The Chief Justice, Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, has urged graduands to embrace integrity, accountability and continuous reskilling in order to remain relevant in a changing job market.
Speaking during the 23rd Graduation Ceremony of the Uganda Management Institute (UMI) in Kampala on Friday, which saw 11 PhD candidates, 801 Master’s students and more than 3,000 postgraduate students graduate in different disciplines, Justice Zeija congratulated the graduands and commended parents, spouses and guardians for supporting their academic journeys.
He said Uganda needs leaders who can manage complexity, ambiguity and change, noting that national challenges require practical solutions that improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
“As you graduate today, you must never lose focus of the need for constant reskilling in order to remain relevant to the ever-changing job market,” he said.
Citing the 2025 Future of Jobs Report, Justice Zeija noted that 59 per cent of the global workforce will require reskilling by 2030 due to technological, economic, demographic and environmental shifts.
He commended UMI for its contribution to management, leadership and public administration, noting that the Judiciary values staff who continue to sharpen their skills at the Institute.
Justice Zeija said reforms such as the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) require professionals with strong skills in performance management, ICT and change leadership.
“The gown you wear today is not a cape. It will not make hard decisions easy. But it is a reminder that you have been trained to think, to lead and to serve,” he said.
“Uganda does not need perfect managers. It needs honest ones. It does not need managers who know everything. It needs managers who are willing to learn, to listen and to be held accountable.”
The Judiciary was represented by Lady Justice Florence Nakachwa Dollo of the Court of Appeal and Dr. Pius Bigirimana, Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Judiciary.
Several staff of the Judiciary, both judicial and non-judicial, were among the graduands, including Kosia Kasibayo, Deputy Registrar of the Family Division; Chief Magistrates Glory Alleluya (Kalangala), Doreen Karungi Olga (Kajjansi), Christine Nantege (Second Chief Magistrate Nakawa), Sarah Basemera (Makindye) and l Shelagh Agnes Nantaawo
(Ibanda).
Others who graduated included Herbert Arinda Kainlawren, Senior Magistrate Kalangala; Sumaya Kasule-Rutahwire, Principal Magistrate Grade I attached to Justice Asa Mugenyi; Shamila Tindikahwa Isingoma attached to the chambers of Justice David Matovu; Smith Ogwal Smith; and Ali Tibenkana, Magistrate Grade I Iganga.
Additional graduates from the Judiciary included Suzan Akello, Principal Human Resource Officer; Caesar Kagoro, Principal Policy Analyst; Sheila Wamboga, Principal Communications Officer; Loyce Akello, Senior Personal Secretary to the Permanent Secretary; Ivan Twabagye, Assistant Secretary; and Gift Owembabazi, Systems Administrator, Mukono
