Prof. Kateregga Receives Lifetime Achievement Award at Kigali Summit for Advancing Higher Education in East Africa

Kigali, Rwanda — The Founding Vice-Chancellor of Kampala University, Owek. Amb. Al-Haj Prof. Badru Dungu Kateregga, has been awarded the prestigious “Lifetime Achievement Award: Architect of East African Higher Education & Youth Development” at the Global Well-Respected CEOs Conference & Awards 2026 in Kigali.

The recognition, presented during a high-level gathering of global leaders, scholars, innovators, and policymakers, celebrates Prof. Kateregga’s decades-long contribution to expanding access to higher education and championing youth empowerment across the East African region.

A Vision Rooted in Transformation

In a keynote address delivered on his behalf by Mr. Muhamed Faquih, Deputy Resident Director of Kampala University, Prof. Kateregga expressed deep humility and gratitude for the honour, describing it as a shared achievement.

“This recognition is not only a personal honour but also a testament to the collective efforts of all who believe in the transformative power of education and youth empowerment,” the speech read.

For decades, Prof. Kateregga has advanced a vision of education as a catalyst for national and regional development. His leadership has led to the establishment and growth of institutions including The East African University and East African University Rwanda, in addition to Kampala University in Uganda. These institutions were founded with the aim of equipping young people with knowledge, discipline, ethical grounding, and leadership skills necessary to drive Africa’s socio-economic transformation.

“I have often said: education is the most reliable passport for a nation’s progress,” Prof. Kateregga noted in his address, reiterating his commitment to empowering young people to become architects of a stronger, more prosperous, and forward-looking Africa.

Leadership Beyond Profit

A central theme of Prof. Kateregga’s message was the need to redefine leadership in the modern era. He emphasized that leadership must transcend financial success and focus on long-term societal impact.

“True leadership is measured by the impact we leave on societies, the communities we uplift, and the investments we make in the next generation,” he stated.

He underscored the importance of building sustainable partnerships between academia and industry to ensure that graduates are not only academically competent but also industry-ready innovators and entrepreneurs. According to him, international platforms such as the Global Well-Respected CEOs Conference serve as vital bridges connecting institutions, industries, and nations in pursuit of inclusive growth.

Affirmation of a Lifelong Commitment

Representing the Vice-Chancellor at the ceremony, Mr. Faquih Kateregga, Resident Director of Kampala University, described the award as a powerful affirmation of Prof. Kateregga’s enduring dedication to higher education.

“This Lifetime Achievement Award represents not merely a personal achievement but a deep assertion of a lifelong commitment to advancing higher education and youth empowerment across East Africa,” he said.

He added that the recognition validates decades of investment by Kampala University and its sister institutions in building accessible and quality education systems that nurture skilled, visionary, and ethically grounded graduates.

A Strong University Delegation

The university delegation to Kigali included Sports Director Mr. Faizal Mubiru and Guild President Mr. Lubega Mubarak, reflecting the institution’s inclusive leadership structure that embraces both administrative and student representation.

Their presence symbolized the intergenerational impact of Prof. Kateregga’s work — from institutional governance to student leadership development. 

Building an Inclusive Global Future 

The conference was held under the theme “The Inclusive Legacy: Building Our Global Future”, bringing together CEOs, policymakers, academics, and development practitioners to explore sustainable leadership models and global collaboration frameworks.

Prof. Kateregga’s recognition at the forum highlights the growing global acknowledgment of East Africa’s contribution to higher education innovation and youth development. It also reinforces the role of private universities in complementing national development agendas by expanding educational access and producing graduates equipped to compete in a globalized world.

As East Africa continues to pursue industrialization, technological advancement, and regional integration, leaders such as Prof. Kateregga stand out for laying institutional foundations that empower generations to lead transformation from within.

The Lifetime Achievement Award not only honours an individual career — it celebrates a legacy of educational architecture that continues to shape the region’s intellectual and socio-economic landscape.