This colorful graduation ceremony has a total of 12,346 students graduating with PhDs, Masters degrees, bachelors degrees and diplomas in various fields, and this is the biggest ever number of graduands ever in a year. Of this number, there are 30 PhDs.
This colorful graduation ceremony has a total of 12,346 students graduating with PhDs, Masters degrees, bachelors degrees and diplomas in various fields, and this is the biggest ever number of graduands ever in a year. Of this number, there are 30 PhDs.
Welcome remarks
It is with great pleasure that I once again welcome you to Makerere University on the 59th graduation ceremony. You are all most welcome. Let me also take this opportunity to wish you a happy and prosperous 2009. As a university we have began the New Year with hope that it will be a good year for us as we seek to take Makerere to greater heights.
Graduation Statistics
This week we have a total of 12,346 students graduating with PhDs, Masters degrees, bachelors degrees and diplomas in various fields, and this is the biggest ever number of graduands ever in a year. Of this number, there are 30 PhDs. This is also an increase from the last graduation. Of these, five (5) are female and 25 male. Mr. Chancellor Sir, four (4) of these are Joint PhDs in Medicine awarded jointly by Makerere University and the Karolinska Institute of Sweden.
A total of 878 students are graduating with masters degrees, of which 336 are female and 542 are male. In addition, 34 female and 76 male students making a total of 110 are graduating with Post Graduate diplomas while 231 are undergraduate diplomas, with 126 female and 105 male.
The majority of graduands this week are undergraduates with 5197 female and 5900 male totalling 11,097.
The female graduands make up 46.2% while the males are 53.8%. Mr. Chancellor Sir, the percentage figures clearly indicate that we are making great strides in our efforts to educate more female students and make Makerere a truly equal opportunities institution in line with the National objectives of empowering the women. You will recall Sir, that last year we had 43.7% females and 57.3% male. These figures show that the gap has closed significantly and we will soon realise parity.
A total of 180 of the graduands this week have attained First Class degrees and I would like us all to commend them on their achievement. Last year we had 58 First Class degrees. This brings to mind the old joke that either the examinations were easy or the students are becoming cleverer or both. Whichever of these, I certainly commend them on their achievement.
Mr. Chancellor Sir, the best student overall this year is Ishengoma Emmanuel who scored a CGPA of 4.91 out of 5.0 in Bachelor of Industrial and Fine Arts. He is also the best in the humanities. Mr. Olaka Joseph Derrick performed best in the Sciences with a CGPA of 4.86 with a BSc in Computer Science.
While there are significant challenges in managing the increasing numbers of university students, the bigger number of graduands is a testimony to the role Makerere plays in meeting the vast demand for higher education in the country and in helping to build a human resource for national development.
The Biomedical Engineering Unit, Department of Physiology at Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS), Uganda in conjunction with Case Western Reserve University, USA received a grant from the U.S. NIH – Fogarty International Center to train Ugandans in Biomedical Engineering (BME). This program’s main aim is to build capacity for medical technology innovation and develop human capacity interested in research in Biomedical Engineering.
As such, this program is currently soliciting for applications from suitably qualified Ugandans for Scholarships that will lead to the award of Engineering or closely related degree. MSc students from these programs at Makerere University are highly encouraged to apply: Technology Innovation and Industrial Development from College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Computer Science (CoCIS) and Immunology and Clinical Microbiology, Masters of Health informatics, Master of Bioinformatics (CHS) but also open to closely related degrees. Funding for tuition, stipend and research costs will be available for a maximum of one academic year (Masters of Science).
A modest monthly stipend and reasonable research funds will be provided. Students are required to pick up to 2 topics those in the table (see downloads) indicating good reasons for the choice. The candidates should strictly limit their application to these preselected projects.
Selection Criteria:
Minimum qualifications: Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in an in Engineering or Health-related field from a recognized university
Projects only limited to the preselected ones- the candidate will then develop a MSc concept/proposal based on these
Technology focus of biomaterials and drug delivery, point-of-care diagnostics, biomedical imaging, and data analytics and artificial intelligence.
Evidence of good performance in year one of MSc program is a requirement
Applicants should be ready and willing to undergo oral interviews
Submit only the following documents as a single PDF file to sightproject2022@gmail.com and indicate in the subject “Scholarship MSc Application 2025”.
The Program Director for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, Prof Justine Namaalwa, has urged Scholars to uphold Makerere and Mastercard Foundation values during the holiday period.
Speaking at the family day event held on Monday, May 19, 2025 at the Rugby grounds at Makerere University, Prof Namaalwa emphasized the importance of integrity, responsibility and community engagement, encouraging Scholars to be ambassadors of positive change even while away from campus.
“As you return to your homes and countries, I encourage you to volunteer your time and data to support prospective applicants for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, as the application process is online. You will feel fulfilled when someone you supported earns the scholarship. Do not ask for a single coin just offer your help and proudly uphold the Makerere flag.” Prof. Namaalwa, noted.
Prof. Justine Namaalwa enjoys a fun moment with teams that took part in the sack race.
