The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | When Chris Kassami set out to encourage students at Vienna College to take Economics seriously, he wanted the subject to extend beyond the classroom.
Nearly a decade after his death, that idea has returned to the school in the form of the Chris Kassami Memorial Economics Award, recognising students who excel in the subject while keeping alive the legacy of the former economist and Vienna College board chairman.
The inaugural award was presented during the release of the 2026 Cambridge International examination results, with five students nominated for their performance in Economics.
Heath Mulondo Walugembe emerged as the overall winner after scoring 91 per cent. Kigundu Abdulrahman, Twesige Melody Kukundakwe and Amiya Reanna Adubangu were among the other top performers, each scoring 90 per cent.
Daniella Mugenda was also recognised for her performance in the June A2 Cambridge examinations last year.
The award was revived by the school in partnership with the Kassami family, drawing on an initiative started by Kassami before his death in 2016.
Jasi Kassami, his son and a director at Vienna College Namugongo, said the award was part of his father’s efforts to promote Economics among young people.
“Before my father passed on in 2016, he had started an initiative at Vienna College to award the best-performing student in Economics with a physical prize and a cash prize of Shs1 million,” Jasi said.
An archival video played during the ceremony showed Kassami speaking about his commitment to promoting Economics.
He said he wanted to do everything possible to promote the subject, including beyond Vienna College, while joking that he was being “a little selfish” by rewarding students who performed well in Economics at the school.
The revival of the award comes as schools increasingly seek ways of linking academic achievement with practical disciplines that shape Uganda’s economy.
For Vienna College, the award is also intended to give students an incentive to excel in a subject closely connected to public policy, business and national development.
For one of this year’s nominees, however, Economics is not necessarily the destination.
Amia Rihanna Adubangu, who was recognised among the top performers, said Economics has been one of her strongest subjects, but her interest in advocating for women and children has led her towards a career in Law.
She plans to study Law at the University of Birmingham.
Economics will nevertheless remain relevant to her academic path, she said, given its connection to the study of law and the wider forces that shape society.
The school leadership said the award would now become an annual recognition for the best Economics student.
Vienna College Principal Muhammed Kakiika said the results reflected the combined effort of students, parents and teachers.
“Vienna is known for excellence, and we thank the students, parents and the entire staff of Vienna College. Today we received our A2 Cambridge results and the students have made us super proud,” Kakiika said.
He said the economics award builds on an initiative Kassami began about 15 years ago and will now continue as a permanent feature of the school’s academic calendar.
Kassami’s career extended well beyond education.
He served as Uganda’s chief Government Economist and Secretary to the Treasury and was a former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
His involvement with Vienna College brought his professional interest in economics into the school environment, where he sought to encourage students to engage with the discipline at an early stage.
The memorial award now provides a link between that legacy and a new generation of students.
