Outgoing Former Chancellor;

Representative of the Minister of Education;

Executive Director, NCHE;

Chairperson of the Board of Trustees;

Chairperson of Council and members of your Council;

Chairperson of our various Regulatory Bodies Present;

Vice Chancellors of other Universities present and their representatives;

Vice Chancellor together with your Executive Team;

Member of the KIU Convocation and members of your Executive present here;

The President of the Students Guild together with your leadership collective;

Leadership of Staff here present;

Academic and Support Staff of the University;

Alumni and Students;

Distinguished Guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

All protocol observed.

Good afternoon! Musiibye otya! Habari za mchana!

It is indeed a great honour and privilege to stand before you on this auspicious occasion. I was truly humbled and honoured when I was offered the Chancellorship of such a prestigious institution in Uganda.

The nurturing of young minds by institutions of higher education, regardless of their size, is an endeavour that has always been very dear to my heart. I am looking forward to taking on that glorious task with you during my time as Chancellor.

As an academic and fellow East African, I have always taken a keen interest in the latest developments in this University. I am pleased to note that Kampala International University has grown from strength to strength since it was founded in 2001 and that it now boasts a student poulation of over 25,000 students from 23 countries worldwide. Despite the challenges of establishing an international institution, you have gracefully embraced the undertaking and I look forward to contributing where possible in this regard.

I do not underestimate the responsibilities of this role. We live at a particularly challenging time for universities in Uganda and charting a successful path through the next few years is going to require the dedicated efforts of everyone involved in the institution – from the Senate to the Vice-Chancellor and members of the academic, technical and administrative staff, and the society at large.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my firm belief that an institution like Kampala International University needs to play a critical role in investing resources to find practical solutions for the problems facing our society. I also believe universities should take a leading role in nurturing mutually beneficial partnerships with other key stakeholders like the government and international organizations for the broader benefit of society as a whole. To my understanding, the University has been particularly exemplary in this regard, largely through the efforts of the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Alhaj Hassan Basajjabalaba. I am proud to be joining such an industrious and ambitious team and I hereby pledge my full support as we continue to take the University to even greater heights.

As a Tanzanian, it gives me great pleasure to be offered the Chancellorship by a Ugandan University because that is a testament to the excellent relations between our two nations. Indeed, Tanzania and Uganda enjoy warm, cordial and fraternal relations which go way back and as your Chancellor, I consider it my solemn duty to cultivate that relationship further, for our mutual benefit. Here is to many more years of advantageous regional cooperation between Tanzania and Uganda.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The world is changing rapidly and unsurprisingly, the new higher education landscape has put universities at the forefront of innovation and technology. I believe this is the space where the University should be focused, as emerging technologies like robotics and artificial intelligence continue to expand the global economy and revolutionize various sectors. Now more than ever, African institutions like Kampala International University need to stay relevant and up-to-date or risk being left behind. The potential of new technologies like blockchain and the artificial intelligence chatbot - ChatGPT is undeniably obvious and must therefore be examined further to determine the best way to apply them for socio-economic development.

As your Chancellor, I will make sure that the University keeps pace with the latest innovations in science and technology and to nurture young scientists who will make Africa proud. After all, the University’s mission is to strive for excellence and with hard work and consistency I believe we shall achieve our goals. And as the Luganda saying goes, ‘Akwata empola, atuuka wala,’ (He who takes things slowly with steady effort will go far).

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to end my speech by paying tribute to the outgoing Chancellor, Prof. Mahmood Mamdani, for the contributions he has made to this University. I can only imagine the sacrifices he made and I want to assure him along with the entire University community, stakeholders and partners of my commitment to the mission of this great institution. I look forward to a fruitful and productive working relationship with you all and I am deeply grateful for the warm welcome you have given me.

Neyanzizza (I am grateful),

Mweebale Nnyo (Thank you very much).

Thank you very much for your kind attention.