New CUEA Vice-Chancellor Engages Religious Community, Outlines Vision for the University

In his first public engagement with CUEA stakeholders following his assumption of office, the new Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Prof. Elias Omondi Opongo, SJ , met with priests, sisters and brothers serving at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) over lunch on Tuesday, 1st September 2026 .

During the engagement, Rev. Prof. Opongo outlined six pillars that will guide his leadership and the University’s ethos of operation:

Collegiality and Shared Purpose

Academic Growth and Wealth Creation

Catholic Identity and Human Flourishing

Responsibility, Accountability and Stewardship

Research, Innovation and Regional Impact

Creative Fidelity, Leadership and Courage for Change

The Vice-Chancellor particularly called upon members of the religious community to play a leading role in promoting and strengthening CUEA’s Catholic identity.

“CUEA is proudly Catholic. But our Catholic identity must be visible especially in how we treat people. We welcome Christians, Muslims, Bahá’ís, Hindus and people of other faiths. Every human person is created in the image and likeness of God and therefore possesses inherent dignity. We must be deeply Catholic and genuinely welcoming.”

Rev. Prof. Opongo also acknowledged the progress made under the leadership of his predecessor, Very Rev. Prof. Stephen Mbugua Ngari , noting that the University’s transformation journey was on firm ground.

“We inherit sacrifices, achievements, struggles and dreams of our predecessors. Our responsibility is to build on what is good, address what needs improvement and leave CUEA stronger than we found it.”