Winnie Byanyima bids farewell to son Anselm as he begins PhD studies

Sharing a touching moment on X, Byanyima wrote, "Last Supper! Saying bye to @akbesigye. He leaves to start his new chapter as a PhD student at Columbia University in NYC. Godspeed!"

The announcement sparked a wave of well-wishes for Anselm.

Read: UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima welcomes long-acting HIV treatment

Among the messages of support was one from Balaam Barugahara, Uganda’s Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, who said, “Wishing you a blessed journey, @akbesigye, as you embark on your PhD adventure at one of the best universities in the world (Columbia University) in NYC! May your academic pursuits be fruitful, and your time in the city be enriching. Godspeed, young scholar! Make our country proud! Your success is for our country Uganda."

Back in April, Byanyima, who serves as the Executive Director of UNAIDS, proudly shared that her son with Dr. Kizza Besigye had secured a fully-funded PhD programme at Columbia University.

Anselm was also offered scholarships by prestigious institutions like the University of Oxford and the University of Chicago, showcasing his academic excellence.

Read: Winnie Byanyima is fan of Spice Diana?

Columbia University, founded in 1754 and part of the Ivy League, is renowned for its rich history and esteemed reputation in higher education. Anselm’s acceptance marks a significant achievement, as he continues to follow in the footsteps of his accomplished parents.