KAMPALA, 25 February 2026 — Higher education must move beyond awarding degrees to producing solutions for national and global crises, speakers said on Wednesday as Makerere University continued its 76^th Graduation Ceremony, positioning universities as central actors in strengthening Africa’s public health capacity.

Addressing graduands on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Freedom Square, national leaders and university officials framed graduation not as a ceremonial endpoint but as an investment in workforce readiness, research leadership, and evidence-driven governance, particularly at a time when health systems across the continent face growing pressure from pandemics, demographic change, and climate-related risks.

The message resonated strongly through presentations from Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) and Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS), whose graduates enter professional service amid renewed global attention to health system resilience, scientific leadership, and locally generated research.

Delivering the commencement address on Day Two of Makerere University’s 76^th Graduation Ceremony, Dr. Margaret Blick Kigozi, Board Chairperson of the Makerere University Endowment Fund, reflected on her graduation in 1976 during a period of national uncertainty under then-Chancellor President Idi Amin. She recalled leaving Uganda soon after with her young family, carrying “little more than education, values, and hope,” an experience she used to frame lessons on resilience, purpose, and responsibility in uncertain times.

Challenging graduates to rethink professional success, she reminded those entering health and life sciences that their training carries extraordinary influence.

“Power does not make you important; it makes you responsible,” she said. “You will decide who is listened to and who is dismissed, who waits and who is rushed through, who feels safe and who feels small. Your education has trained you to ask better questions, but your humanity must guide the answers. Behind every chart, every case, every experiment, there is life, and life deserves care, patience, and dignity.”

Throughout the ceremony, speakers returned to a common refrain: societies increasingly depend on evidence, and universities must produce professionals capable of translating knowledge into policy, practice, and community impact.

Across the four-day congregation, the University will award 9,295 degrees and diplomas, including 2,503 Master’s degrees, 6,343 Bachelor’s degrees, 206 Postgraduate Diplomas, and 30 Diplomas. But beyond the numbers, speakers repeatedly returned to a central question on how higher education can translate academic growth into national development and health security.

On day two, graduands were presented from the College of Natural Sciences, the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, the College of Health Sciences, and the MakSPH, the latter positioned squarely within Africa’s ongoing struggle to expand its pool of trained epidemiologists, health systems researchers, and policy leaders.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe noted that Africa averages just 80 researchers per million people, compared to a global average of 1,081, warning that the human resource gap remains substantial.

“Today the School of Public Health presents graduands joining the field at a time when Africa faces a critical shortage of highly trained public health leaders,” he said.

The School of Public Health presented seven PhD candidates: Aber Harriet Odonga, Komakech Henry, Lubogo David, Nakisita Olivia, Namukose Samalie, Ntaro Moses, and Osuret Jimmy. It also graduated 195 Master’s students and 29 Bachelor of Environmental Health Science graduates, including four first-class honours recipients led by Phillip Acaye with a CGPA of 4.63.

Their research spans maternal and child health, epidemic preparedness, sanitation behaviour change, nutrition systems integration, and injury prevention, areas increasingly recognised as foundational to national development rather than peripheral health concerns.

University Chancellor Dr. Crispus Kiyonga emphasized that research must move beyond academic publication into policy and implementation.

“Research plays a very vital role in the development of any community,” he said, linking university scholarship directly to Uganda’s national development agenda.

For public health education, that responsibility carries particular urgency. The COVID-19 pandemic, recurring disease outbreaks, and climate-linked health risks have exposed how deeply national stability depends on scientific capacity.

The chancellor hailed the Government of Uganda for committing UGX 30 billion through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (MakRIF).

Mak Urged on More PhDs

Representing the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, State Minister Dr. Joyce Kaducu Moriku described doctoral training as central to Uganda’s research ambitions, noting government efforts to expand funding and modernize higher education systems.

“Universities must produce more PhDs to strengthen the national research agenda,” she said, adding that competence-based reforms aim to align training more closely with societal needs.

“More PhDs also mean the university is growing in academic leadership and an increase in research. So, keep the numbers growing, especially in Science, Technology, and Engineering,” she added.

The 213 PhDs conferred this year, a record, signal more than institutional expansion but a response to structural deficits.

Africa bears approximately 25% of the global disease burden but produces a disproportionately small share of global health research. The continent’s research density remains far below global averages. In this context, each doctoral graduate becomes not merely an academic achievement but a strategic asset.

