GENERAL PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: KIU Advances Agenda of Academic Excellence, Research, Health Sciences and Global Impact

KIU, Main Campus - Kampala International University (KIU) has on Friday, 2nd October, 2026, held press conference at the Main Campus to update the media and the public on a number of recent institutional milestones and upcoming engagements. Together, they reflect the University's continuing focus on academic excellence, research visibility, practical skills development, innovation and graduate transformation.

The developments covered in this statement are:

• KIU's victory in the inaugural Uganda University Surgical Societies Consortium (UUSSC) Inter-University Surgical Skills Competition
• The inclusion of the Kampala International University Law Journal in Scopus
• KIU's latest Webometrics performance
• The transition to Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET)
• The forthcoming 34th Graduation Ceremony
• The 4th International Research and Development Conference (IRDeC 2026)
• The KIU 2026 Alumni Homecoming Dinner and Elections
• The $60 million Health and AI Expansion
   

KIU Wins Inaugural Inter-University Surgical Skills Competition

Kampala International University has emerged overall winner of the inaugural Uganda University Surgical Societies Consortium (UUSSC) Inter-University Surgical Skills Competition, held at Makerere University on Saturday, 26th September 2026.

The competition was held under the theme "Fostering Surgical Excellence through Unity, Knowledge and Skills" and brought together surgical societies from universities across Uganda. Participants were assessed through practical surgical skills exercises, medical quizzes and surprise activities designed to test clinical knowledge, technical ability, teamwork and decision-making.

KIU recorded the highest overall score of 86.3%, ahead of Makerere University at 75.5% and King Ceasor University at 74.6%. Kabale University scored 72.01%, while Busitema University scored 67.54%.

The winning KIU delegation comprised Modestus Faith Akello, President of the KIU Surgery Society; Morris Muchangi Karimi; Melissa Lynette Takuwa; Caroline Amaguru; Lily Rhoda Auma; and Farhat Tinka. Karimi was additionally named Best Overall Participant of the competition.

The achievement demonstrates the value of complementing classroom learning with practical application. It also highlights the contribution of student-led professional societies in strengthening practical skills, peer learning, teamwork and professional networks among future health professionals.

KIU Law Journal Achieves Scopus Indexing Milestone

Kampala International University has reached a significant milestone in scholarly publishing following the official acceptance of the Kampala International University Law Journal (KIULJ) for coverage in Scopus, one of the world's major abstract and citation databases for peer-reviewed research.

The achievement makes KIULJ the first Scopus-indexed law journal in Uganda and the wider East African region. The journal was accepted following evaluation by the Scopus Content Selection and Advisory Board (CSAB).

Importantly, Scopus coverage for KIULJ is effective from 2022. Eligible articles published in the journal from 2022 onwards will therefore benefit from increased international discoverability, accessibility and potential citation visibility.

The milestone is significant for KIU's broader research agenda because it strengthens the platform through which legal scholarship produced by the University and its collaborators can reach the international academic community. The journal has provided a platform for scholarship on contemporary legal and policy questions, including governance, human rights, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, public procurement and sustainable development.

The University recognises the contribution of the KIULJ Editorial Board, reviewers, authors, the School of Law, the Directorate of Research, Innovation, Consultancy and Extension (DRICE), the Directorate of Higher Degrees and Research (DHDR), and the wider KIU academic community to this achievement.

KIU continues to emphasise research, knowledge generation, postgraduate development and collaboration as central to the University's institutional growth. The Scopus milestone adds to that research and internationalisation agenda.

KIU Ranked Among Africa's Top 50 Universities in July 2026 Webometrics

KIU has recorded strong performance in the July 2026 Webometrics Ranking of World Universities. The official KIU release reports that the University was ranked 49th in Africa and second in Uganda, placing it among Africa's top 50 universities.

The ranking is based on indicators associated with global visibility, research excellence, openness and academic impact. KIU's latest position reflects the University's growing digital and scholarly presence and its continuing investment in research, academic visibility and international engagement.

KIU has also been reported as Uganda's highest-ranked private university in the July 2026 Webometrics results, while the University's official release confirms its second-place position nationally and 49th position in Africa.

For KIU, the significance of the ranking extends beyond a numerical position. It reinforces the importance of making research more visible and accessible, strengthening digital platforms and ensuring that knowledge generated within the University contributes to national, regional and global conversations.

KIU Leads Higher Education Transition to Competence-Based Education and Training

Kampala International University is taking a leading role in the transition of higher education towards Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET), in line with the national direction for Higher Education Institutions to fully adopt CBET by the 2027/2028 academic year.

The transition represents an important shift towards education that places greater emphasis on demonstrable skills, practical application, problem-solving and the ability of graduates to apply knowledge in real-world settings.

As part of this transition, KIU's Main Campus recently hosted the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) Regional Capacity-Building Workshop, bringing together academic leaders from across the region to engage on frameworks and approaches for skills-based learning.

KIU has also engaged international expertise, including collaboration with Mount Royal University and Ivey Business School, to strengthen faculty capacity in Case-Based Learning and other practical teaching methodologies.

The University is aligning its academic delivery with a stronger focus on structured internships, community engagement, practical learning and hands-on assessment, while strengthening the capacity of academic staff to deliver learning that connects theory with practice.

