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The Chancellor’s speech on the 59th Graduation Ceremony

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It is with great pleasure that I once again stand before you to preside over the 59th graduation ceremony as I celebrate one year as Chancellor of this great University. Let me take this opportunity to wish you a happy and prosperous 2009. This is a time when a lot of us make resolutions on what we would love to achieve and as a University we should resolve to do things that should take us to greater heights.

It is with great pleasure that I once again stand before you to preside over the 59th graduation ceremony as I celebrate one year as Chancellor of this great University. Let me take this opportunity to wish you a happy and prosperous 2009. This is a time when a lot of us make resolutions on what we would love to achieve and as a University we should resolve to do things that should take us to greater heights.

We must also take stock of our shortcomings in the past academic year and find solutions to the same.

At this point I would like to thank the University Council, the Vice Chancellor and his management team, members of staff, students’ government as well as our development partners and other stakeholders for the achievements over the last one year and for the immense support you have shown in my role as Chancellor. It is worth mentioning that the last academic year was characterized by relative tranquillity on campus. Therefore less was spent on conflict resolution and much time lent to productive activities.

Chancellor MUK

The Graduands
To the graduands who have brought us here today, please accept my hearty congratulations on your achievements. Graduation day is a major milestone in the academic life of an individual. It is the culmination of many years of dedication to the search for knowledge and skills that prepare you for the long and hard struggles of your adult life. That is why you must be reminded that graduation is not an end itself but a springboard.

The benefits are many if you position yourself right to take advantage of life’s many opportunities. May each of you go on to achieve more in the life ahead as you leave the gates of Makerere University into the world out there.

A substantial number of students have performed very well and obtained first class honours degrees in various disciplines. This reflects positively on the teaching standards and I applaud the staff and students for the hard work. I cannot emphasize enough that we need to work extra hard and as coherently over the next year as any good team should to improve the standards at Makerere. That should be our single most important resolution for 2009.

In this connection I’m constrained to mention that I have received a lot of complaints about unduly delayed results. Consequently for no fault of theirs, there are students who will not graduate now. It is imperative that work by both students and staff is streamlined so that every event takes place predictably when it is due. Availability of transcripts is another issue that must be addressed. The rampant forging of transcripts must be stopped.

The parents
In the same breath, I thank the parents, guardians and sponsors for all the support they provided to the graduands throughout their studies at the university. Indeed for many parents raising the money to pay your children’s fees has been a nightmare. Your sacrifice to afford your children’s education cannot be over emphasized. The journey has not been smooth, with many obstacles and hardships along the way and we empathize with you. That is why we celebrate with you when we arrive at this milestone – the graduation of our children, spouses, brothers, and sisters among others.

Yes it is a great thing to see the fruit of your struggle since your children were conceived by their mothers. But I would like to share with you what I consider a significant omission on your part. I can compare you children’s education at Makerere University and other Institutions to a garden. When you plant seeds you have to make sure they grow well through weeding, may be application of fertilizers and other chemicals leading to good yield. I have noticed over the past that you parents pay little or no attention to what sort of product (education) your children get at Makerere University. First there is the academic achievement. But equally if not more important is the type of character these graduands develop while here. A banana plantation that is not attended to will give a very poor yield. So will other crops.

 

Chancellor MUK

I would like to appeal to you to be more actively involved in the activities of this University. The law should provide for you to be members of Convocation, or any other organization through which you can influence policy and other aspects of a University.

………

At this juncture allow me to single out the one great achievement by our students. This concerns a group in the Faculty of Technology who under the leadership of Dr. Tagboa and a student named Ntambi. These students competed with and defeated the whole of Africa to participate in the development of a new modern car. Their contribution is in the design of the electrical system. As you all know the world is concerned about environmental destruction. This care will be fuel efficient (80km/liter) and therefore significantly reduce pollution. Aren’t you happy that some of your children are known all over the world working in collaboration with institutions like MIT, Harvard University and General Motors to mention but a few.

I want this team to stand up for recognition.

Students  Students

 

For the full speech Click here to download

Denis Wamala

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Admission Lists -Disability and District Quota Schemes 2025/26

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The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released the admission list of candidates admitted under the Disability and District Quota Schemes with Government sponsorship 2025/26 Academic Year.

