General
Female Students Emerge Best at 70th Graduation Ceremony
Over 1,000 graduands from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), College of Education and External Studies (CEES), College of Health Sciences (CHS) and College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) gathered in the Freedom Square to attend the 70th Graduation Ceremony. Accompanied by their parents, guardians and well-wishers, the overjoyed graduands were conferred upon degrees and awarded diplomas of Makerere University.
During the first session of the Graduation which took place on 14th January 2020, Makerere University Convocation recognised Ms. Namayengo Sarah, the best overall student in Sciences at the undergraduate level with a plaque and UGX 1 Million. Ms. Namayengo graduated with a Bachelor of Conservation Forestry and Products Technology scoring a CGPA of 4.83 out of 5.
This year 2020, a total of 13,510 students will be awarded degrees and diplomas of Makerere University in various disciplines. Of these, 6,820 are female and 6,690 are male. 62 graduands 17 of whom are female will receive Degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), while 1,173 of whom 471 are female will receive Masters Degrees. 422 students will be graduating with First Class degrees.
The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni said that the 70th Graduation is of great significance to the Ministry of Education and Sports and the country at large because Makerere has this time presented more female than male Graduands; 50.5% compared to 49.5% respectively.
“I congratulate the University Council, Management and Senate for this monumental achievement and I am pleased to note that Government’s deliberate efforts in promoting girl child education are starting to pay off,” said Hon. Janet Museveni.
She mentioned that through the Higher Education, Science and Technology (HEST) project implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports with support from the African Development Bank, the University has established an Incubation Centre to nurture ideas and link University researchers to Industry, who are the end users.
In his speech read by the Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, the President of the Republic of Uganda H. E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni noted that the Government is committed to continue supporting Makerere and other universities so that they can play the role expected of them in national development.
“We have demonstrated this through availing the Shs. 30 billion to the Research and Innovations Fund at Makerere University. This is only the beginning and Government will avail more money for research and innovation as the economy improves, as we work together to transform Uganda and reorient mindsets of our people from subsistence to commercial thinking,” said H.E. Museveni.
The President commended the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and BioSecurity for developing animal vaccines such as the anti-tick vaccine and other value chains such as the leather industry. He congratulated the parents, guardians and sponsors upon their children’s successful completion of studies and thanked them for sacrifices made to educate their children.
Addressing the congregation, Prof. Ezra Suruma, the Chancellor of Makerere University applauded the Government of Uganda and other stake holders for the enormous investment they continue to make in education and research at Makerere University.
“The recent decision by the Government to contribute Shs. 30 Billion to research and Innovations is an important contribution to the future of Uganda’s economic and technological development. I commend the Vice Chancellor for appointing a Grants Management Committee (GMC) to ensure that these funds are appropriately allocated, utilized and accounted for,” said Prof. Suruma.
The Chancellor congratulated the graduands upon the successful completion of their educational programs and wished them victory when he said, “for each and every one of you, there is a race to be run and there are victories to be won. I wish many more victories.”
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University mentioned the University has made tremendous achievements in areas of teaching, learning, research and innovation. He noted that Makerere University is recognized as a global leader on clinical medical research and ranked number two on the African Continent in terms of research output.
He appealed to the graduands to utilize the skills and knowledge obtained to transform and develop not only their communities but also the country at large.
“We have done our best to impart to you knowledge and skills that you require as a foundation for working towards achieving your goals. I wish you luck as you seek for opportunities in the world either to be gainfully employed or to create jobs,” said Prof. Nawangwe.
Article by: Esther Joy Nakibombo Volunteer Mak Public Relations Office
#Mak70thGrad
In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.
A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:
“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”
Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”
He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:
“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”
Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”
In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.
“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”
Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.
“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”
Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action
Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:
“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”
She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.
European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity
Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:
“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.
Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:
“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”
The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.
The Legacy Continues
Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:
“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”
The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.
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