Uganda Management Institute (UMI) once again cemented its position as the region’s premier center for professional management, leadership and research development by commemoration of a colourful 23rd Graduation Ceremony where a total class of 4,249 (across all sessions) were awarded various qualifications.​The ceremony was a landmark event, highlighted by the historic promotion of UMI’s first-ever full professors and a bold strategic shift toward becoming a research-and-innovation-led institution.

Remarks by Director General Professor James Luyonga Nkata

​In a move that significantly boosts UMI’s academic standing, the director general announced the historic promotion of five distinguished scholars to the rank of full professor. The newly promoted professors, whose expertise will drive the institute’s research agenda include Professor Rose Namara of Research and Development Management, Professor Maria Karuhangire Barifaijo of Education, Professor Gerald Kagambirwe Karyeija of Public Administration and Management, Professor Proscovia Namubiru Ssentamu of Education amd Professor James Luyonga Nkata of Educational Leadership and Management. Director General Prof. James Nkata revealed that UMI has significantly strengthened its faculty, with 85% of staff now holding PhDs. To respond to emerging global trends, the institute has launched several new centers and academic programs:
New Centers of Excellence:

• ​The Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Management Studies.
• ​The Centre for Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Studies.
• ​The Management Business Incubation Centre.

​New Postgraduate Programmes (2026/2027):

• Cyber Security and Computer Forensics.
• ​Data Science and Business Analytics.
• ​Procurement and Supply Chain Management (Distance Learning).

Infrastructure Call: To support this rapid expansion, Prof. Nkata noted that the institute requires approximately Shs15.4 billion for infrastructure development across its Kampala, Mbale, and Mbarara campuses.
Certification: As UMI continues its commitment to ISO 9001 standards and moves toward competence-based education by 2027/2028, it remains a beacon of excellence for leaders determined to lead with integrity, innovation, and compassion.

​Summary of the message from the Chairman: Management as a Tool for Justice ​Hon. Justice Bart M. Katureebe (Retired Chief Justice)
Chairman of the UMI Governing Council, delivered a powerful charge to the graduates, emphasizing that technical skill must be secondary to moral integrity. “Management is not neutral. It is either a tool for justice or a shield for inefficiency. I reiterate: you must choose to be the former,” Katureebe stated. ​He highlighted that UMI’s Strategic Transformation Agenda is focused on aligning the curriculum with the specific needs of the Ugandan economy. He challenged graduates to bridge the “implementation gap” between well formulated policies and their actual delivery to ordinary Ugandans including the market vendor, the rural teacher, and the boda boda riders.

​Keynote address by Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija: Future-Proofing the Ugandan Workforce
​Presiding as Chief Guest, Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija addressed the urgent need for professional agility in the face of global shifts.

• ​The Reskilling Imperative: Citing the 2025 World Economic Forum report, Dr. Zeija noted that 59% of the global workforce will require reskilling by 2030. He warned graduates against remaining static, noting that automation is rapidly replacing traditional clerical and administrative roles.
• ​High-Demand Sectors: He urged graduates to pivot toward growth areas such as Cyber Security, Data Science, Project Management, and Software Development.
• ​The PhD Challenge: To the 11 PhD recipients, his message was clear: “Contributing to knowledge is the baseline, but publication is what distinguishes you. Prioritize research to solve national challenges.”

​Celebrating Resilience and Success
​Some of the graduants that were interviewed indicated that the 2026 graduating class is a testament to the power of adult education. Balancing work, family, and rigorous academics. They highly appreciated the professionalism of the lecturers plus the commitment, support and ethical leadership of UMI’s administrative team