We bring you a Graduation Success Story of resilience, determination, and faith — the journey of Oriekot Cornelius, who turned a late start into a First-Class victory at Ndejje University.
In September 2022, Cornelius began an extraordinary academic pursuit that would redefine his life. Having already earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Makerere University, he returned to university — not for prestige, but for mastery. His heart was set on excellence, and he found a new home at Ndejje University, where he pursued a Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting Option).
Unlike many first-year entrants, Cornelius stepped into Ndejje’s lecture rooms with experience, clarity, and determination. “I knew what I wanted,” he recalls. “My target was a Second Class Upper with a CGPA of 4.0 and above.” Yet, what unfolded over the next two years far exceeded his expectations.
His story began with a late start. Joining the semester nearly a month behind schedule, his first class was an online lecture for Business Management. During that session, a lecturer posed a difficult question that left the class silent. Although he had just joined, Cornelius confidently answered — earning two marks initially meant for the presenting group. “It wasn’t about the marks,” he says. “It was about proving to myself that I could rise above delay.”
Behind that confidence was quiet preparation. With the help of supportive course coordinators Ritah and Rogers, he caught up on missed work and settled in quickly. That single moment became a turning point — the start of a journey grounded in resilience, readiness, and relationships.
Cornelius soon embraced discussions as his secret weapon. “Discussions played the biggest role,” he explains. “I had to read ahead and in depth because I knew there were sharp students who could ask serious questions.” His consistency paid off, earning him a remarkable 4.92 GPA in his second semester.
To sustain that momentum, he formed a group he called Team Cornelius — a dynamic circle of students united by collaboration, not competition. “I promised to reward anyone who defeated me in a course,” he laughs. “I didn’t have the money to fulfill that promise, but it pushed me to work even harder.”
Team Cornelius became more than a study group; it was a family bound by purpose and faith. “I anchored our journey in Amos 3:3 — ‘Can two walk together unless they are agreed?’” Cornelius shares. Under his mentorship, every member excelled:
- Ssempijja Rogers and Nami Gloria Brenda graduated with First Class Honours.
- Several others, including Masereka Vicent, Ropani Christine, Mutebi Joseph, Karungi Irene, and Nalunkuuma Ritah, earned Second Class Upper Honours with CGPAs between 3.6 and 4.35.
- Ambikiire Bonitah and Anthea Daria, still completing their studies, are also on track for excellence.
“No one in Team Cornelius scored below a CGPA of 3.6,” he proudly notes. “I didn’t just teach; I invested emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually in their success.”
His family’s influence also fueled his drive. His father continually encouraged him to maintain good grades and “see the goodness of getting good grades.” His uncle, meanwhile, promised UGX 100,000 for every A grade — a promise that remains unpaid, but one that inspired 24 well-earned As.
One remark from the same uncle would later define Cornelius’ purpose. “He once told me that the only thing that could save me from joblessness was a First Class,” Cornelius recalls. Though initially stung, he turned those words into motivation. “He wasn’t belittling me,” he says. “He saw my potential and challenged me to rise to it.”
And rise he did. Semester after semester, Cornelius maintained a GPA above 4.7, finally graduating with a CGPA of 4.82, earning a First-Class Honours degree in Business Administration (Accounting) — the best in his faculty.
But for Cornelius, graduation is not the end — it’s the beginning. With a deep love for learning and a heart grounded in faith, he plans to pursue CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) qualifications to strengthen both his local and international expertise.
“I believe true mastery goes beyond academic excellence,” he says. “It’s about professional growth, integrity, and impact.”
Cornelius dreams of using his skills to help businesses grow, advise clients ethically, and serve Uganda’s financial sector with excellence. “I want to make my father proud,” he adds, “showing him that his investment wasn’t just worthwhile, but transformative.”
His story is a powerful reminder that academic excellence is not luck — it’s the product of preparation, discipline, collaboration, and belief. As Cornelius puts it,
“Know what you want. Engage deeply. Read widely. And never underestimate the power of discussion.”
