Bridges, Voices, and Leadership: Catherine Andinda’s KIU Story

In January 2022, I began my journey at Kampala International University with two passions that seemed worlds apart: the precision of engineering and the freedom of poetry. My father always believed I would take his field further, and KIU gave me the platform to prove him right. On June 13, 2026, I will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a CGPA of 4.39—a journey that shows dreams can be balanced with passion.

Balancing academics with other activities was never easy, but resilience carried me through. Missing a first‑class degree by just 0.01 does not diminish my pride. Beyond academics, I found my voice in poetry, becoming the 2023 Champion Poetess in the interfaculty debate and public speech tournament. That gold medal remains one of my proudest treasures.

KIU has been more than a university; it has been a community that shaped my values. Through the O3 Plus Club, supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), I served as a peer educator and technical working team member, counselling students on mental health, sexual reproductive health, and gender‑based violence. I presented poetry at O3 Plus events, spoke at freshmen orientations, and joined national UNESCO functions. In 2023, I proudly joined the Anti‑Gender‑Based Violence Run held during the 16 Days of Activism, standing alongside others in the fight against GBV.

Leadership also defined my journey. I began as a class coordinator, then served as Female Member of Parliament for School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) in the 9th Guild Union. Later, I was appointed Minister of Education, Deputy Prime Minister, and Permanent Secretary for the Parliamentary Committee of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. In all these roles, I fought for fairness, efficiency, and integrity.

My extracurricular life was vibrant. I participated in cultural galas, performing traditional dances, poetry, and drama under the Banyankole Bakiga Students’ Association (BABASA). These activities gave me platforms to express myself and taught me how to lead even in challenging times. Some of my fondest memories are cultural galas and O3 Plus campaigns, which gave me courage and purpose.

I am grateful for the 40% bursary that eased my parents’ burden and allowed me to focus on growth. KIU’s diverse community taught me adaptability, and its lecturers inspired me with their passion and resilience. They taught as though their lives depended on it, and that seriousness shaped me profoundly.

My next chapter begins with the registration of my company, Cathie Towers Consultancy Limited, which will specialize in civil engineering solutions, project management, and consultancy services for sustainable infrastructure. Alongside this, I am writing my book, “The Unspoken Mental Breakdowns of Boy Children,” a project close to my heart.

To students still on the path, my encouragement is: always pray, be real, and never stop when you are tired—stop when you are done. “You can temporarily impress people by being fake, but you can permanently impact people by being real.”

I am deeply thankful to Disan Nankunda, Monica Twesiime (Associate Dean, Faculty of Business and Management), Haula Malikia (Deputy Dean of Student Affairs, Western Campus), Molly Robbinson, Jackline Namutebi, and the entire SEAS administration for their mentorship and support. Above all, I owe the deepest gratitude to my mother—surely, I could not have become the all‑round young woman I am today without her love, sacrifice, and belief in me.

By

Catherine Andinda - Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering