Moses Waiswa is not just graduating from Uganda Christian University. He is making history. As the former Guild President of UCU Kampala Campus and a first-class law graduate, he joins a rare league of students who have excelled both in leadership and academics.
“I am not just graduating with a law degree. I am graduating with a first-class degree in law from Uganda Christian University,” Waiswa says with pride.
This accomplishment is especially significant because of how rare it is. According to the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, only two students had earned first-class law degrees at UCU since 2019.
Waiswa becomes the third, marking a moment of pride for the institution and a revival of academic excellence in a program known for its rigor.
Waiswa’s journey began in Jinja where he was raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly in Amber Court Market to support the family.
The last born in a family of six, Waiswa becomes the first to earn a university degree.
His education was supported by Compassion International, a sponsorship that, as he says, reflects his humble background and the distance he has traveled.
“Coming from such a background and achieving this is not something I take lightly. I worked hard to honour my mother’s sacrifices and the support of my sponsors,” he says.
Many student leaders struggle to balance leadership and academics.
In some cases, guild leaders fail to complete their studies. Waiswa refused to become one of them. Throughout his term, he maintained a sharp focus on both serving students and excelling in class.
“I always told myself I would walk out of the Guild office with a transcript. I served the students, but I also served myself,” he explains.
His secret was discipline and effective time management. He consistently submitted leadership reports, advocated for student issues, and worked closely with university leadership while maintaining excellent academic performance.
Beyond his own studies, Waiswa made it a mission to help fellow students succeed.
From his first semester, he initiated discussion groups that grew to over 200 students. He also recorded academic audio content that reached students at UCU’s main campus.
“I believe in teamwork. I knew that if I helped someone today, I had to prepare well. I could not afford to let them down,” he says.
Students he never met have thanked him for supporting their learning through his recorded discussions, a gesture that gave Waiswa even more motivation to study.
Waiswa credits much of his success to the environment at Uganda Christian University. He describes it as a place where character, discipline, and academic integrity are cultivated equally.
“If I had studied law from another university, I am sure I would not have achieved a first class. That is because UCU has created an environment where excellence is nurtured through values, mentorship, and accountability,” he says.
He applauds the university’s culture of mutual respect between students, staff, and support personnel, which he says creates a unique atmosphere of belonging and growth.
Waiswa is now setting his sights higher. He plans to pursue further studies and hopes to join institutions such as Cambridge, Oxford, or Harvard for a master’s degree.
In the immediate future, he plans to join the Law Development Centre to become a certified legal practitioner.
“I have always wanted to teach. If UCU asked me to begin teaching next week, I would be ready,” he says.
Waiswa believes that leadership is about prioritization, respect, and purpose.
He warns student leaders against abusing their positions or fighting institutions that have given them a platform.
“I never fought the university. I served with integrity. I loved the students, but I also loved myself enough to stay disciplined and focused,” he says.
He urges student leaders to embrace humility and remain mindful of their responsibilities, saying that success in leadership must go hand in hand with personal growth.
Asked to summarize his experience at UCU in one phrase, Waiswa replies, “At UCU, you become what you want, if you are determined to achieve it.”
From a market boy in Jinja to Guild President and first-class graduate in law, Waiswa Moses is proof that success is not handed down.
It is earned through persistence, purpose, and the right environment.
“I am proud of who I have become, and even prouder of where I started. This journey has not been easy, but it has been worth it.”
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