By Joseph Odoi

Jackline Katusabe, a second-year Bachelor of Science  in Sustainable Agriculture student, has been sworn in as the 9th Guild President of African Rural University (ARU) at a ceremony held at the Centre for Reflection today, 8th September 2023.

Jackline Katusabe was guided by the University’s Students Guild  Registrar, Night Theopista in reciting 3 Oaths including Oath of allegiance, Oath of Cabinet Minister and Oath of  Secrecy  as Guild President.

Upon swearing in, The Guild Elect Jackline Katusabe, in a special way, thanked students for entrusting her with Leadership.

“I want to start by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have supported me on this journey. To my family, who have always been my pillars of strength, to my friends, who have believed in me, and to every student who entrusted me with the role of Vice Guild President, thank you. Your faith in me has brought me to this moment.”

As I step into the shoes of the Guild President, I want to acknowledge the remarkable work done by my predecessor and the entire outgoing guild leadership. They have left an indelible mark on this university, and I am committed to building upon their successes.

During my time as Vice Guild President, I had the opportunity to closely observe the challenges and opportunities that our university faces. I have had conversations with students from all backgrounds, and I have learned about their aspirations, concerns, and dreams. As I transition into this new role, I want to assure you that your voices will continue to be heard,” she assured the students.

ARU Guild President -Jackline Katusabe delivering  her speech during handover

About Jackline Katusabe

Jackline Katusabe began her educational journey at Kakumiro Public Primary School, where she demonstrated her leadership abilities as a Class Monitress in primary three and later as a Sanitary Prefect in primary four. Her leadership skills continued to shine as she served as an Office Girl/Prefect in primary six.

Upon completing her primary education, Jackline enrolled at URDT Girls School for her O’level and A’level studies. During her time at URDT Girls School, she held the prestigious position of Information Prefect in S.5, showcasing her dedication to serving her school community.

Currently, Jackline is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agriculture at ARU, where she is currently in the second semester of her second year. She has been an exemplary student leader at ARU, having served as a Class Representative for the Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agriculture (BSSA) program in her first year. Her leadership potential was recognized by her peers, and she was appointed as the Vice Guild President in her second year. Now, she stands as the Guild President, ready to lead and inspire her fellow students.

Jackline’s leadership philosophy is guided by the  visionary approach and a strong passion for fostering innovation and a deep commitment to strategic planning. She strongly believes in staying informed about emerging trends and technologies in order to anticipate future opportunities

Additionally, she actively integrates sustainability and social responsibility into her vision, seeking to make a positive impact on society and the environment.

In her pursuit of personal growth and development, Jackline emphasizes continuous learning for herself and her team. She firmly believes that continuous learning is crucial in navigating the ever-changing world we live in. In terms of inspiration, Jackline says she is inspired by Ashoka fellow – Dr. Mwalimu Musheshe, the ARU Vice Chancellor, and draws motivation from his quotes, such as “Anytime you change in phase, you create a new picture of what you want, everyone has what to offer beyond materialism,” among others.