Kindly follow the links below to access the lists:-

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Change of Course/Programme for Undergraduate Admissions 2025/2026

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Makerere Convocation to Host a CEOs/Investors’ Round Table Summit 2025

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Makerere University Convocation (MUC) CEOs/Investors’ Round Table Summit on Tuesday, 2nd September 2025, 8:00AM-12:00PM, Convocation Grounds. Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

By Elvis Lubanga

Kampala, Uganda – Makerere University Convocation (MUC) is set to host the CEOs/Investors’ Round Table Summit on Tuesday, 2nd September 2025, bringing together a distinguished assembly of leaders and stakeholders.

The half-day summit will convene CEOs, investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers, innovators, and development partners to engage in meaningful dialogue, foster collaboration, and explore investment opportunities that can unlock the potential of Uganda’s next generation of talent. Running under the theme: “Exploring the Opportunities for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Value Creation for Accelerated Socio-Economic Integration and Development of Sub-Saharan Africa,” the event reflects Makerere University’s ambition to position itself as a hub of knowledge, innovation, and transformation.

The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja will officiate as the Chief Guest, while Dr. Peter Kimbowa, CEO of the CEO Summit Uganda, will deliver the keynote address. Their participation underscores the importance of the summit in strengthening linkages between academia, industry, and government, and in advancing Uganda’s broader socio-economic transformation agenda.

Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, will welcome the invited participants and highlighted the university’s determination to work collaboratively with partners to shape impactful solutions for Uganda and the region.

“We want to work with you to see how, together, we can move our country and continent forward. I invited all of you CEOs to Makerere so that we can brainstorm on what we can do to transform our nation and Africa at large,” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.

According to Ms. Grace Cherotich Ruto, Chief Convener of the summit and Vice Chairperson of the Makerere University Convocation, this will be the first event of its kind. She noted that the summit seeks to foster mentorship, internships, and employment linkages as a means of bridging the gap between industry and academia, while positioning Convocation as a driver of socio-economic transformation.

A key highlight of the summit will be the unveiling of the Makerere University Convocation’s Massive Transformation Purpose, a bold framework that converts five critical takeaways into independent working teams with clear Terms of Reference, objectives, data-driven activities, and measurable outcomes. The plan institutionalizes vision, distributes ownership, and ensures sustainability through quarterly reporting, evidence-based impact, and global benchmarking. The five teams—From Ivory Tower to Impact Tower, Diaspora Dividend vs. Brain Drain, Intergenerational Knowledge Bridges, AI & Future of Learning, and From Convocation to Covenant—are designed to commercialize research, harness diaspora capital, institutionalize mentorship, drive digital transformation, and sustain alumni–faculty–student engagement through a covenant model. Collectively, they transform Convocation from a ceremonial event into a movement of accountability, innovation, and sustainable socio-economic impact for Uganda and Africa.

The summit has already attracted wide endorsement from leading companies and agencies, demonstrating its timeliness and relevance.

Mr. Eugene Too, General Manager at Haco Industries, affirmed the company’s support, stating:

“Haco Industries endorses the Makerere University CEOs Forum. We believe the Summit’s objectives align with our broader goals of creating impact in education, supporting internships, job placement, and mentorship programs in Sub-Saharan Africa. We are proud to be associated with the Summit at Makerere University Convocation.”

Eng. Shaft Mukwaya, Secretary to the Equal Opportunities Commission of Uganda, commended the Convocation’s role in promoting inclusivity:

“Makerere University Convocation has proven to be a steadfast ally in achieving our mission of pursuing an inclusive society in which no one is left behind. We are honoured to be associated with this summit.”

Roofings Uganda has equally expressed strong endorsement, noting that the event aligns closely with their corporate vision:

“At Roofings, we are privileged to endorse the Makerere University Convocation CEOs/Investors’ Summit and call upon all invited guests to be part of this noble cause. Makerere University is a valued partner in nurturing talent and fostering innovation, which aligns closely with our vision of being an accelerator for a sustainable Africa. As sponsors, we are honoured to be associated with this summit that brings together leaders, investors, and visionaries to shape inclusive growth and development.”

With its broad stakeholder support, clear strategic framework, and focus on outcomes, the Makerere University Convocation’s CEOs/Investors’ Round Table Summit is positioned as a landmark event. It will provide a unique platform for academia, industry, and government to converge in pursuit of sustainable growth, innovation, and socio-economic development, not only for Uganda but for the entire Sub-Saharan African region.

Mak Editor

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