Bwesigye has just become the first of Uganda’s known political offspring, born of famous political figures in the persons of Dr. Kizza Besigye and Winnie Byanyima, to take a major step in his academic career when he joined Columbia University in New York for a PhD. This, indeed, is testimony to this young scholar’s exceptional academia talents as he joins one of the world’s leading Ivy League institutions.
Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director and former Member of Parliament, gave her son an emotional sendoff on social media. She shared the photo of the “Last Supper” together as she was preparing to bid her son farewell to this new chapter. Byanyima wrote, “Saying bye to @akbesigye. He leaves to start his new chapter as a PhD student at Columbia University in NYC. Godspeed!”
Friends, family, and the public flocked social media with congratulatory messages to announce the academic pursuit of Anselm. They included Uganda’s Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs Balaam Barugahara, who said, “Wishing you a blessed journey, @akbesigye, as you embark on your PhD adventure at one of the best universities in the world. May your academic endeavors bear fruit and your sojourn in this city be enriching. Godspeed, young scholar! Make our country proud!”
Anselm’s admission to Columbia University is an exceptional achievement; it shows his intellectual capability and dedication to academia. In April, Byanyima proudly shared that her son had managed to secure a fully-funded PhD program at Columbia-a very rare and prestigious thing. He had also been offered scholarships by other top institutions like the University of Oxford and the University of Chicago, further marking his excellence in academics.
Founded in 1754, Columbia University has a long history of contributing to higher education both nationally and globally. That Anselm should attend such a prestigious institution speaks volumes about his own drive toward academic excellence and his firm desire to follow along the illustrious lines set forth by his parents, who each in their own right have made immense contributions in their fields of study. As Anselm Kizza Besigye embarks on this new journey of his life, family, friends, and supporters await the heights he will achieve. The success story will be echoing not only in Uganda but also internationally, adding to what his family has been building over time.
