UCU Vice Chancellor Calls for Urgent Action on Boy Child Education Gap

Uganda Christian University (UCU) Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi has urged the university’s Chancellor, council, and stakeholders to treat the education of the boy child as a matter of national urgency, citing a widening gender disparity in higher education enrolment and performance.

Delivering his address at the university’s 27th graduation ceremony, Prof. Mushengyezi congratulated the 1,274 graduates while drawing attention to the growing imbalance.

“Out of the 1,274 students graduating, 698 are females, representing 55%, while 576 are males, representing 45%,” he said. “The girl child continues to dominate in the university’s affairs.”

Female students also excelled academically, claiming the lion’s share of first-class honours. Out of 102 students who attained First Class degrees, females accounted for the majority. The overall best student was Ms. Achen Dawn, who graduated with a Bachelor of Procurement and Logistics Management and an outstanding Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.91 out of 5.0. The best-performing male student was Mr. Kagoro Mavin, who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a CGPA of 4.85.

Mushengyezi’s remarks highlighted a broader national trend where female students continue to outpace their male counterparts in higher education, prompting calls for targeted interventions to support boys without diminishing gains made for girls.

In his closing remarks, the Vice Chancellor challenged the fresh graduates to embrace a broader definition of success beyond personal achievement.

“The true success isn’t measured solely by the height of your personal achievements,” he said. “Rather, success is defined by your dedicated service to others, your integrity, your leadership, and your faithfulness in everything you pursue.”

He encouraged the graduates to become “torchbearers” of these values as they transition into the world of work.

Among the graduates was Jimmy Siyasa, UCU’s Communications Officer, who was awarded a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication. Speaking on the significance of his qualification, Siyasa emphasised the critical role of professional communication training in today’s information-saturated world.

“In this age of infodemia, where there is more information coming out than can be processed at an individual level, and everyone is becoming a content creator, this professional certification positions me to inform and to be part of those who provide ethical and well-structured curation of information,” he said. “This helps target audiences, whether they are individuals or brands.”

Siyasa, an experienced journalist, noted that the qualification equips him to combat misinformation and contribute to credible information dissemination. On a national level, he described advanced communications expertise as a vital asset for Uganda.

“Every time someone attains certification in the area of communication, it becomes a national asset,” he observed. “These competent professionals are able to drive the agenda of selling our lovely country, Uganda, which needs all the PR it can get.”

He pointed to ongoing efforts to strengthen Uganda’s global image amid challenges such as selective international reporting and the amplification of negative narratives on social media.

The Bishop of Lango and Chairperson of the University Council, the Rt Rev Prof Alfred Olwa, described the graduation as more than the conferral of degrees.

“Graduation is much more than the conferral of degrees and diplomas,” Bishop Olwa said. “It is a celebration of countless hours of study, sacrifice, resilience, and determination.”

He urged the graduates to position themselves as solutions to Uganda’s challenges rather than part of the problems, carrying Christian values of integrity, faith, moral courage, and compassion into their professions.

Quoting Matthew 5:16, Bishop Olwa called on them to “let your light shine before others so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

The colourful ceremony, which saw graduates from various disciplines receive degrees and diplomas, underscored UCU’s continued commitment to academic excellence rooted in Christian values, even as it grapples with evolving societal and gender dynamics in education.