Uganda’s opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine completed his Bachelor of Laws journey a er seven years, graduating among 706 others on August 8, 2024 at Cavendish University in Uganda.

The National Unity Platform (NUP) party leader who earned a Bachelor’s degree in Law. Kyagulanyi noted that it took him eight years to complete his degree due to various challenges he faced along the way.

Before physically joining the convocation, the 2021 presidential contender alleged that undisclosed “detractors and government attempted to stop his graduation” through the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).”

But information minister and chief guest at the graduation ceremony Dr Chris Baryomunsi said: “I take the opportunity to congratulate him. Maybe a er his LDC, we shall consider him in the Attorney General’s office.”

Commencement speaker at the occasion, Justice Monica Kalyegira Mugenyi challenged the class of 2024, i n c l u d i n g B o b i W i n e , o n t h e ” e s s e n c e o f transformational leadership.”

“The civic space is in dire need of men and women that will purpose not to take from their countries but to give back to them; not to misdirect their gullible communities but to conscientiously guide them; not to rob or impoverish the people in whose name they serve but to provide them with inspirational leadership, not to be drawn to myopia but to build upon our forefathers probity,” she explained.

“The civic space is in dire need of men and women that will purpose not to take from their countries but to give back to them; not to misdirect their gullible communities but to conscientiously guide them; not to rob or impoverish the people in whose name they serve but to provide them with inspirational leadership, not to be drawn to myopia but to build upon our forefathers probity,” she explained.

Despite featuring amongst Thursday’s 41 law graduates of 2024, Bobi Wine admitted he should have graduated with the class of 2023.

“…because I had missed a few lectures in one of the course units, I wasn’t allowed to graduate (in 2023)] but instead subjected to another semester of re- attendance for that course unit,” he said

From the Ghetto to the Law Degree

Speaking afterr the graduation ceremony, Bobi Wine said in August 2016, a er much procrastination, he attended his first lecture in Law School at the International University of East Africa.

Seven years later, he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Cavendish University.

“I couldn’t have made it without the assistance and encouragement from my friends and family, and there is no better time to salute them than now. Dear Sylver Kyagulanyi, we discussed this idea of going to law school as far back as 20 years ago while still at the MDD department at Makerere. You continued to encourage me through word and action, even when I dragged my feet for a few years. You led by example and did it. Today I have also done it!”

Bobi Wine thanked Don Najja Sharif, his Personal Assistant, for the assistance throughout all his years in law school and NUP Secretary General, David Lewis

“Dear Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi (his wife), I am sure I wouldn’t have completed this course without your, sometimes inconveniencing push. So many times I felt like giving up but you would never allow me to leave the mission incomplete. Only you know how many times I came close to giving up. Thank you for always keeping me encouraged and nourished. Now I know that with your encouragement, nothing is too hard to achieve. Thank you, love.”

He further appreciated the Ghetto People who always challenged him to challenge them.

“Over the past two decades, you guys have kept me on tenterhooks to be the best of myself and give my best energy to everything I do, because I know that by doing things right, I am inspiring millions of others. And yes, let today inspire you to know that you’re never too late to pursue your dreams and achieve.