The Chancellor Dr. Crispus Kiyonga conferred PhDs upon 49 candidates during the First Session of the 75^th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University which commenced on Monday 13^th August 2025 in the Freedom Square. The College of Education and External Studies (CEES) presented 28 candidates (the highest for the 75^th Graduation), while the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) and School of Law presented 12 (twelve), 6 (six) and 3 (three) candidates respectively.

The First Session of the Graduation was presided over by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, represented by the Minister of State for Primary Education, Hon. Dr. Joyce Moriku  Kaducu. The Minister in her remarks thanked the Vice Chancellor and University Leadership for the excellent organization and arrangement made for the success of this 75^th Graduation ceremony, and thanked the NRM Government and the Leadership of H.E Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the peace and stability that has provided an environment conducive for learning and teaching to take place. She reiterated Government’s commitment to improving infrastructure at Makerere University and urged Graduands not to despise any jobs but start humble and trust the Lord to lift them higher.

Addressing the congregation, Dr. Kiyonga, thanked H.E. President Yoweri Museveni and Hon. Janet Museveni for availing him the opportunity to return and serve his Alma Mater as Chancellor. He equally reiterated the Directive by H.E. President Museveni to teach political economy across all courses and called for: Strengthening funding for research work at the University; Building stronger partnerships with the private sector to commercialise innovations at the University; Building structured relationships with the communities; Taking part in building a food security system for the country; and Building a model Agro-industrial park.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor congratulated Dr. Kiyonga upon presiding over his first graduation ceremony as Makerere University Chancellor, as well as the staff, graduands, parents, guardians and sponsors upon celebrating the important milestone. He recognized the best researchers and teachers, who were selected using criteria approved by the Senate. They were presented by the Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi and included:

Early Career Researchers

• Dr. Ndejjo Rawlence, College of Health Sciences (CHS)
• Dr. Omara Timothy, College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS)
• Dr. Bwambale Erion, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)

Mid Career Researchers

• Dr. Musoke David, College of Health Sciences (CHS)
• Dr. Mugabi Robert, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)
• Dr. Manga Musa, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT)

Senior Researchers

• Prof. Kamya Robert, College of Health Sciences (CHS)
• Prof. Kirabira John Baptist, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT)
• Prof. Mugisha Lawrence, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB)
• Prof. Matovu Enock, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB)

Best Evaluated Teachers

• Dr. Wanyama Joshua, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)
• Dr. Lwasa John, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)
• Dr. Musinguzi Patrick, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)
• Dr. Kamulegeya Rogers, College of Health Sciences (CHS)

The commencement lecture at the First Session was delivered by the Vice Chancellor of the University of South Africa (UNISA), Prof. Puleng LenkaBula. It was based on the topic: ‘African Women, reclaim your Generational Mission and Redefine your Worth!’

“Prof. LenkaBula is the first female Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Africa (UNISA) in that institution’s 148-year history and she has been at the helm of that institution since January 2021” shared Prof. Nawangwe as he introduced the Commencement Speaker.

Please see downloads for the detailed speeches.

I warmly congratulate all the Graduands and our hardworking staff upon their perseverance that has culminated into the 75^th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University. This success has been made possible by the sacrifices and diligence of your parents, guardians, sponsors, families and friends. We equally congratulate them upon their respective contributions.

In a special way, I wish to congratulate Hon. Dr. Crispus Kiyonga upon his appointment as Chancellor of Makerere University. Dr. Kiyonga, an alumnus of Makerere University, has had a distinguished career as a Physician, Statesman and Diplomat, and thus, is well positioned to serve as titular head of this great institution, especially as we continue to strategically align with Government programmes to drive high technology innovation, commercialisation of research outputs and wealth creation.

Makerere University by virtue of her status as a Government institution and a globally acclaimed University continues to enjoy generous funding from the Government of Uganda as well as our development partners. This funding has enabled us to boost our research capacity through training staff at Masters, PhD and Post-doctoral level, produce more research and innovations, improve our laboratory infrastructure, grow our international networks and contribute to the attainment of National Development Priorities as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

I am happy to note that with the support of Government through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF), we have not only been able to fund a number of innovations that are set for commercialization, but also supported PhD Research that addresses national development priorities.

I equally applaud our development partners whose generous support has contributed to training staff, conducting research and the establishment of Innovation Hubs aimed at creating job opportunities for our young people.

On 22nd October 2024, Makerere University in partnership with Kiira Motors Corporation, and UNDP Uganda, launched the Skilling Programme in Electric Mobility and Associated Technologies, aimed at building the required pool of young people to drive Uganda’s electric mobility and related technologies for industrial application. Additionally, on 19th November 2024, we signed an MoU with The Innovation Village to establish the Research2Industry (R2I) platform. The platform will provide infrastructure that fosters innovation and resource sharing as well as streamline the path from research to commercialization through funding mechanisms that remove barriers and accelerate impact.

Therefore, as you leave the gates of Makerere today, I wish to reassure you that your alma mater remains committed to not only providing impactful education, but also nurturing innovations and partnerships that contribute to your employability and our national development priorities.

Once again, I congratulate the Graduands, our staff, parents, guardians and sponsors upon achieving this milestone and pray that God will grant you good health and keep you safe, as We Build for the Future.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe
VICE CHANCELLOR

The 75^th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University will be held at the Freedom Square. A total of 143 PhDs (64 female, 79 male), 1,813 Masters (768 female, 1,045 male), 243 Postgraduate Diplomas (96 female, 147 male), 11,455 Undergraduate Degrees (6,369 female, 5,086 male), and 8 Undergraduate Diplomas (2 female, 6 male) will be graduating from all the Colleges.

Mr. Abdul Latif Umar Bagoole emerged as the best overall and best student in the Humanities with a CGPA of 4.97 in the Bachelor of Leisure and Hospitality Management. Mr. Mubiru Enock Joel emerged as the best student in the Sciences with a CGPA of 4.91 in the Bachelor of Science.

Keynote Speakers

• Professor Lenkabula Puleng, Vice Chancellor, University of South Africa (UNISA)
• Dr. Dorothy Kyeyune, Chief Executive Officer, Mwoyo Experience
• Olive Birungi Lumonya, Deputy Director General, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA)

The 75^th Graduation Ceremony will be held at the Freedom Square from Monday 13^th to Friday 17^th January 2025 following the schedule below:

Monday, 13^th January, 2025
College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS)
College of Education and External Studies (CEES)
College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (CoVAB)
School of Law (SoL)

Tuesday, 14^th January, 2025
College of Health Sciences (CHS)
College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS)
College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS)

Wednesday, 15^th January, 2025
Makerere University Business School (MUBS)
Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
Faculty of Business Administration
Faculty of Tourism, Hospitality and Languages
Faculty of Marketing and International Business
Faculty of Economics, Energy and Management Science
Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management

Thursday, 16^th January, 2025
Makerere University Business School (MUBS)
Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
Faculty of Computing and Informatics
Faculty of Management
Faculty of Commerce
Faculty of Procurement and Logistics Management

Friday, 17^th January, 2025
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)
College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT)
College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS)