Former KIU Guild Leaders Reunite to Plan For Alumni Home Coming Dinner

By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus - Former Guild leaders of Kampala International University (KIU) have begun mobilizing alumni ahead of the university’s first-ever Alumni Homecoming Dinner, scheduled for October 2, 2026.

The former Guild leaders from KIU’s different campuses met at the Main Campus in Kansanga on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, to discuss strategies for mobilizing former students and making the homecoming dinner a success.

The meeting brought together former Guild leaders representing different cohorts and campuses, with organisers saying their networks will be instrumental in reaching out to the wider KIU alumni community.

According to Praise Bosco Tumuramye, Director of KIU Alumni, the meeting was part of broader preparations for the highly anticipated event.

“The meeting was very successful and was part of the efforts towards the much-anticipated Alumni Dinner. We have hope that these leaders will ease mobilization since they represent different cohorts,” Tumuramye said.

He said the Alumni Homecoming Dinner is expected to bring together former KIU students from different graduating classes, campuses and professional backgrounds to celebrate their shared connection to the university.

“It’s meant to celebrate pride because KIU is one of the leading universities in Uganda,” he said.

Beyond the celebrations, Tumuramye said the dinner will provide an opportunity for alumni to discuss ways of strengthening the association and contributing to the university’s development.

Among the initiatives being considered by the Alumni Association are the construction of an alumni block and the establishment of stronger social networks that can benefit both alumni and current students.

Tumuramye also said the association plans to establish a clear leadership structure to coordinate its activities and strengthen collaboration between alumni and the university.

He described the homecoming dinner as part of a broader vision to build one of the strongest alumni associations in Uganda.

“We are looking forward to having the strongest alumni association,” he said.

Tumuramye told KIU TV that an organizing committee has been established to oversee preparations for the dinner. The committee is focusing on alumni mobilization, establishing a general communication platform, and implementing branding activities to raise awareness about the event.

Management pledges support

Speaking after Friday’s meeting, Dr. Abbasi Rutaro, the founding president of the KIU Alumni Association, said university management had pledged its support for initiatives aimed at strengthening the alumni community.

“The University Management has pledged full support to the Alumni Association, including all the activities they are planning to carry out,” Rutaro said.

He said bringing former Guild leaders together was an important step towards making the homecoming dinner successful.

“Having former Guild leaders come together is one of the strategies that will make our Homecoming Dinner on October 2 stand out. We have discussed and resolved on so many things, and I can assure you that we have taken a great step towards making the dinner a success,” he added.

Prudence Muhirwe, a former Guild President of KIU Western Campus, emphasised that the event is intended for all KIU alumni, regardless of the campus they attended.

“The dinner will be at our Main Campus, but that does not mean it will be for only those who studied in Kansanga. The dinner is for everyone whose academic transcripts bear the name KIU,” she said.

Moses Ariho, another former Guild president, expressed gratitude to university management for recognising and supporting the alumni’s efforts to build a stronger community.

“For the first time, the University Management, under the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Hassan Basajjabala, has committed itself fully to supporting our cause, and we are very grateful for that,” Ariho said.

He called upon former students and friends of KIU to join the celebrations.

“I want to call upon all those who studied at KIU, those who associate with KIU and all those who love KIU to come and dine together on October 2, 2026.”

Building a Stronger Alumni Network

Founded in 2000 with its Main Campus in Kansanga, Kampala, KIU has since expanded its presence to Western Uganda and Tanzania.

The university has grown into one of Uganda’s leading private universities, with thousands of graduates across various academic disciplines.

KIU holds two graduation ceremonies annually and has graduated more than 80,000 students, creating a large and diverse alumni community.