By Agnes Kiconco

KIU, MAIN CAMPUS- Angella Mbabazi a student of Law at Kampala International University (KIU) is thankful to the Almighty that she has passed all her papers with good grades ahead of the 25th graduation slated for 11th June 2022.

"This being the last semester in Law School, I took a breath of relief for it was at that moment that I saw myself getting out of the KIU gates as a victorious woman and one that had never gotten a retake in her entire campus times," said an excited Mbabazi.

Mbabazi also went on to say that she fell over the moon to see that her dream is coming true because way back in 2017 when she had just reported for Law School, she saw the completion bit to be so far and couldn't even imagine this day coming to pass.

"I am so happy, full of smiles and grateful to the Almighty God for the far he has brought me," she added.

Speaking to us, Mbabazi revealed that she has achieved both academic and social benefits from KIU.

She said academically, Kampala International University has made her realize her potential.

"I as well obtained knowledge be it legal, social, political and economic which in the long run has helped me deal with different kinds of situations that come my way and therefore gave me better ways of approaching life," narrated Mbabazi.

Noting further, she also pointed out that socially, KIU is full of good hospitality.

"Stretching back from the non-teaching staff, students, the teaching staff and administrators, almost every person at Kampala International University has got a high degree of hospitality. This made it very easy for me to engage with different kinds of people at the University hence enabling me to make lots of friends in all calibres," she expressed, adding that the many friends that she made at the University made her realize her potential by motivating her and complimenting her.

With the knowledge obtained from law school, Mbabazi intends to carry out public lectures so as to reach out to people in her society.

"This will majorly be centered on teaching people their rights as per the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda specifically chapter 4 of the constitution ie human rights as per Article 20, political rights, economic rights as per Article 40, family rights as per Article 31 and property rights as per Article 26 among others. These shall be looked at hand in hand with the Acts of Parliament," she said.

"We all know that ignorance of the law is no defence, therefore this shall enable the society members to have a sense of belonging, do away with the illiteracy or ignorance of the law thereby positioning them to fight for their own rights," she added.

Also sharing about developing a sustainable plan and upholding women emancipation, Mbabazi intends to make a sustainable plan that will help raise the positioning level of women.

"This can be seen through creating money projects such as Sacco's and women group businesses," she noted, adding that these will help women get their own money and be able to sustain themselves and their families. 

"Women are a group of people in society that plays fundamental roles in society such as raising a better Uganda given the fact that they are mothers of the nation. They as well need to enjoy their rights as stipulated in Article 33 of the 1995 constitution of the Republic of Uganda as amended," she added.

While at KIU, Mbabazi held different leadership positions namely;

(i) Class president for my LLB class (group 3) in particular for all the four years we spent in law school ie; 2017- 2021.

(ii) General Secretary Law Society of Kampala International University for the year 2018- 2019.

(iii) Member of Parliament for School of Law (MP SOL) for the year 2020- 2021 in the Guild Union government which is the top most student leadership body in the University.

(iv) Guild Speaker Kampala International University for the year 2020- 2021.

Mbabazi hopes to gain more experience in years to come if she hopefully pursues a Diploma in Legal Practice (LDC) in this coming August intake of 2022, a Master's Degree in Law (LLM), and a PhD in Law or Doctorate in Law (LLD) among other educational opportunities that will come her way God willing.

With the attained skills, an ambitious Mbabazi also hopes to serve her country. She hopes to play an ambassador role and promote patriotism.

"Intend to be a great ambassador of my country Uganda. Given the fact that am a proud patriot, I intend to help the government by convincing or luring the citizens to love their own country and put it first before self," she emphasized, noting that 'East-West, Home is the Best' hence people ought to defend and protect their country of origin.

As a young lawyer, Mbabazi also intends to be a human rights activist and one that believes in and fights for justice for all. "This will, in the long run, be a realization protection of the laws of Uganda hence promoting peace and development of our country Uganda," she added.

 Once a leader, always a leader!

As an aspiring politician, Mbabazi hopes to position herself so that she can be in a position to not only give ideas of development but rather be in the execution row. She noted that this will help in the realization of all the development structures that she believes can be made hence enabling the socio-economic and political development in the country.

Mbabazi congratulated all fellow graduands upon successfully achieving this milestone despite the COVID-19 crisis that was a huge bump in the road to victory.

Signing off with a message to all those that would like to join KIU, Mbabazi noted that KIU is the best place to be because it teaches and produces cream.

"This has been evidenced at LDC, where its students have showcased their potential and out-shone other students from other universities with first-class degrees," she concluded.