The third session of the 68th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University held on 18th January 2018 was dedicated to the Makerere University Business School (MUBS), as the School presented a total of 3,611 graduands for the conferment of degrees and the award of diplomas.

The spotlight on the day rested on Ms. Namyenya Caroline; the best Humanities and best overall student, who attained a First Class Honours Degree in Bachelor of Commerce with a CGPA of 4.95. For her excellent performance, the high scoring student from MUBS received a plaque, UGX1million and an assortment of souvenirs from the Makerere University Convocation which were presented to her by the Chancellor, Prof. Ezra Suruma.

On the same day the Acting Director Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, Dr. Euzobia Baine Mugisha recognised Ms. Nabunya Gladys as the best student of the Female Scholarship Foundation at Makerere University. Ms. Nabunya graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in the Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a CGPA of 4.72 from MUBS.

The Chancellor congratulated the graduands upon reaching the coveted milestone in their academic journey and advised them to always value the degrees attained. “The degrees we are awarding you today testify to your discipline and commitment and to your capacity to face and overcome the hardships and pains and tears of academic struggle. Your graduation testifies to the world that in the face of adversity, poverty, deprivation, doubt and danger, you have exhibited determination and survival. Today you stand tall among the survivors and heroes of academic wars,” he said.

He appealed to graduands to use the knowledge and experience they have attained during their academic journey to save the African nations from the alarming financial challenges when he said, “Thousands of Ugandans bear deep scars from lost battles as they attempted to form, own and sustain Ugandan banks. Anyone who thinks that neo-colonialism is dead is either ignorant or a liar. The battle for us to control and direct our economic destiny is as urgent and as serious as ever.”

The Chancellor urged students to always fight for and strongly defend the dignity of the African nations and the African people in particular from being openly attacked and abused by countries from other continents. “So stop resting on your laurels and expecting that you are now ready to sit back and relax. No. You are now ready to join the war for the economic and intellectual emancipation of the African people,” he remarked.

The Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended the Principal, Management and Staff of MUBS for the continued improvement in teaching and the tangible developments that have been made in the academic curriculum. He acknowledged the efforts of the management in enlarging the financial and knowledge base of the School through Corporate Social Responsibility as well as knowledge transfer partnerships and networking.

“This development has been extended to the Luzira Upper Maximum Prison and currently 90 inmates are enrolled on both certificate and diploma programmes of Makerere University Business School. Additionally, MUBS contributes computers, paints the prison facilities and annually holds a symbolic graduation ceremony in the prison to motivate the inmates and help them think about life after prison,” he said.

Prof. Nawangwe applauded the School for building an incubation hub that is intended not only to create employment but also to tap into good ideas and innovations that students and members of public have to offer. According to Prof.Nawangwe a number of entrepreneurship programmes are currently being run by the School through the Entrepreneurship Centre, all intended to nurture entrepreneurship not only among the students but also the general public.

He thanked the Government of Uganda for constructing the Faculty of Computing and Management Science block with funding from the African Development bank and also commended the leadership of the MUBS for using internally generated funds and support from Government to undertake several other projects around the School.

The Principal, Makerere University Business School Prof. Wasswa Balunywa advised students to always have a positive and all-encompassing approach towards work in order to make the desired difference in community. He emphasized discipline among graduands and encouraged them to develop and expand their job environment through prudent management of soft skills.

“You are going out to the world, which expects a lot from you. We have trained you to be critical thinkers and not mere job seekers. Go out and create the jobs the Country is yearning for. With a degree from one of the best universities in the world, there is no reason for not succeeding. As business experts, you are in position to be at the forefront of changing the economy. Make the degree you have obtained count, have integrity and transform the world,” he said.

Please see Downloads for Speeches

Article by: Mak Public Relations Office.