In her speech, Prof. Namaalwa also challenged Scholars to lead, serve, and uplift their communities, emphasizing the need to make transformational leadership a lived reality. She called upon Scholars to engage in community-based learning activities during the holiday period, initiatives that align with their academic programs or personal passions as a way of applying their knowledge and values in meaningful, practical ways.
“When you go back for the holidays, identify a problem in your community that relates to your degree program. It could be an issue like poor sanitation or low immunization rates among children under five. Document the problem and think critically about possible solutions bearing in mind that the issue you choose should inspire an academic research project, an entrepreneurial initiative, or a social venture idea.” Prof.Justine Namaalwa said.
Themed ‘Building and Strengthening Our Bonds’ the Family Day event brought together over 100 Scholars, mentors, and members of the Program Implementation Team of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University. The day was marked by interactive games, storytelling, and meaningful engagement, all aimed at fostering connection, collaboration, and a strong sense of community within the Program.
Participants engage in aerobics.
The day kicked off with a lively aerobics session, setting an energetic tone for the activities ahead. Scholars then participated in a variety of fun and engaging activities including sack races, running competitions, and puzzle challenges. These activities fostered teamwork and excitement, with several Scholars and their family groups walking away with gifts and tokens of appreciation for their participation and enthusiasm.
During the event, Dr. Rodney Rugyema, the Acting Dean of Students, commended the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University for its impactful role in uplifting young people. He highlighted the value of initiatives such as counselling, mentorship, and entrepreneurship support, noting that these programs are instrumental in shaping well-rounded, empowered future leaders.
Dr. Rugyema also took the opportunity to counsel Scholars on responsibility and focus, urging them to avoid engaging in sexual relationships before completing their studies.
Dr. Rodney Rugyema.
“You left home to change home. Do not forget the goal. Be responsible. Avoid engaging in sexual activities that may lead to unintended responsibilities. During the holidays, learn a skill, be productive, or plant trees. Save the environment and be part of the change.”
In his remarks, Derrick Asiimwe, President of the Scholars Association at Makerere University, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Program Implementation Team for their unwavering support. He thanked them for grooming Scholars into leaders, offering comfort during challenging times, and treating them with the care and concern of a parent. His words reflected the deep sense of gratitude and belonging felt by Scholars within the Program.
Derrick Asiimwe.
“It can’t go without mention that you have really loved and disciplined us. You are the true definition of Mathew 19:14 where Jesus said let the children come and not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to us,” Asiimwe, said. The vibrant day came to a close with members of the Shalom family emerging as overall winners, proudly walking away with the trophy a testament to their teamwork, spirit, and active participation throughout the event.
More highlights from the family day
Bottle filling was part of the fun and games.Female participants engage in one of the challenges.Scholars running during the fun and games.Mr. John Osuna (Centre) presents a gift to a participant. Scholars show off their certificates.
The Directorate of Graduate Training has equipped scholarly and communication skills to lecturers on facilitating PhD programs in different schools and colleges.
This was during a training dubbed “Training of Trainers” organized by Directorate of Graduate Training with funding support from the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA). The workshop, conducted in the training lab in the Main University Library, was spearheaded by facilitators from the School of Languages, Literature and Communication, where the course is housed.
Officiating at the training, the Director of Graduate Training at Makerere University, Prof. Julius Kikooma highlighted that the training aimed at strengthening and enhancing the capacity of schools and colleges in handling PhD studies.
“We select a few lecturers, comprehensively train them and we usually have them cascade the knowledge to other lecturers in the different schools and colleges.” Prof. Kikooma said.
Prof. Kikooma said the University had streamlined admissions into the PhD by research program at Makerere University. Presently, there are now two intakes per academic year, highlighting an increase in the number of applicants and admissions.
“Because of the increased number of applicants and admissions, the central management has put great emphasis on improving the environment for teaching, learning, and research for graduate students generally.” He said.
Prof. Kikooma said that in a bid to achieve a better learning environment, the Directorate of Graduate Training had spearheaded efforts to strengthen the capacity of staff in various schools to handle the PhD training.
The training that was supported by CARTA, Prof. Kikooma said “CARTA generally mobilizes resources to support researchers, especially graduate students, including Thesis completion, capacity building of researchers as well as support on actual PhD research.”
He added, “Makerere University prides in collaborations with partners that have resource mobilization power that is bigger than that of universities, saying, these support capacity building and competitive grants for Mak. The partners include the Council for Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) and CARNEGIE, based in New York.”
He however noted that the landscape for development partners continues to shift in terms of emphasis, this was not a sustainable way of supporting graduate training students and called for the need to work aggressively with government departments and agencies including the National Planning Authority to find more sustainable ways for addressing funding for graduate education in the country.
The trainers included Dr. Charles Kato – the Head of Department Biomedical Laboratory Technology and Molecular Biology- College of Veterinary Animal Resources and Biosecurity and Prof. Levis Mugumya, the Head of Department of Linguistics, English Language Studies and Communication Skills at School of Languages Literature & Communication.