CUEA Opens New Academic Year with Call for Truth, Integrity and Courageous Leadership

The Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) officially opened the 2026/2027 academic year on Thursday, September 3, 2026, with a Convocation Mass and Ceremony centred on truth, integrity, faith and courageous leadership.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Rt. Rev. Wallace Ng'ang'a , Bishop of the Military Ordinariate of Kenya, and concelebrated by the University's new Vice-Chancellor, Very Rev. Prof. Elias Omondi Opongo, SJ , alongside other priests.

Celebrating the Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit, Bishop Ng'ang'a urged the CUEA community to allow the Holy Spirit to guide and inspire their studies, work, relationships and service. Drawing from the Gospel of John (Jn 15:26-27; 16:12-15), he called on the University community to remain faithful witnesses to Christ.

The Mass also saw 10 candidates receive the Sacrament of Confirmation , one of the three Sacraments of Christian Initiation alongside Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. The Bishop encouraged the newly confirmed to embrace the gifts of the Holy Spirit and become witnesses of Christ in their families, professions and wider society.

Forming the Whole Person

Addressing the Convocation, Bishop Ng'ang'a challenged CUEA to remain committed to forming the whole person, noting that society needs professionals whose competence is matched by character and conscience.

"A society needs excellent professionals but society needs something more; good professionals, people whose competence is accompanied by conscience, leaders whose intelligence is joined to wisdom, freedom guided by truth, citizens who can say no to corruption even when it appears profitable," he said. He further called for CUEA's Catholic identity to be reflected in all aspects of University life, saying, "Truth must become our way of life." He linked the call to the University's motto, "Consecrate them in the Truth" (John 17:17).

Prof. Justus Munyoki, the DVC Academic and Student Affairs, called for commitment from everyone, urging all members of the University to work as a team in implementing this year's academic calendar, which runs from 1st September 2026 to August 31st, 2027.

New Vice-Chancellor Sets Out Priorities

In his first Convocation address, Very Rev. Prof. Elias Omondi Opongo, SJ, acknowledged the work of his predecessor, Rev. Prof. Stephen Mbugua, in consolidating and stabilising the University, quoting St. Paul: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth."