By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus — For many postgraduate students at Kampala International University (KIU), the pursuit of advanced education is rarely a straight path. It is a careful balancing act, lectures and research on one side, careers and personal responsibilities on the other.

It is within this complex reality that the Master of Social Work and Social administration student, Mathew Sunday, widely known as MC Banks UG, found his calling to lead.

Besides being a host of ceremonies, Sunday is a business man-and an employee, responsibilities he has to balance with the academic demands especially those of a Master’s degree.

Now elected Guild Member of Parliament for postgraduate students, Sunday is positioning himself as a voice shaped by the very pressures his peers navigate daily.

“I ran because I understand what postgraduate students go through,” he said. “We are not just students — many of us are professionals, parents and leaders in different spaces. That requires representation that truly reflects our realities.”

Sunday’s journey to leadership is rooted in that lived experience. As a weekend student, he has had to master the art of time management, juggling academic work with personal and professional commitments. It is this discipline, he says, that gives him confidence in his ability to serve effectively.

“Balancing responsibilities is something I already do,” he said. “Leadership is an extension of that. With the right structure, teamwork and use of digital platforms, I will remain present and accessible.”

At the heart of his agenda is a push to improve the postgraduate academic experience, particularly in the area of research often considered the backbone of advanced study.

Sunday points to delays in research processes, limited access to supervisors and gaps in communication as key issues that need urgent attention.

“Research is central to postgraduate education, but many students face unnecessary delays,” he said. “We need stronger systems that support students from proposal to completion without setbacks.”

Beyond policy and administration, Sunday is also focusedon building a sense of community among postgraduate students, a group that can often feel disconnected due to differing schedules and commitments.

 He envisions platforms where students can exchange ideas, collaborate and support each other both academically and professionally.

“Postgraduate students have a wealth of knowledge and experience,” he said. “If we create spaces to connect, we can learn from each other and grow together.”

His leadership approach, he adds, will be grounded in exclusivity and transparency, values he believes are essential in representing a diverse student body.

“I want every postgraduate student to feel heard,” he said. “Leadership is not about one person; it is about all of us working together to improve our environment.”

As he begins his term, Sunday carries not just the mandate of representation, but the expectations of a community seeking both recognition and reform.