Females take the lead as IUIU graduates over 2,400

MBALE - The Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) is Saturday holding its 34th graduation ceremony in Mbale city, releasing 2,484 graduates amid sustained female dominance in student numbers and strong institutional emphasis on academic quality, equity and global relevance.

The institution is using the event to project a clear message: growth anchored in quality, and gender equity backed by measurable results.

According to academic registrar Adam Ali, the university's latest graduating cohort raises the cumulative number of graduates since its establishment in 1988 to more than 44,000.

He said the figures reflect a university that has transitioned from modest beginnings to a stable academic institution with predictable and well-managed output.

“From the first cohort of only 70 graduates, IUIU has steadily grown to graduate over 2,000 students annually. This growth is not accidental; it is the result of deliberate planning and adherence to academic standards," said Ali ahead of the graduation.

Women at centre of graduation message

A defining feature of Saturday’s graduation is the continued numerical dominance of women. For seven consecutive graduation ceremonies, female students have formed the majority of graduates, consistently accounting for over 50 per cent of each cohort.

The public relations officer of IUIU, Rehema Kantono, said the graduation is being framed as a statement on access and opportunity for women in higher education. 

“The message from this graduation is clear: when women are given access to education and the right academic environment, they thrive. At IUIU, this has become a consistent pattern, not a one-off occurrence," she said.

University data shows that the Females’ Campus has played a central role in sustaining this trend, positioning IUIU as one of the institutions where women’s participation in higher education is structurally supported rather than symbolic.

Vice-President Jessica Alupo arrives for the 34th graduation ceremonyof Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) in Mbale City.

Quality and academic rigor in focus

Beyond the numbers, university leaders said this graduation edition is also intended to reinforce IUIU’s commitment to academic excellence. In recent graduations, women have featured prominently among First Class graduates, particularly between the 31st and 33rd ceremonies.

Dr Jamil Serwanga, the vice rector in charge of academic affairs, said graduation day is an opportunity to communicate the value of an IUIU degree. 

“This is not just about graduating many students. It is about assuring society that our graduates have gone through rigorous training, assessment and quality assurance processes."

Serwanga said that while academic performance trends may vary from year to year, standards remain firm. “Our focus is to produce graduates who are competent, ethical and capable of contributing meaningfully to national and global development."

This latest graduation also comes against the backdrop of rising postgraduate numbers at the university. In recent years, IUIU has recorded steady growth in Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma and PhD programmes, signalling a shift towards advanced training and research.

Serwanga said this expansion reflects the university’s intention to strengthen its role in knowledge production and policy influence. “Postgraduate training is central to building research capacity and responding to complex societal challenges. This graduation highlights that direction."

Kakuuto County Member of Parliament in Kyotera District, Geoffrey Lutaaya (C), is among the graduands.

'Clear message'

As graduands assembled for the ceremony, university officials described the function as more than a celebration. It is a platform to speak to graduates, policymakers and the wider public about the role of higher education in shaping ethical leadership and social responsibility.

“This graduation is where IUIU reaffirms its identity,” said Kantono. 

“We are releasing graduates into society with a clear message: education must translate into service, integrity and impact.”

With women once again taking the lead in numbers, the 34th graduation stands as both a milestone in IUIU’s growth and a statement on the institution’s place in advancing inclusive and quality higher education in Uganda and beyond.