In Summary: Victoria University Vice Chancellor Prof. Lawrence Muganga has paid tribute to the late businessman Rajiv Ruparelia for believing in the institution during its formative years, as the university marked its 10th graduation ceremony and announced plans for a new Naguru campus featuring a teaching hospital and proposed medical school.
Kampala, Uganda — Victoria University Vice Chancellor Prof. Lawrence Muganga has credited the late businessman Rajiv Ruparelia with playing an important role in shaping the institution’s growth, saying his belief in the university during its formative years inspired its leadership to pursue a more ambitious vision for higher education.
Muganga made the remarks during the university’s 10th graduation ceremony held Monday at Speke Resort Munyonyo, where he paid tribute to Rajiv’s contribution, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when universities faced significant operational and financial challenges.
The vice chancellor recalled that Victoria University had approximately 180 students when Rajiv began supporting its vision, but the businessman saw potential beyond the institution’s modest enrolment.
According to Muganga, Rajiv encouraged the university leadership to look beyond its immediate challenges and work towards establishing an institution capable of competing with leading universities in Africa and internationally.
He said Rajiv’s confidence in the university and its staff provided important motivation as the institution sought to expand its reach, strengthen its academic programmes and establish a stronger position in Uganda’s higher education sector.
Rajiv’s contribution was also associated with efforts to promote practical learning, innovation and academic programmes designed to equip graduates with skills relevant to the changing demands of the labour market.
The tribute came as Victoria University marked a decade of academic development, with the institution outlining ambitions to build on its progress through technology-driven learning, industry-relevant programmes and practical skills training.
Muganga’s remarks also highlighted the role of private investment and business leadership in supporting the development of higher education institutions in Uganda.
Victoria University plans Naguru campus
During the graduation ceremony, Muganga announced plans to establish a new Victoria University campus in Naguru, Kampala, with construction expected to begin in January 2027.
The proposed campus is expected to feature technology-driven teaching and learning facilities, alongside a teaching hospital that will support plans to establish a medical school.
The development is part of the university’s broader expansion ambitions, particularly in strengthening its capacity to train professionals in specialised fields that require practical and clinical experience.
The proposed teaching hospital is expected to provide a platform for medical education and clinical training, although further details regarding the project’s financing, implementation and completion timeline were not immediately available.
The announcement signals the university’s intention to expand its academic infrastructure as it enters its next decade of operation.
Remembering Rajiv Ruparelia
Rajiv Ruparelia, a businessman whose interests spanned several sectors, died in a road accident on May 3, 2025, aged 35.
His contribution to Victoria University, as recalled by Muganga, centred on his belief in the institution’s potential at a time when it was still building its student population and navigating challenges facing higher education providers.
The vice chancellor’s tribute highlighted how that confidence helped shape the university’s ambitions around technology, practical learning and academic programmes aligned with employment and industry needs.
As Victoria University prepares for its next phase of development, the proposed Naguru campus represents a significant part of its expansion agenda, while Rajiv’s legacy remains associated with the institution’s formative growth and aspirations.
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