Abavandimwe Council chairperson Frank Gashumba has urged university student leaders to prioritise character, community service and national values, saying academic qualifications alone are no longer enough to earn societal respect.
Speaking during an engagement with student leaders from various universities across the country, Gashumba said graduates must reflect the knowledge and values gained from higher institutions of learning in their conduct and contribution to society.
“Society no longer demands mere qualifications; it values the impact one makes,” he said, adding that even top academic performers should demonstrate excellence beyond the classroom.
Gashumba also told the students that they face fewer identity-related challenges compared to past generations.
He attributed improvements in the acquisition of national identification documents to an Executive Order by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, which he said ensured “fair treatment” for indigenous Ugandans applying for National IDs and passports.
He described the change as a “miracle,” saying some communities previously felt stateless but now feel fully recognised.
During the meeting, Gashumba announced that the Abavandimwe Council had officially launched a new political slogan, “Tuzamutora Yoweri,” signalling support for President Museveni in the upcoming elections.