A University Responding to Its Moment

For the School of Public Health, the graduation reflects a broader evolution in how public health training is conceived. Rather than focusing solely on the treatment of disease, the field increasingly addresses systems, sanitation, nutrition, behavioural change, surveillance, prevention, and climate change, areas where research directly shapes everyday life.

Recent MakSPH-led initiatives, including national HIV impact surveys and digital health system expansion, demonstrate how academic institutions increasingly function as implementation partners to the government rather than observers.

Over the past five years, MakSPH has supported the national scale-up of electronic medical records through the CDC-funded Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support (MakSPH-METs) programme, and led the Third Uganda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA 2024–2025), the first fully Ugandan-implemented national survey of its kind.

Launched in 2020, the METs program has supported the nationwide scale-up of UgandaEMR+, transitioning thousands of facilities to secure electronic medical records and deploying critical ICT infrastructure. In March 2026, these systems will be formally transitioned to the Ministry of Health, reflecting sustainable national ownership.

View on MakSPH

On Friday, 27^th February 2026, Makerere University proudly celebrated 13 years of a significant partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, a prestigious independent organisation headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Since its inception in 2013 with the launch of the Scholars Program-currently headed by Prof. Justine Namaalwa, this collaboration has grown significantly, expanding to include two additional initiatives: The E-learning Initiative-headed by Prof. Paul Muyinda Birevu and the Africa Climate Collaborative-headed by Prof. Gorretie Nabanoga. This long-term partnership underscores the shared commitment to fostering education, innovation, and sustainability in Uganda and across Africa.

The colourful event coincided with the 76^th Graduation Ceremony, during which Makerere University honoured Ms. Reeta Roy, the Founding President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, with an honorary Doctor of Laws.

In her commencement speech, Ms. Roy thanked Makerere University for considering a partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and for conferring upon her a prestigious honorary award.

“Mastercard Foundation is honoured to collaborate with this esteemed university, and I appreciate the recognition through this award. I am excited to be associated with Makerere University and look forward to actively embodying its values. Joining the broader community of alumni from this distinguished institution is a privilege, and I am eager to contribute to its legacy,” stated Ms. Roy.

During the reception in honour of Ms. Roy, the Chairperson of Makerere University Council, Dr. Lorna Magara, acknowledged the invaluable support from the Mastercard Foundation. She emphasised the profound impact of the Foundation’s various initiatives, particularly the scholarships for disadvantaged youth, which enable them to access higher education and opportunities that might have otherwise been beyond their reach.

“On behalf of the Makerere University Council and the broader University community, I extend our sincere gratitude to Mastercard Foundation for its commitment to collaborating with Makerere University in various endeavours, especially for providing scholarships to our underprivileged young people who would never have stepped inside a lecture room at the University.” Dr. Magara stated.

Dr. Magara, in a special way, thanked Ms. Roy for her transformative leadership and unwavering commitment to supporting young people in Africa, citing her efforts to ensure young people get their voices heard.

“As a university, our business is with young people. We are therefore committed to providing the environment and education that deliver meaningful pathways. We will provide an environment that ensures young people have a voice and agency to create meaningful change in society.” Dr. Magara pledged.

Dr. Magara further congratulated Ms. Roy on her honorary Doctor of Laws from Makerere University, noting that it is the university’s highest honour for individuals who have excelled in their careers.

“On behalf of the Makerere University community, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations on your honorary Doctor of Laws. This esteemed recognition represents the highest honour our institution can bestow on individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievement and excellence across various facets of their career.” Dr. Magara remarked.

Prof. Justine Namaalwa, the Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and the Coordinator for all Mastercard Foundation Initiatives at Makerere University, expressed her appreciation for the thirteen-year collaboration between Makerere University and the Mastercard Foundation. She highlighted that the partnership had yielded significant, impactful results.

“In 2013, Makerere University partnered with the Mastercard Foundation to educate the next generation of transformative African leaders who can positively impact their lives, their communities, and the economies of Africa. The partnership has had a significant impact. I thank the University Management and the Foundation team for this visionary collaboration,” remarked Prof. Namaalwa.

