General
Second Session of the 67th Mak Graduation Ceremony: Over 4000 students graduate
During the Second Session held on Wednesday 22nd 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 67th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University kicked off on Tuesday 21st 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
Mak Public Relations Office
General
Prof. Nawangwe urges young people to take up leadership in innovation for the transformation of Africa
By the Program Communication Team
On Sunday, February 2, 2025, Makerere University hosted the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council Representatives meeting, which brings together young people from around 45 partner universities of the Mastercard Foundation.
During the event, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe urged young people to prepare for leadership roles in innovation, especially starting with their communities, if they wish to see the positive transformation they desire in Africa.
“I urge you to connect and network with your peers and discuss how you can form inter-university teams to innovate solutions that will address the development challenges in our communities for the transformation of the African continent.” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.
Prof. Nawangwe applauded the Mastercard Foundation for its partnership with Makerere University and Uganda in general, which has uplifting effects on many young people.
“Makerere University and Uganda have made remarkable strides in providing Higher Education to Young People, thanks to the generous support of the Mastercard Foundation, which has contributed significantly to educating the next generation of African leaders. Through valuable initiatives and partnerships, such as the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Makerere University is poised to continue educating young individuals who will significantly impact Uganda’s and Africa’s economic growth.” Prof. Nawangwe noted.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nawangwe, further urged young people to seize the opportunities the Mastercard Foundation and other like-minded development partners presented to improve their lives and communities.
“The Mastercard Foundation has given you the platform and opportunity to be leaders and beacons of change. Embrace this responsibility with courage. Let the core values of the Scholars Program—humility, listening, kindness and respect, co-creation, and impact—guide your actions,” Prof. Nawangwe emphasized.
While speaking at the same event, the Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, enumerated high-level achievements the Program had accomplished for the last decade at Makerere University. She pointed out that in terms of scholarship enrolment, the Program had recruited 1,032 Scholars, of which 76% were Females, 7% were Internationals, 4% were Refugees, and about 1% were Youth with Disabilities.
Prof. Namaalwa further pointed out other post-graduation achievements, including a 94% completion rate of the total number of Scholars enrolled in the Scholars Program. She pointed out that between 2018 and 2025, the Program had graduated 964 Scholars, of which 37% were employed, mainly in the private sector.
Prof. Namaalwa revealed that beyond the Scholars Program, the Mastercard Foundation had put other initiatives supporting the university in numerous ways. She pointed out other initiatives such as the e-learning initiative, a COVID-19 Response measure to ensure continuity of Teaching and Learning at Makerere University and the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative: Makerere University, in collaboration with the University of Ghana, the University of Cape Town, and the University of Cambridge, is implementing a new initiative that addresses one of the world’s most significant challenges in recent times—climate change.
Prof. Namaalwa revealed that the Research Collaborative would provide opportunities for MSc and PhD scholarships to African students and encourage young people to enrol as graduate students starting in the academic year 2025/2026.
The event was punctuated with fireside chats, during which young people had an opportunity to discuss a number of topical issues related to entrepreneurship and Transformative leadership. Thereafter, the visiting students were taken on a guided tour around Makerere University.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council comprises student leaders from partner Universities. Each Partner University has one Council Representative. They represent the needs of Scholars and work with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program teams at each institution, the Mastercard Foundation, and Alumni.
On Monday 3rd February 2025, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe handed over three (3) university buses to the respective leadership in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), the College of Health Sciences (CHS), and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB).
The new buses mark a significant improvement in mobility and learning for Makerere University students and staff, furthering the institution’s commitment to practical education and community service.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held at the University’s Freedom Square, Prof. Nawangwe highlighted the significance of the new buses in enhancing teaching and learning. “These buses will play a crucial role in improving students’ practical learning experiences by ensuring reliable transportation for fieldwork and community outreach,” he said.
Prof. Nawangwe expressed gratitude to the Parliament and the Government of Uganda for providing the resources for the new buses, emphasizing their importance in replacing the old fleet, which frequently breaks down. The new 2023 model buses, with a 67-seater capacity, were secured at a cost of UGX 626million each and are expected to save the university significant maintenance costs and improve the learning experience for students.
Principals from the respective colleges expressed their appreciation for the new buses. Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, Principal of CoVAB, emphasized the importance of the buses for practical training at locations such as Lake Mburo National Park. Associate Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, Principal of CAES, and Associate Prof. Bruce Kirenga, Principal of CHS, highlighted the buses’ role in facilitating community engagement and outreach.
He explained that the decision to purchase Isuzu buses instead of those manufactured by Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) a Makerere University partner, was based on prior engagement with the former, as well as the need to utilize the allocated funds promptly within the Financial Year, which couldn’t be accomplished at KMC due to their high demand.
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