#KIU34thGrad: It Is Better to Light a Candle Than Curse the Darkness

By; Jamilah Kemigisa Akiiki - Diploma in Pharmacy

Some students wait for opportunities to find them. Others step forward, embrace challenges, and create opportunities for growth. Throughout my time at Kampala International University (KIU), I chose the latter. That decision shaped my university experience and continues to influence how I view leadership, service, and personal development.

Choosing KIU was one of the most important decisions of my academic journey. I was drawn by its strong reputation in health sciences and its diverse learning environment. Studying alongside students from different nationalities and backgrounds broadened my perspective and enriched my understanding of the world beyond the classroom. In the process, I grew into a more confident, disciplined, compassionate, and resilient individual.

As I settled into university life, I discovered that some of the most valuable lessons were learned through service and leadership. I served as President of the Bunyoro-Tooro Students Association from 2023 to 2025, Female Class Representative from 2023 to 2026, Guild Member of Parliament representing Access Programmes from 2024 to 2026, and Guild Secretary General from 2025 to 2026. Each role challenged me to listen, lead, and serve with purpose.

My growth extended beyond campus leadership. Representing KIU at the Afro-Arab Youth Conference in 2025, the International Summer School in 2025, and the Forum for Women in Development Conference in 2024 exposed me to new ideas, cultures, and networks. More importantly, these opportunities strengthened my passion for community service and inspired me to aim higher in my career.

As I prepare for graduation, I look ahead with optimism and gratitude. God willing, I plan to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy or an Integrated Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Pharmacy. Yet beyond the qualification I have earned, I leave KIU with something even more valuable: the confidence to pursue meaningful change wherever I go.

The lesson I carry forward is simple. Progress begins when we choose action over hesitation, solutions over complaints, and service over self-interest. For me, that truth is captured in the words that have guided my journey: “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” Rather than waiting for change, I have learned to be part of it, and that is the spirit I carry with me into the future.