United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) has opposed Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli’s bid to be included in the university’s graduation ceremony scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026. The university told the court that Masengeli had not shown that he had completed all the compulsory requirements for graduation or formally applied to graduate with the September cohort.
USIU-Africa said it remained willing to assist Masengeli in completing any outstanding steps in the graduation process. However, the institution maintained that he could only graduate once he had satisfied all the requirements of his programme. The university’s position was presented in response to a petition filed by Masengeli, who had asked the court to issue conservatory orders stopping the scheduled graduation or directing USIU-Africa to include his name on the list of graduates.
Court Declines to Stop Graduation
Lady Justice Patricia Mande declined to suspend the September 26 graduation, noting that such an order would have consequences for students who were not parties to the case. The judge held that stopping the entire ceremony would potentially interfere with the interests of other students who had completed their academic requirements and were due to graduate.
The court therefore rejected Masengeli’s request for an order halting the graduation ceremony. Justice Mande also found that Masengeli had not demonstrated that USIU-Africa or his academic supervisor had given him a specific assurance that he would graduate alongside the September 26 cohort.
Dispute Over PhD Graduation
The case centres on Masengeli’s PhD programme in International Relations, which he began at USIU-Africa in September 2021. According to documents filed in court, Masengeli completed his coursework and examinations before moving to the dissertation phase.
He defended his dissertation proposal in December 2025 and subsequently obtained the necessary approvals before submitting his dissertation for examination. His legal team, led by Senior Counsel Cecil Miller and lawyer Danstan Omari, argued that the dispute was not about the academic quality or substance of his dissertation. Instead, they maintained that the petition concerned the university’s administrative process and whether Masengeli had complied with the requirements communicated to him.
Emails Did Not Guarantee Graduation
The court examined emails included in Masengeli’s supporting documents but concluded that they did not contain a clear commitment from the university or his supervisor that he would be part of the September graduation ceremony. Justice Mande consequently dismissed Masengeli’s application dated September 8, 2026. The court directed that the costs of the application would be determined alongside the outcome of the main petition.
Main Petition to Be Fast-Tracked
Following the dismissal, the court issued timelines aimed at expediting the hearing of the main petition. USIU-Africa was given seven days to file and serve a supplementary replying affidavit. Masengeli was granted five days to file and serve a further affidavit and written submissions.
The university was also directed to file and serve its written submissions within seven days. Masengeli was further allowed to file supplementary submissions within three days after being served with the university’s submissions.
The matter will return before the court on October 21, 2026, when parties are expected to confirm compliance with the directions and receive further directions on the highlighting of their submissions. For now, the September 26 graduation ceremony will proceed, while the question of Masengeli’s graduation remains subject to the determination of the main petition.
