As Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) marks its 36th year of existence, the university is not just celebrating its past but is actively building a future aimed at the heart of Uganda’s national transformation. In a powerful address during the recent 32nd graduation ceremony, Vice-Chancellor Professor Pauline Byakika-Kibwika outlined a story of profound growth, from a single faculty to a multi-campus powerhouse, and laid bare an ambitious vision for the coming years.
This 36-year journey of success builds upon a strong and continuous foundation of leadership. The current expansion under Professor Pauline Byakika-Kibwika is part of a legacy established by her predecessors. From the foundational vision of the first Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Frederick Kayanja, to the subsequent leadership of figures like Prof. Celestino Obua, each administration has tirelessly contributed to MUST’s steady climb. It is this history of dedicated leadership that has transformed the university from its humble beginnings into the national powerhouse it is today, enabling it to aim for an even bolder future.
The university’s esteemed ceremonial leadership has also seen a significant and celebrated transition. This 36th-year milestone coincides with the installation of the university’s fifth Chancellor, Professor Jack Pen Mogi Nyeko, who presided over the graduation ceremony. His installation marks a new chapter, taking over the mantle from Prof. Charles Mark Lwanga Olweny, who served with distinction since 2017. This passing of stewardship from one revered academic leader to the next underscores the stability and continuity that have guided MUST, ensuring its values and vision are upheld at the highest level.
The celebration is a testament to a journey that has seen MUST evolve from one faculty into six faculties, two campuses, and a cutting-edge Research Institute. This growth was tangibly represented by the new Faculty of Computing and Informatics building, a government-supported project providing space for 1,000 students and 600 computers, directly enhancing the student learning environment.
A Culture of Excellence and Innovation
The university’s focus on quality is evident in its student outcomes. The Faculty of Science produces top-tier science teachers with a 100% employment rate. The Faculty of Applied Science and Technology (FAST) saw its students win the Society of Petroleum Engineers PETROBOWL Africa competition, and the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences ensures its graduates are “ready to be absorbed” by industry with exemptions for ACCA and CPAU.
This commitment to quality is being formalized through the new Competence-Based Education (CBE) Framework, which has already seen 75% of academic staff trained in its pedagogy.
But the university’s guiding philosophy goes beyond academics. “In addition to ‘publish or perish’ we say ‘innovate or perish’,” Prof. Byakika-Kibwika stated. This culture is producing remarkable results:
- National Champions: For the third time, MUST innovators won the 2025 National AYuTe Africa Challenge. Student Aaron Etyang won the grand prize for his “Grain Guard Monitor” to reduce post-harvest losses, while alumnus Frank Magyezi was the 1st runner-up for his “Afri-Milk Check Kit.”
- Global Health Impact: Researchers published a landmark study in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrating that permethrin-treated wraps (lesu) significantly reduce malaria in infants.
In-House Technology: The university has developed and rolled out its own Students Academic Information Management system (SIMS), saving the institution significant funds.
The Next Frontier: Health and Agriculture
The 36th anniversary serves as a launchpad for two transformative, nation-building projects.
- A State-of-the-Art College of Health Sciences: The flagship Faculty of Medicine is transitioning into a full College of Health Sciences. The government has allocated an initial 31 billion UGX for its new home, but the VC made a passionate appeal for continued support to realize the full 180 billion UGX project, positioning MUST as the best medical training hub in the region.
- A New Faculty of Agriculture: Strategically placed in the “land of milk and honey,” MUST is establishing a Faculty of Agriculture, Environment and Veterinary Sciences. This move, supported by a new partnership with the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) to create a National Dairy Centre of Excellence, directly supports Uganda’s development goals.
A Foundation of Gratitude and a Call for Support
The Vice-Chancellor extended profound gratitude to the government, particularly His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the First Lady and Minister of Education, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, for their “steadfast support.”
As MUST celebrates 36 years of transforming Uganda’s society, its vision is clear. To power this next phase of innovation and infrastructure, Professor Pauline Byakika-Kibwika made a final, crucial request: to increase the university’s research and innovation fund from the current 1 billion UGX to 20 billion UGX, an investment that will undoubtedly fuel the next 36 years of success.
SUCCESSED WE MUST
