By Delux Emmy Alomu
MBALE CITY
Vice President, Major Retired Jessica Rose Alupo Epel, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree by the Islamic University in Uganda.
The distinguished Katakwi Woman Member of Parliament received the Honorary Doctor of Laws – Honoris Causa, during the university’s 34th graduation ceremony held in Mbale City on December 20, 2025.
This honorary degree is the university’s highest accolade, recognizing remarkable achievements that have significantly contributed to knowledge and societal advancement. The Islamic University in Uganda honors individuals of exemplary character whose contributions are both extraordinary and inspirational.
“This award is presented to H.E Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo Rose Epel in acknowledgment of her exceptional professional and academic journey spanning over 27 years, which includes her service as Vice President of the Republic of Uganda since June 2021,” stated Jamil Sserwanga, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, on behalf of the Chairman of the University Council.
A total of 2,484 graduates were recognized across various disciplines during the ceremony. This year, 432 postgraduate candidates received their degrees, including 5 PhDs, alongside 200 First Class honors and 673 Second Class Upper honors; there were also some receiving Second Class Lower honors. Notably, there was an increase in female graduates this year, with 50 women earning their degrees compared to their male counterparts.
Sserwanga highlighted that IUIU is built on the principles of academic excellence, moral integrity, and service to humanity.
“Today, we celebrate a leader whose life exemplifies these core values—a soldier and freedom fighter, a scholar, a stateswoman, and a relentless advocate for the empowerment of the African people,” Sserwanga remarked.
This is not the first time VP Alupo is being awarded with an honorary Doctorate, in 2015, she obtained an honorary doctorate degree in Science from Shenyang University-China.
Sserwanga further said VP Alupo’s research on the “Integration of East Africa” and the “plight of Refugee Women” is a precursor to IUIU’s commitment to addressing regional and global challenges through an intellectual inquiry -involving research, innovation and publication.
He added that VP Alupo’s journey of service in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, was characterized by distinction in military intelligence and training, proving that discipline is the foundation of success.
In the political arena, Sserwanga said the VP served as a Member of Parliament and a transformative minister of Education and Sports, whose leadership helped the education sector to participate in critical dialogues, representing the nation at the World Forum on Education and various UNESCO assemblies.
On Gender and Equity; the retired Major stands as an inspiration of hope for women across the continent. “Her rise from a teacher in Katakwi district to the second-highest office in the country, is the ultimate evidence to the power of education,” Sserwanga said.
He emphasized that at a graduation where 51percent of the graduates are female, VP’s presence and the award of an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Laws, (Honoris Causa) serve as a profound validation of IUIU’s mission to lead in gender equity and female academic excellence.
While representing President Yoweri Museveni, the VP said the Government is committed to continually support higher education since it creates the necessary human resources to take the country forward.
“We shall continue supporting research and innovations and building appropriate physical and ICT infrastructure to enable our young people to remain connected and relevant to the global market,” she said.
Alupo urged all the Ugandan youth to be committed to hard work as opposed to listening to diversionary criticism and ideologies from bad elements against the peace and advancement of this nation. She appealed to graduates to live responsibly. “Do not lead promiscuous lifestyles because HIV/AIDS still exists yet the nation needs you energetic and healthy. We cannot invest in you and we end up disappointed or in tears. Be responsible and have the zeal to better yourself for the good of us all,” she said.
The vice president commended the university Rector, Assoc. Prof. Ismail Simbwa Gyagenda and the Chairperson of the University Council H.E. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Abdulrazaq Sayyid Ebrahim A. Altabtabael, the head of the governing body and the entire team of leaders and lecturers for working hard to see to the accomplishment of the mission of educating our children at Islamic University In Uganda and inspiring them further in different disciplines over the years. You have contributed tremendously to the NRM mission of human capital development, she commended.
“Your dedication and unwavering morale to see to the coming true of the dream of the Islamic University in Uganda has thus brought it this far. The Faculty of Science and Technology that we are opening today is a testimony of growth of the institution not only in numbers of admissions but also diversifying the taught disciplines as opposed to the time of inception. I wish to encourage you that you are unlimited and you can stretch even beyond the borders of this nation only if you maintain this kind of consistency and focus,” she said.
The VP appreciated the commitment and teamwork exhibited by the entire Council, Management and all staff which has led to a stable environment free of strikes.
She urged them to maintain the spirit, guided by the spiritual values to enable growth in strength, saying that this will help nurture a generation of integrity and purpose that can propel this nation towards development.
“We are continuously advocating for a generation of responsible citizens free of corruption and other immoral tendencies that may produce setbacks in our transformation journey towards self-reliance and self-sustainability as a nation,” she said.
She encouraged the graduands to continue seeking knowledge because there is no end to learning stressing that the knowledge they have acquired is a sharpener to their trainability in all productive ventures according to their God given gifts and skills.
H.E Amb. Aftab Ahmed Khokher, the Assistant Secretary-General for Science and Technology of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation conveyed his appreciation and gratitude to the government of Uganda under the able leadership of president Museveni for the valuable support it continues to give to the OIC institutions and programs in general and to the IUIU in particular.
“The peaceful environment that prevails in Uganda, has made the university to flourish, and thrive, even after Covid-19 pandemic plus the current global socio-economic challenges,” Khokher said.
Prof. Gyagenda, the Rector said the university has registered unprecedented growth in the student body and academic excellence with total student enrollment soaring from approximately 8,000 to over 14, 457 students across its four campuses.
He noted that the academic portfolio has expanded significantly, with the university now running 96fully accredited programmes. He revealed that five new post graduate programmes were added in the 2024/2025 academic year, and 17 more are in the accreditation pipeline.
