By Spy Uganda
Kampala-Vienna College Namugongo has continued to honour the enduring legacy of the late Chris Kassami Adyeeri, a distinguished Ugandan economist and public servant, through the Chris Kassami Memorial Economics Awards, an initiative designed to celebrate academic excellence and inspire young people to uphold the values of hard work, integrity and service that defined his career. 
The awards, held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, brought together students, parents, school administrators and members of the Kassami family to honour outstanding Economics students and reflect on the contribution of the former senior government economist to Uganda’s economic development.
Kassami, born July, 30, 1948 and died March 11, 2016, was Director and Chairman Board of Viena College. A mutooro hailing from Kasusu, Fort Portal, Kabarole District.
He served as Uganda’s Chief Government Economist and Secretary to the Treasury, and also as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. His career was closely associated with economic management, public finance and national development, leaving behind a legacy of professional excellence and service to the country.
Speaking at the event, Vienna College Namugongo Principal Muhammad Kakiika urged students to identify their career aspirations early, preferably while still in Senior Five, rather than waiting until they complete their final examinations.
Kakiika noted that some students already have a clear vision of what they want to become and are deliberately pursuing those ambitions, including seeking opportunities to study abroad.
He also called on parents to support their children’s career choices rather than imposing professions on them. The message was reinforced by one of the parents, who cautioned fellow parents against forcing children into careers they do not desire. The parent observed that a child passionate about Economics, for instance, should not be compelled to pursue Medicine simply because it is regarded as a prestigious profession.
Parents, the meeting heard, should instead identify and nurture their children’s passions, talents and abilities, giving them room to pursue careers in which they can thrive.
Jasi Kassami, a director at Vienna College and heir to the Kassami family legacy, pledged to continue promoting the values his late father represented, particularly academic excellence and commitment to education.
Jasi said the awards would be expanded beyond Economics to other disciplines, including Sciences, to motivate more students to excel academically.
Outstanding Economics students were awarded Shs1 million each as a token of appreciation for their hard work and achievement.
The memorial initiative is significant because it goes beyond remembering Kassami as an accomplished economist. It seeks to translate his legacy into an investment in the next generation, particularly young people who could eventually contribute to Uganda’s economic transformation.
Through rewarding excellence in Economics, the initiative keeps alive the ideals Kassami represented, professional competence, intellectual discipline, public service and commitment to national development.
It also provides students with a practical example of how academic knowledge can be translated into meaningful national service.
The broader vision is therefore to make Kassami’s memory a source of inspiration for generations of young Ugandans, with the awards serving as both a tribute to his contribution and a platform for cultivating future professionals.
“A tribute to excellence. A commitment to the future.”
Rest in power, Chris Kassami Adyeeri, a great son of Tooro, whose vision continues to shape future leaders in his physical absence 👌