For KIU, the transition is part of its wider commitment to producing graduates who are equipped with relevant competencies for employment, entrepreneurship, professional practice and continued innovation. The University will continue working with regulators, industry, academic partners and other stakeholders to strengthen the implementation of CBET across its programmes.

KIU Announces 34th Graduation Ceremony for 21st November 2026

Kampala International University will hold its 34th Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, 21st November 2026, at the KIU Western Campus in Ishaka, Bushenyi District.

The ceremony will be held under the theme "Empowering Graduates for Global Transformation through Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship." The theme reflects the University's emphasis on preparing graduates not only to obtain qualifications, but also to apply knowledge, create solutions, pursue innovation and contribute to transformation in their communities and beyond.

The graduation will bring together graduands, parents and guardians, members of the University Council and Senate, academic and administrative staff, alumni, partners, invited guests and other stakeholders to celebrate the academic achievements of the graduating class.

The University's current graduation portal lists the ceremony for 21st November 2026 at the Western Campus, Ishaka-Bushenyi, with graduate records subject to the final academic and financial clearance processes.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor, on behalf of the University Council, Senate and Management, calls upon graduands and all stakeholders to complete the required graduation preparations within the communicated timelines.

IRDeC 2026 to Bring Research, AI and Digital Innovation to One Platform

Kampala International University will host the 4th International Research and Development Conference (IRDeC 2026) from 12th to 16th October 2026 at the Main Campus, Ggaba Road, Kansanga, Kampala.

The conference theme is "The Role of Digital Innovation and Artificial Intelligence in Advancing Workforce Efficiency, Economic Transformation and Industrialisation." It is designed to bring together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers and civil society to examine how emerging technologies are reshaping workplaces, economies and development systems.

The conference will engage five broad areas:

• Digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystems and smart connectivity
• Workforce efficiency, productivity and health and wellbeing
• The digital economy and economic transformation for sustainable development
• Industry 4.0 and 5.0, smart manufacturing and intelligent systems
• Governance, policy and ethical artificial intelligence

IRDeC 2026 provides a platform for research presentation, knowledge exchange, collaboration and engagement on practical questions surrounding automation, data analytics, 

AI-enabled decision-making, upskilling and reskilling, digital entrepreneurship, financial technology, smart manufacturing, data privacy, cybersecurity and responsible AI.

The conference is therefore positioned as part of KIU's wider effort to connect research and innovation with real-world development challenges, while creating opportunities for academics, researchers, students, industry actors and development stakeholders to exchange knowledge and build partnerships.

KIU 2026 Alumni Homecoming Dinner and Elections

Kampala International University is proud to announce its highly anticipated Alumni Homecoming Dinner, scheduled for Friday, 6th November 2026. The grand event will take place on the Sixth Floor at the KIU Main Campus in Kansanga.

Themed around reconnection and celebrating milestones, the homecoming dinner will bring together distinguished KIU graduates from across the globe. The evening features high-level networking sessions, dinner, and celebrations of outstanding graduate achievements. Crucially, the dinner will host the Alumni Leadership Elections, charting the future path for the KIU alumni network.

Ahead of the main dinner, alumni can also participate in exciting buildup activities, including the highly competitive Alumni Football Match.

This homecoming is not just a celebration of where our graduates are today, but a vital opportunity to shape the future leadership and impact of our global community.

Registration for the dinner is now open. Alumni are encouraged to secure their invitations early.

Historic $60 Million Health and AI Expansion

KAMPALA, UGANDA: Kampala International University has officially announced a landmark $60 million expansion initiative to establish Uganda's first private specialised Cancer Institute, Heart Institute, and Neurosurgery Hospital at its Western Campus in Ishaka, Bushenyi.

Supported by a 30% funding grant from the European Union and 70% university investment, the new facility will deliver advanced oncology, cardiology, and brain surgery services. Alongside this healthcare milestone, KIU is launching its cutting-edge Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. The centre will power precision medicine, digital health research, and cross-industry data solutions using global FAIR data principles.

"This expansion blends specialised tertiary healthcare with advanced computing," said a KIU representative. "This will bridge the critical gaps in regional cardiovascular and cancer care while equipping the next generation with elite skills in artificial intelligence."

A University Linking Knowledge, Practice and Impact

Taken together, these developments demonstrate the breadth of KIU's academic and institutional agenda. From practical clinical skills and professional education to legal scholarship, digital visibility, research, competence-based learning and graduate development, the University continues to position learning as a pathway to practical contribution.

KIU will continue strengthening the quality and visibility of its academic work, supporting students and researchers, expanding partnerships, promoting innovation and creating platforms through which knowledge can contribute to Uganda, Africa and the wider international community.

The University appreciates its students, academic and administrative staff, researchers, alumni, partners, professional bodies, parents and the media for their continued contribution to and engagement with KIU.

Issued by:
Prof. Muhammed Ngoma, PhD
Vice Chancellor
Kampala International University

Media Contact:
Directorate of Public Relations and Communications
Kampala International University
Main Campus, Ggaba Road, Kansanga, Kampala, Uganda
Website: www.kiu.ac.ug | +256 782 84 33 97

ENDS