In a strategic overture that blends cultural diplomacy with academic ambition, Victoria University (VU) has pledged its support to the Busoga Kingdom’s education agenda.
The move, spearheaded by the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lawrence Muganga, signals a deepening of ties between one of Uganda’s most tech-forward institutions and one of its most culturally significant monarchies.
In a high-level meeting held at the Kyabazinga Palace in Igenge, Jinja District, the university delegation was received by His Majesty William Wilberforce Kadhumbula Gabula Nadiope IV. The engagement was framed not as a mere courtesy call but as a calculated alignment of educational vision with regional development priorities.
Prof. Muganga, widely known for his outspoken advocacy for transformative education, positioned VU as a partner capable of reshaping Busoga’s academic landscape.
“The Kingdom’s education dreams will remain aspirational unless tied to institutions with tangible, measurable impact,” he stated during the discussions.
Victoria University is not just offering degrees—it’s offering a shift in mindset.
Marketing and Student Recruitment Manager Conan Businge presented a modular, skills-based learning framework that visibly impressed the Kyabazinga.
Public Relations Manager Julius Bukyana went further, framing the partnership as a moment of validation. “Having Victoria University at the Royal table is a well-earned affirmation of our national impact. It’s a moment worth celebrating—and analyzing,” he remarked.
Dr. Shamim K. Matovu, Director of Cooperative Education, emphasized the university’s work-integrated learning model, describing how students gain practical experience under industry mentors.
“We’ve erased the chalk-and-talk learning culture and redefined what it means to be university-educated in Uganda,” she told the gathering.
The Kyabazinga lauded Victoria University’s fast-growing reputation and global outlook. “This institution is not just growing—it’s evolving in ways that align with our ambitions for Busoga,” the monarch said, suggesting that the relationship would not end at dialogue but evolve into actionable initiatives.
While on the surface this may read as a feel-good education story, it also hints at a deeper undercurrent: the growing competition among universities to build influence outside Kampala. Victoria University’s move into Busoga could be seen as both an academic outreach and a soft-power expansion—a model other institutions may soon emulate.