Prof. Namaalwa articulated that the partnership with the Mastercard Foundation is primarily focused on empowering young people as agents of change for transformational leadership in Africa. She presented compelling statistics demonstrating the positive impact of the scholars’ program, highlighting the success of individuals who have completed their education and their subsequent professional experiences after university graduation.

“This partnership focuses on young people, aiming to create positive change in their lives. To date, the Scholars Program has graduated 974 alumni, with 48% securing formal employment, 18% starting their own businesses, 8% participating in internships, and 5% pursuing further education. Overall, 72% of Scholar alumni are actively engaged in employment or entrepreneurship,” Prof. Namaalwa stated.

The colourful event showcased a dynamic array of activities that highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit of Scholars and alumni from the Mastercard Foundation at Makerere University. Attendees enjoyed a mini-exhibition featuring innovative products from these ventures.

A video documentary illustrated the positive impact of the three Mastercard Foundation initiatives. The event also featured inspiring poetry recitations by Scholars and a lively atmosphere of music and dance, creating an engaging and memorable experience for all participants.

The high-level event was attended by senior University officials, led by the Chairperson of Council, Dr. Lorna Magara; the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe; the Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, Deputy, and the Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Finance and Administration Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta. Mr Yusuf Kiranda, the University Secretary; and Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the Academic Registrar, Chancellor Emeritus-Prof. Ezra Suruma, former Chairperson of the Steering Committee of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program-Prof. Umar Kakumba, and the Deputy Executive Secretary, RUFORUM, and former Program Coordinator of the Scholars Program at Makerere University-Dr. Florence Nakayiwa, among many other officials graced the function.

The event was also graced by a high-level delegation from the Mastercard Foundation, led by Ms. Reeta Roy, the Founding President of the Foundation, and included the Mastercard Foundation Teams from the Country offices in Kigali, Nairobi, and Kampala; the Program partners; the Mentors, Scholars and alumni; as well as the Program staff of the three Mastercard Foundation Initiatives at Makerere University.

At the end of the event, Makerere University honoured Ms. Reeta Roy with University memorabilia, including a pencil-drawn portrait, a pencil-drawn photo of the Ivory Tower, and other Ugandan crafts. Ms. Roy cut a graduation cake together with the 10 graduates of the 76^th graduation ceremony from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Bernard Buteera is the Principal Public Relations Officer for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to this edition of Mak News Magazine, a publication that continues to chronicle Makerere University’s journey as a centre of academic excellence, innovation, and societal transformation.

The stories featured in this issue vividly demonstrate Makerere’s unwavering commitment to addressing national, regional, and global challenges through research, partnerships, and people-centred solutions. They reflect a university that is deeply engaged with society, one that applies knowledge not only to advance scholarship, but also to improve lives.

A recurring theme in this edition is innovation for resilience and inclusion. From the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ Healthy Soy Initiative combating child malnutrition amid climate change, to the cutting-edge work of CEDAT’s Team Green Minds integrating IoT into agriculture, Makerere continues to harness science and technology to respond to pressing development needs. Equally inspiring is the College of Natural Sciences’ success in securing international funding to scale up fish processing technologies, with a deliberate focus on empowering women and strengthening livelihoods.

This issue also highlights Makerere’s growing role in advancing health and wellbeing. The launch of the Early Intervention Psychiatry Services Clinic at Makerere University Hospital marks an important step in strengthening mental health services, while the Hospital’s transformation from a modest sickbay into a centre of excellence stands as a testament to decades of strategic investment, dedication, and service to the nation.

Our commitment to education access and global engagement is equally evident. Strategic partnerships, such as that between the College of Education and External Studies and the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board, are expanding pathways to quality education. The establishment of the first-ever United States Studies Centre in the Great Lakes Region positions Makerere as a hub for dialogue, research, and policy engagement on global affairs. We also celebrate our vibrant international community, with graduates drawn from 67 nationalities—affirming Makerere’s status as a truly global university.

This edition further showcases initiatives that ensure long-term institutional sustainability, including the launch of the CoCIS Endowment Fund, infrastructure developments such as the modern hostel at Buyana Farm, and transformative programmes supported by the Mastercard Foundation that continue to empower young people across the continent.

As you read through these pages, I invite you to reflect on the collective effort of our students, staff, alumni, partners, and supporters whose contributions make these achievements possible. Together, we continue to shape Makerere University as a place where knowledge serves humanity.

I wish you an engaging and inspiring read.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe
VICE CHANCELLOR