Summary:
- Bishop Rubaramira highlighted the university’s focus on agriculture as its niche, aiming to train individuals on efficiently utilizing limited land to maximize output.
KABALE: The Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, Bishop of Kabale Diocese, was officially installed as the inaugural Chancellor of St. Ignatius University (IGUKA) in Kabale District on Saturday.
During the ceremony, Bishop Rubaramira took an oath and committed to upholding the university’s vision, values, and objectives. He vowed to work tirelessly to achieve the university’s goals and promised to protect the aspirations of all students, warmly welcoming them to the institution.
Bishop Rubaramira emphasized that the establishment of the university continues a long tradition of service and reflects the Diocese’s commitment to societal transformation.
“As we embark on this journey, we focus on shaping the attitudes of our young people so they can embrace the responsibility of positively impacting society, both now and for generations to come,” he said.
He also expressed deep gratitude to the committees, especially the 2016 task force that recommended the university’s establishment and the steering committee that worked diligently to secure the provincial license.
Bishop Rubaramira highlighted the university’s focus on agriculture as its niche, aiming to train individuals on efficiently utilizing limited land to maximize output.
He added that the university would promote financial literacy, considering the cultural nuances of the people, to encourage a culture of hard work, effective resource utilization, frugality, and household savings and investment.
“Kigezi region has long faced population growth that has reduced land availability. Our culture of family land inheritance has led to land fragmentation and over-cultivation, resulting in the loss of fertility on the limited available land. With an average of 0.2 hectares per household, Kigezi has the lowest agricultural land acreage in the country, and much of the remaining land is found in lowland, waterlogged areas classified as swamps,” Bishop Rubaramira noted.
He further acknowledged the region’s rich tourism potential, mentioning its breathtaking landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, and the rich cultural heritage of its people.
“St. Ignatius University Kabale aims to train its students and the local population to appreciate and harness this tourism potential to improve their livelihoods. This explains our initial emphasis on courses in agriculture,” he added.
In the realm of education, the Diocese has established 376 Catholic-founded primary schools, 74 secondary schools, and six technical institutes across the six districts that make up the Kigezi sub-region.
Bishop Rubaramira noted that St. Ignatius University Kabale continues the Diocese’s long-standing commitment to societal transformation by focusing on shaping young people’s attitudes to positively impact society today and in the future.
Rev. Fr. Dr. John Vianney Sunday, the Vicar General of Kabale Diocese, echoed the Bishop’s sentiments, stating that St. Ignatius University would provide young people with practical professional preparation through a culture and moral education inspired by Catholic principles.
“St. Ignatius University Kabale is an academic community that rigorously and critically contributes to the protection and development of human dignity and cultural heritage through research, teaching, and services offered to local, national, and international communities,” he said.
Professor Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye, Chairperson of St. Ignatius University Council, emphasized that the university is the result of hard work and resilience despite international and national economic challenges.
He revealed that the university had developed a five-year strategic plan, charter, policies, and other essential documents.
“We will follow these plans and guides religiously. Our motto is INSPIRE, EMPOWER, TRANSFORM, and we will live by it. We envision our university as a key participant in the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0 – the Artificial Intelligence age) and preparing for the fifth industrial revolution (Industry 5.0 – Ethics and Humanity in AI) in the not-so-distant future,” Prof. Tumwesigye stated.
He added that the university is building networks with key players in the industry, technology, academia, and other areas of strategic importance while striving to remain relevant to the community.
Rev. Fr. Associate Prof. Maximiano Ngabirano, who was also installed as the University Vice Chancellor, highlighted the university’s commitment to strengthening its tourism program by utilizing diocesan properties in the tourism sector.
“IGUKA will have access to hands-on training sites in Western Uganda’s key tourist areas, and launching an IGUKA tour company will further equip our students with practical skills in the sector,” Prof. Ngabirano explained.
The Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, Maj. (Rtd) Jesca Alupo, represented by the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Tom Butime, pledged government support for the university’s establishment in areas of collaboration, partnerships, and funding.
“The Government of Uganda is dedicated to continuing support for higher learning institutions, both public and private, as their contributions are crucial to the national development of this country. In June, a team led by the Vice-Chancellor and the Chairperson of the governing council visited my office with a concept for collaboration. As promised, I will continue to support the university,” she affirmed.
She also urged the university to produce innovative graduates capable of driving technology, development, industrialization, and value addition.
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