KAMPALA, UGANDA: Kampala’s leading private higher institution, Victoria University has come out and clarified on the appointment of socialite Shanita Namuyimbwa alias Bad Black as their ambassador.
Social media went awash yesterday after news broke that Bad Black had been appointed as the university brand ambassador, a move that attracted negative criticism and backlash from commentators.
However, in a statement released at the University’s main campus on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, Vice Chancellor Dr. Lawrence Muganga said the socialite sought to join Victoria University as an opportunity to better herself and become an inspiration to other people who seem to think there’s no chance to redeem themselves from their ugly past.
“Ms. Shanitah Namuyimbwa came to Victoria University with an overwhelming desire to better herself and become a decent contributing member of society and a role model to her children,” Dr. Muganga’s statement reads in part.
VU in the statement further said as an educational hub, the university welcomes people from all walks of life and that it is in the same vein that they welcomed Bad Black to join as a student of English Language and Digitial Marketing on short course basis.
“Ms. Shanitah has a goal of becoming a fluent English speaker and Digital marketing guru and that’s how Victoria University comes to help her. It is against this background that Shanitah Namuyimbwa reached out to us seeking our support to help her become a better person,” the statement adds.
Dr. Muganga, however, clarified that being their student, Bad Black automatically becomes their ambassador wherever she goes and was quick to refute that she is not a brand ambassador, but rather a student ambassador just like any other student or alumni of Victoria University.
“All Victoria University students and alumni are our ambassadors. As our student, Shanitah Namuyimbwa automatically becomes a Victoria University student ambassador,” he said.
VC Muganga also reiterated that as a move by the University to transform Uganda’s educational sector, all students from all backgrounds, and all levels of educational qualifications, and that is why Bad Black scooped the position to join as a student and ambassador despite being an S.2 dropout.
For admission to the short courses, he said, “At Victoria University, we say that if you managed to get One (1) Principle Pass or you only managed to obtain only Two (2) Subsidiaries, don’t worry you are not a failure and we well come you to Victoria University to pursue our Higher Education Certificate (HEC) which has been approved by National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).”
“You don’t need to repeat S.6, through this HEC Programme, we will prepare you to achieve a Degree of your Choice just come to Victoria University,” he added.
Commenting on her appointment as the University ambassador, Bad Black happily said, “I can’t explain but coming live to address in English as I am the official brand ambassador of Victoria university, I am so happy for my children getting a bursary for international schools,” she further said.
“Yes small books Vs big books, how come your big books didn’t land you on such a gig from today,” she provoked journalists at the presser.
Social Media Reacts
NBS TV Journalist and News anchor Samson Kasumba reacting on the same appointment said without much effort Bad Black had finished her task of Promoting Victoria University with just a turn of hours.
“Without much effort, Bad Black has just finished her task of promoting Victoria University. She has passed the test with flying colours. Give me a name of someone else who would have done this, and given the University this talk ability in terms of real numbers on day one. Just 1,” he said.
He added, “You can go anywhere you want, give all sorts of reasons why you think that you are better than her, list the good things you do that she does not, or the bad things she does you don’t, one fact remains: none of is righteous before God. That is the end of the story Amen.”
However, the University says, their job is to transform and rehabilitate those that desperately need to become better people saying Bad Black is a better example of such people that need urgent help to transform themselves.
“At Victoria University, as transformers, we say We’re The University of You, we also say that No one should be categorized a failure by an exam, we believe that education systems are the culprits here that fail to understand the potential of students.”
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