By Brian Mugenyi
KAMPALA, UGANDA — The founding Vice-Chancellor of Kampala University, Prof. Badru Dungu Kateregga, has commended students for their exceptional display of cultural heritage, creativity, and discipline during the university’s annual Cultural Gala held at the Mutundwe Campus on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Celebrating student diversity across five campuses, the highly competitive event saw winning cultural groups rewarded with live cows as traditional prizes.
“Think Beyond the Ordinary”
Delivering his address, Prof. Kateregga lightheartedly remarked that academia demands a departure from standard thinking to unlock true innovation.
“Professors like me are not normal; they are abnormal because they think at a level beyond the normal,” Kateregga said to applause.
He used the humorous remark to urge students to embrace originality, push past conventional limits, and approach their academic and creative pursuits with absolute commitment.
Singleout out the Mutundwe In-Service dance troupe for their raw energy, the Vice-Chancellor noted a marked improvement in both performance quality and overall gala organization compared to previous years.
“I see a lot of improvement. The Mutundwe In-Service group danced until they collapsed, and that is what you should do. If you have come to demonstrate your talent, do it with all your heart,” he added, thanking the student body for their exemplary discipline throughout the event.
Five Campuses Showcase Rich Cultural Heritage
The annual gala brought together students from Kampala University’s five main campuses—Ggaba, Mutundwe, Masaka, Jinja, and Luweero—representing a diverse student population of over 10,000 learners drawn from more than 20 nationalities.
Students competed in traditional folk dances, drama, poetry, cultural attire modeling, and storytelling.
Rose Mary Nakanwagi, a Mass Communication student who traveled from the Masaka Campus, described the event as a vital educational platform outside the lecture room.
“It was a fantastic Cultural Gala. We traveled all the way from Masaka by coaster to experience performance traditions from other regions and countries before heading back,” Nakanwagi shared.
Dignitaries and Modern Entertainment
The event was graced by Buganda Kingdom officials, led by Owek. Kazibwe, highlighting the strong bond between academic institutions and traditional leadership in preserving indigenous customs.
Kampala University Public Relations Officer Julius Ssekatawa and university official Rashida Kateregga both commended the students for using the platform to foster unity, cross-cultural appreciation, and artistic expression.
Closing out the festivities, popular Ugandan music star King Saha delivered an energetic performance, blending modern afro-pop entertainment with traditional cultural showcases.
Prof. Kateregga concluded by challenging student leaders and organizers to maintain the university’s signature originality: “That is what Kampala University is about—originality. Let us bring our uniqueness here and do what others cannot do.”
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