Education Thrives as 196 Students Receive BYU-Idaho and Ensign College Degrees or BYU-PathwayConnect Certificates in Uganda

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April 17 and 18, 2026 were historic days in Uganda as graduation ceremonies were held for the first time ever in the cities of Jinja and Kampala for 7 students receiving bachelor’s degrees, 28 students receiving associates degrees, and 161 students receiving BYU-PathwayConnect certificates.   Graduating with a bachelor’s degree represents a great deal of commitment to the educational process and personal sacrifice. 

Students first enroll in BYU-PathwayConnect and complete three core areas of focus,

PC 101 Life Skills – including goal setting and planning, time management, building resilience and self-reliance, and decision making

PC 102 Professional Skills – including communication skills, teamwork and leadership, problem solving, and workplace professionalism

PC 103 University Skills- including study skills and note-taking, research and writing, critical thinking, and digital literacy

When these 3 areas have been completed students are ready to move forward to a degree program with Ensign College or BYU-Idaho.

The first commencement ceremony was held in the city of Jinja which is located approximately 80 km east of Kampala on the shores of Lake Victoria.  There, at the Walukuba Stake Center, 80 students gathered with family and friends to celebrate those who had earned BYU-PathwayConnect certificates and degrees from BYU-Idaho or Ensign College.   President Charles Palaasi of the Jinja Uganda Stake presided over the ceremony which was also attended by Church and Government leaders, and leaders from the Busoga Kingdom.

The challenges facing the Ugandan graduates were reflected in the remarks given during the ceremony. 

The Honorable Paul Mwiru, a Member of Parliament said, “Education without good morals leads to unemployable graduates.”  He also said, “Education is the foundation for development; graduates should have discipline to avoid corruption.”

Speaking of employment difficulties in the local job market, Mr. Michael Kasede, Resident City Commissioner, encouraged the graduates to be job creators.

President Charles Paalasi assured graduates that their certificates are valid according to Uganda educational standards.  He also asked the Government to reduce taxes on internet service, to make it affordable for all Ugandans.

The following day in the capital city of Kampala, at the Kololo Stake Center, 116 additional students gathered with family and friends for their commencement program.  Elder Fredrick Kamya, Area Seventy for Uganda, presided over the meeting which was also attended by local church leaders.  In his remarks Elder Kamya reminded students, “We should embrace the hardships after school, God works in mysterious ways”. 

And Sister Grace Ninsiima, Africa Central Area Manager for BYU-Pathway told the students, “You entered to learn, and the time has come for you to go out and serve.  You, BYU-Pathway students, are a gift to your communities.”