it was a rollercoaster ride. But in the end, it was all worth it.”
The class leader in UCU’s School of Business shared his learning about “ethical thinking and professionalism, how to handle stress, problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and communication skills, as well as integrating faith in leadership.”
Through his warm and approachable nature, Kirabo formed strong bonds with many people, including his friend, Sanyu Bridget Kiwala, who he says always stood with him in prayer.
Coming from a humble background, finances had always been the hurdle between Kirabo and his academics. Not long after completing his primary education in 2014 at Mwebaza Primary School, the financial circumstances of Kirabo’s family deteriorated while he was in Senior Two at Wampeewo Ntake Secondary School in Gayaza, near Kampala.
Despite the challenge, Kirabo completed his Senior Four in 2018. However, by that time, he owed the school more than sh2million (about $560) in tuition fees.
“It was by the grace of God and the hard work of my mom that I was able to write my Senior Four national exams,” he recounts.
For A’level, he attended St. Mary’s High School Gayaza, a Catholic-founded school that he says shaped his spiritual life. Here, he cultivated a deep relationship with God and learned the value of perseverance and the importance of a relationship with the Almighty.
Timothy Kirabo receives his best student award during the commissioning service in Nkoyoyo Hall on July 3.
After Kirabo graduated from high school in 2020, his father, Isaac Mwesigwa, suffered a stroke. This challenge joined the list of the health complications he already had, such as diabetes and hypertension.
As a result, Kirabo’s mother took over as the primary provider, using the money she earns from her volunteer work at different churches.
“My mother is a strong woman of faith; even amid our financial struggles, her courage and determination inspire me deeply,” Kirabo noted. “They raised me as a person of prayer, humility and one who always puts God first. They taught me never to give up, that even when life is hard, I should not lose faith. My mother often reminded me that God is never too late.”.
When Kirabo first enrolled at UCU in 2022, he intended to pursue a Bachelor of Economics and Statistics. However, because few students had applied for the course, it was decommissioned for that intake. Kirabo was instead assigned Bachelor of Procurement and Logistics Management, which was his second choice on the university application form.
By the end of his first semester, Godfrey Afkar, one of his classmates, had attained a GPA of 5.0 out of 5.0, something that inspired Kirabo to work hard.
He frequented the Hamu Mukasa Library and, soon, came up with a learning strategy that worked best for him. On a daily basis, he made it a point to read through what he had been taught that day, something that not only helped him, but also those that sought academic guidance from him. Upon realising Kirabo’s academic potential and noticing that his family was struggling to meet his tuition requirement, the university recommended him for a scholarship from Uganda Partners.
At the start of third year, Veronica Masinde, the executive assistant in the Office of the UCU Vice Chancellor, contacted Kirabo, to let him know that he had been offered a one-year scholarship from Uganda Partners. The scholarship covered Kirabo’s tuition, until he graduated on July 4.
To the students still walking the corridors of UCU, Kirabo has this counsel: “Never underestimate what you can achieve; stay focused, grounded, and, above all, stay true to your purpose and trust the Lord. Education is not just about books; it’s about character, service, and vision.”
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