National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine has finally graduated with a law degree from Cavendish University Uganda after years of chasing his dream and keeping hope alive – against all odds.
When he emerged on the political scene, first as an MP for Kyadondo East in 2017 in a by-election, all Bobi Wine had as an academic qualification was his diploma in Music, Dance and Drama – and a lot of faith that he could change his country.
Based on his clearly wanting educational credentials – in a country where politicians boast of degrees most of which do not add value to their communities – his opponents dismissed him and his political movement as a passing wind.
Later, his admission to Makerere University for a diploma in music, dance and drama on mature age entry scheme was also questioned – and was his age – as some sought to block his political ambitions, including his quest to challenge long serving president Yoweri Museveni for the country’s highest office.
In 2016, Bobi Wine joined the International University of East Africa (IUEA) for a law degree but was soon advised to abandon the program as the education institution “was not yet fully accredited to teach law.” He switched to Cavendish University from which he has today graduated with a law degree.
As he graduated, Bobi Wine thanked “those who always mocked my academic qualifications,” saying they “pushed me to pursue this course.” He added: “Thank you and I hope you will now get something better to talk about.”
Admitting that he had skipped some lessons – clearly because of his busy schedule, being a leader of a political party – Bobi Wine revealed that Cavendish University forced him to undertake a full semester studying a course unit for a second time.
Even as he saw those he had started the academic program with graduate and leave the university, year on year, Bobi Wine says he soldiered on.
“I was supposed to graduate last year, having completed all other requirements for the award of this degree. However, because I had missed a few lectures in one of the course units, I wasn’t allowed to graduate but instead subjected to another semester of re-attendance for that course unit,” narrated Bobi Wine.
“I took the new challenge with grace and ended up waiting for another full year to graduate. Many of my classmates graduated last year and the years before.”
Ahead of graduation day, Bobi Wine says, he has been subjected to an investigation that probably nobody has ever faced in Uganda. He claimed that the National Council for Higher Education had ordered Cavendish University Uganda to produce a myriad of documents to prove that the singer and politician had fulfilled requirements for the award of a bachelor of laws degree.
“Recently when news came out that I was set to graduate, the usual detractors got busy and made every effort to stop me. Some people, ostensibly working for the regime and other detractors, went as far as petitioning the National Council for Higher Education,” the National Unity Platform boss said.
“NCHE officials went to the University and demanded for every document regarding my studies, including my application form, admission forms, all class attendance records, written exams, coursework of all the years and my tuition payment records! It is after a very detailed and intense investigation that I was cleared to graduate today.”
Bobi Wine says that those who have been working to fail him on his education journey must be very unhappy. “I am sure the regime and those who are always eager to please it are very disappointed to see me in this gown today,” he noted.
One of those unhappy people might include lawyer Male Mabirizi, who last week moved to block Bobi Wine’s graduation. (See Details Here).
You can also read about Bobi Wine’s education journey up to his MDD diploma Here.
