It is a moment of pride and celebration for the Busoga Kingdom as His Majesty William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV, the reigning Kyabazinga, graduates with a second Master’s degree—this time from Yale University in the United States.
The monarch, aged 35, has completed a Master of Advanced Studies in Global Affairs from the prestigious Jackson School of Global Affairs, a programme offered on a fully-funded merit-based scholarship. The degree places him among a select group of global leaders who have passed through the halls of the Ivy League institution.
Thousands of Ugandans, both in the kingdom and across the diaspora, took to social media platforms including X, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram to congratulate the royal, lauding him for his continued commitment to education and leadership.
His Majesty is no stranger to academia. Prior to his latest achievement, he obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Management from Coventry University in the UK, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Kyambogo University in Uganda. He is also currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration (Strategic Management) at the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom.
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Speaking to local media, officials from the Obwa Kyabazinga Bwa Busoga described the Yale degree as “timely and significant,” noting that it equips the King to meaningfully engage in matters of regional and global development—particularly in areas of public health and education. The King serves as Uganda’s National Champion against Malaria, the UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador, and is a prominent voice in the fight against teenage pregnancy and hydrocephalus.
In a statement, Uganda Management Institute lecturer and royal family member Prince Wanume Paul, alongside the Minister for Kyabazinga Affairs, Owek Babirye Yudaya, praised the King’s academic achievement as a source of inspiration for young Ugandans and a symbol of cultural leadership in the modern era.
At Yale, the Kyabazinga was commended by faculty for completing the programme with distinction, balancing his royal duties with demanding academic work.
Accompanying him throughout his studies in the United States was his wife, Her Royal Highness Inhebantu Jovia Mutesi Nadiope. In a heartfelt message shared on his X account, the King thanked her for her unwavering support:
“To my beloved wife Jovia, your love is my anchor and your strength is my shield. Through every late night, distant day, and silent sacrifice, you stood by me with grace and patience… This accomplishment is as much yours as it is mine.”
Family members and dignitaries, including Busoga’s Prime Minister (Katuukiro) Owek Dr Joseph Muvawala, Prince Walugembe Frederick, and State Minister for Finance in Busoga Kingdom Ivan Kiirya, were among those present at the Yale graduation ceremony.
As he continues to blend tradition with modern leadership, the Kyabazinga has emerged as a symbol of education-driven cultural revival, positioning the Busoga Kingdom not just as a historical institution, but a progressive partner in Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
