During the Second Session held on Wednesday 22^nd February 2017 in the Freedom Square, a total of 4, 483 graduands were presented to the Chancellor, Prof. Ezra Suruma for conferment of Makerere University and award of diplomas in the respective disciplines.

The 67^th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University kicked off on Tuesday 21^st February 2017.The following Colleges presented graduands during the Second Session:

·         College of Business and Management Sciences—-2,218 graduands

·         College of Computing and Information Sciences—1,368 graduands

·         College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security—314 graduands

·         College of Health Sciences—583 graduands

After the Anthems, Rev. Fr. Josephat Ddungu, Chaplain − Makerere University St. Augustine Chapel dedicated the graduands, University leadership and the congregation to the Almighty God. The Chaplain glorified God for the gift of life, the gift of graduands, the continuous growth of Makerere University, and the gift of the rain. He appealed to the Almighty God to bless the graduands with employment, wisdom and a fruitful life.

Amidst jubilation, the Chancellor Professor Suruma congratulated the overjoyed graduands upon their academic achievement. He commended the graduands for the spirit of hard work, endurance and self control. He urged the graduands to use the knowledge and skills acquired to contribute to the betterment of society, and in the execution of duty and/or face of challenges and trials, to remain kind and loving.

“Now the hour has come for you to go out to the field, to fight the good fight, to run the race for which you have been preparing. I hope you will remember love in the middle of the tough battles ahead. I hope you will struggle for the possibility of joy in a sad world. Ponder the possibility of godliness and contentment in a broken world. Remember love in a loveless world,” remarked the Chancellor.

Chancellor Suruma congratulated members of staff who rose to the rank of Professor for their tremendous contribution to academia, knowledge discourse, policy formulation, and mentorship of the next generation of academics and leaders.

Addressing the congregation, the Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu highlighted a number of institutional achievements at the national and international levels including breakthroughs in research and innovations realized by staff and students in the aforementioned colleges.

The Vice Chancellor urged graduands to use the education skills and experience they received from Makerere University to add value to Uganda’s development process and consolidate the gains that have been scored.

 “Go out of the gates of Makerere University with passion, with a determination to use your knowledge to improve yourself, your family and your country. Always remember your alma mater– Makerere University,” Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu said.

Recognizing academic excellence, the Chancellor Prof. Suruma handed over a plaque, cash prize of one million shillings and an assortment of souvenirs from Makerere University Convocation to the best performing student in the Science based disciplines. Mr. Mukalele Rogers scored a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.91, Bachelor of Information Technology (First Class-Honours) degree.  The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu congratulated Mr. Mukalele Rogers as well as the leadership and staff from the College of Computing and Information Sciences upon this academic milestone.

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) recognized the best performing student – Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Option). The Chancellor together with the representative of ACCA, Ms Dorothy Mutabaazi handed over a plaque and an education grant of 2.7million shillings to Mr. Bukenya Eddy who scored a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.45 (First Class Honours) degree.

The Department of Performing Arts and Film led by their Head; Associate Professor Sylvia Antonia Nannyonga-Tamusuza and the Police Band entertained the congregation.

To detailed speeches are provided below:

Speech by the Chancellor, Professor Ezra Suruma
Speech by the Chairperson Makerere University Council Eng. Dr Wana Etyem
Speech by the Vice Chancellor, Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu

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