Aijuka rises from rural Bushenyi to academic top-level excellence

2026-03-18 - 08:35

At Makerere University’s 76th graduation few days ago, ALLAN AIJUKA, along with Raymond Jerry Nuwamanya, graduated with a first-class degree in laws. Only 16 students from the school of law have graduated with a first class in Makerere’s history. From Bitooma town council in Bushenyi district to Makerere University School of Law, Aijuka’s journey is a powerful story of determination, faith and academic excellence, writes Geofrey Serugo. The seventh of 10 children, Aijuka has risen through perseverance and discipline to emerge as one of the outstanding law students, proving that humble beginnings can pave the way to remarkable achievements. Now pursuing a diploma in legal practice at the Law Development Centre (LDC), his path to success has been shaped by scholarship opportunities, mentorship from distinguished lecturers and a belief that the law is a powerful tool for promoting justice and good governance in society. Today, Aijuka credits faith, hard work and the support of mentors and colleagues for shaping both his academic success and personal growth. Born to Richard Bwambizo and Elivanisi Tusasiirwe, he started his early education at Muhame Community School and later joined Birimbi Model Primary School in Nyabubaare, Bushenyi district, where he completed P7 with an aggregate score of 8. After primary school, Aijuka’s parents struggled financially to get him to secondary school. Luckily, he joined Mbarara High School under the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship. The scholarship enabled him to complete O-level, where he obtained an aggregate of 24. On paper, this was an average performance. He later completed A-level during the Covid-19 period, scoring 17 points in History, Economics and Divinity. Solid progress! He initially joined Bishop Stuart University to study law for one semester before transferring to Makerere University, where he believes God’s blessings greatly manifested through this academic opportunity. WHY LAW? Aijuka has always had a deep conviction that the study and practice of law is an ideal way of promoting justice and good governance in society. “Many events around me opened my eyes to how much I could contribute to society as a lawyer. This motivated me to seek career guidance that propelled me further to fight for my dream of becoming a lawyer,” he says. Aijuka attributes much of his success to God and the faith that shaped his character even before joining law school. “Being a professing and practicing Christian inculcated in me discipline and a strong sense of self-drive,” he says. He also credits his lecturers for contributing significantly to his success. During the second semester of his first year, after results had been released, he had performed well but had not fully appreciated it until Prof Emmanuel Kasimbazi asked to meet the student who had scored an ‘A’ in Fundamentals of Criminal Law. “I followed him after class and he applauded my effort and encouraged me to work harder. He might never know what those two minutes meant to me, but they meant a lot,” he recalls. In his second year, Prof Oloka Onyango invited him to his office, opened his academic portal, and told him he had the potential to graduate with a first class degree. That encouragement further motivated him. Later, while working with the School of Law as a research assistant, he had the rare privilege of working closely with Dr Busingye Kabumba, whose contribution to his academic growth he says cannot easily be expressed in words. “I also attribute this success to colleagues with whom we read and discussed academic work, sometimes beyond midnight. My family has also been very supportive in ways I cannot fully express,” he adds. For one, constitutional law captured his interest the most. He found discussions around the rule of law particularly fascinating and intellectually stimulating. This interest inspired his research paper titled “Exorcising Demons Haunting Freedom of Assembly in Uganda: An Analysis of the Power of Police to Regulate Assemblies.” The paper was inspired by lessons drawn from modules relating to constitutionalism, the rule of law, and good governance. Aijuka was actively involved in many extracurricular activities during his time at university. “Some people wondered how I was able to engage in so many activities and still perform well academically,” he says. Politically, he was very active from his first days at university. He initially contested for the position of first year representative on the Makerere Law Society executive, although the election did not eventually take place. In his second year, he contested for the position of treasurer of the Makerere Law Society but did not win. However, in his third year, he was successfully elected as the chairperson of the Students’ Guild Tribunal for the entire university. He says this position greatly contributed to his maturity and leadership development. In addition, he was actively involved in church activities as a missions coordinator for a mission group, where they frequently travelled to different parts of the country to preach. He also participated in Pan- Africanism activities through the Africa Kwetu Students’ Organization, where he currently serves as secretary general. These responsibilities pushed him to put in extra effort in both leadership and academics. Additionally, he is guided by the philosophy of Ubuntu, which he believes should be at the heart of legal practice. Above all, he says his faith in God continues to guide him. ADVICE TO LAW STUDENTS Aijuka believes that many students have hidden potential that can only be discovered through extra effort. “Reading an extra case each day, discussing for an extra hour, and consulting colleagues and lecturers regularly can make a big difference,” he advises. “Do not underestimate the power of consistency combined with determination to do and be the best. Starting as early as the first or second year can make it easier to graduate with a first class. It is very possible.” Besides beginning his career in legal practice, Aijuka hopes to pursue a Master’s degree, specifically in corporate governance. “I am also looking forward to training and certification in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which I believe represents the future of legal practice,” he says. MAKERERE LAW SCHOOL FIRST CLASS HOLDERS Prof Edward Kiddhu Makubuya Apollo Nelson Makubuya James Mugira Phillip Karugaba Frank Mugabi Sandra Kiapi Joseph Isanga Joseph Kyazze Ronald Karungi Festus Akunobera Busingye Kabumba Brenda Ntambirweki Kenneth Ssebagayunga (2006) Peterson Mwesiga (2017) Lawrence Alado (2024) Raymond Jerry Nuwamanya (2026) Allan Aijuka (2026)