From left: Dr Peter Wanyama Obanda, lecturer; Dr Denis Kapyata; Stephen Uyirwoth; and Dr Godfrey Bagonza.

By : Brenda Achen

Kyambogo University’s Paidha Learning Centre has officially welcomed students from the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 academic year groups during its first virtual matriculation ceremony.

The ceremony was held on Saturday, October 24, at the Paidha Learning Centre and connected students from the university’s main campus in Kampala and learning centres in Paidha, Soroti and Bushenyi.

Stephen Uyirwoth, a first-year Bachelor of Education Primary student, said studying in Paidha had given him a chance to pursue university education despite the financial challenges his parents would face in supporting him at an institution far from home.

He said he had begun losing hope of completing his education and achieving his dream because of the cost of studying away from home. Uyirwoth encouraged other students to join the centre, saying the lecturers were ready to support them throughout their studies.

Fahima Nakigudde, another student pursuing a Bachelor of Education Primary degree, said the centre provides a good learning environment and affordable accommodation.

The Deputy Chief of the Paidha Learning Centre, Dr Denis Kapyata, urged the public and other stakeholders to use the opportunity to access university education closer to home. He said this could help reduce the cost of education.

The Head of the Centre for Distance Learning, Dr Godfrey Bagonza, said the centre has 407 students enrolled in programmes for those joining university after Senior Six and those already working, mainly teachers, who want to upgrade their qualifications.

He said 13 students are pursuing a Bachelor of Education Primary, 10 are taking a Bachelor of Business Administration, while six are enrolled in a Bachelor of Vocational Studies in Agriculture with Education.

The programmes for working students include a Diploma in Education Primary, a Bachelor of Education Primary, a Diploma in Special Needs Education and a Bachelor of Special Needs Education.

Dr Bagonza said the university plans to develop the Paidha Learning Centre into a model campus with a Faculty of Agriculture, working together with the district’s agricultural department.

He said the plans include setting up demonstration farms and animal production units where students and other interested people can gain practical agricultural skills.

“With Zombo District being a food basket, the university thought it wise to provide this opportunity for stakeholders and partners to learn,” Dr Bagonza said.

The Dean of the School of Management and Entrepreneurship, Dr Peter Wanyama Obanda, said matriculation is a formal university ceremony during which students pledge to follow the university’s rules and values.

Dr Wanyama urged the students to maintain high standards of integrity, learn practical skills and reject sectarianism. He encouraged them to pursue their studies with a focus on excellence, innovation and unity.

Kyambogo University’s Paidha Learning Centre was opened in 2024, initially targeting working teachers who wanted to upgrade their qualifications. The centre has since offered diploma and bachelor’s degree programmes in primary education, as well as programmes for students joining university after Senior Six.