Victoria University chancellor urges graduates to embrace technology and avoid debt

21 October 2026, 1:23 pm

By Annet Nakato

Victoria University Chancellor Prof. John Opuda-Asibo has urged university graduates to make wise financial decisions, trust in God and use their education to create opportunities in a world that increasingly relies on technology.

He made the call during the final graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026, held at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala. A total of 2,600 students graduated with qualifications in various fields.

Addressing the graduates, Opuda-Asibo said the world was changing rapidly and urged them to keep up with new developments, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). He encouraged them to combine the knowledge gained at university with modern technology to improve their chances of success.

He also reminded them to put God at the centre of their decisions and avoid taking on debts that could affect their future.

The chancellor further challenged the graduates to look beyond seeking employment and consider starting businesses that could create jobs for others.

He explained that practical skills alone were not enough to bring about meaningful change. In his view, graduates also needed a strong understanding of their respective fields to develop better solutions to the challenges facing society.

Opuda-Asibo said the university had prepared its students through practical learning, critical thinking and hands-on experience, which he described as essential tools for meeting the demands of the working world.

Victoria University Vice-Chancellor Dr Lawrence Muganga also congratulated the graduates, describing them as people ready to put their ideas into action.

Muganga said he had followed their progress throughout their studies and was pleased that many had started applying what they had learnt even before completing their university education.

He noted that the graduates belonged to the first cohort trained at the institution as an AI-driven university. He said their familiarity with artificial intelligence gave them an advantage, while reminding them to use the technology responsibly and ethically.

Some of the graduates, in turn, expressed gratitude to their parents and guardians for the sacrifices they had made to support their education.

They also thanked God for helping them reach graduation, noting that not everyone who began the educational journey with them had managed to complete it because of various challenges along the way.