Some of the 43 Phd Graduands from the College of Education and External Studies and College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences after receiving their awards at the second session of #Mak71stGrad held in the Freedom Square on 18th May 2021.
The second session of the 71st Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University held on Tuesday 18th May 2021 has produced a record 44 PhD graduates, the highest to ever be conferred upon their awards in a single session. The Chancellor Professor Ezra Suruma conferred 23 and 21 PhDs upon candidates from the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) respectively.
In his congratulatory remarks, the Chancellor noted that although agriculture is indispensable to our survival as a nation, a lot remains to be done to improve agricultural productivity and marketing. He urged graduands to embrace the parish model which is currently being popularized by the Government so as to increase agricultural productivity and improve the overall management of the agricultural, infrastructural and financial sectors at the grass root level.
“I pray that the students and researchers in agriculture, education, financial services, agricultural processing, storage and infrastructure will come alive and take advantage of this opportunity to rescue our economy from poverty and stagnation. The challenge is to you and me to go to our parish, our roots and make a difference” urged Prof. Suruma.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe had thanked the Chancellor for coining the parish development model and urged graduands not to shy away from getting their hands dirty. “That is what has made the farmers of Israel, from where many of our students return with thousands of dollars after working on their farms, millionaires.”
The Vice Chancellor noted that graduands from CEES had embraced one of the noblest professions and urged them to serve with diligence if they were to succeed.
“Teaching is a calling and only those with the passion to enlighten society choose this noble profession. Our joy is in seeing the many successful people who go through our hands. Money has never been the motivating force behind our passion, but the desire to serve and improve society” said Prof. Nawangwe.
Recognized during the second session were three first class graduands of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP) and one beneficiary of the Female Scholarship Foundation (FSF) supported by the Chinese Embassy in Uganda.
MCFSP beneficiaries Mr. Oyo Timothy-B.A with Education, Ms. Agaba Viola-B.A with Education and Mr. Mukasa Arthur-BSc. with Education scored CGPAs of 4.59, 4.45 and 4.41 respectively. FSF beneficiary Mr. Opendo Thomas-BSc. in Agricultural and Rural Innovation scored a CGPA of 4.57.
Makerere University on 23rd January 2026 hosted the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) validation meeting of the draft minimum standards for implementing Competence-Based Education (CBE) in Higher Education Institutions. The meeting held in the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium brought together Vice Chancellors, Rectors, Principals and Academic Registrars from Higher Education Institutions in Uganda.
Prof. Sarah Ssali.
Hosted by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Sarah Ssali, the meeting followed institutional input into the draft minimum standards and was aimed at validating them prior to their formal adoption by the NCHE Council at their next meeting in February 2026. The minimum standards cover nine areas namely; 1) Curriculum Design, 2) Teaching and Learning Approaches, 3) Assessment, 4) Faculty Training and Support, 5) Student Support Services, 6) Quality Assurance Systems, 7) Industry and Community Linkages, 8) Monitoring and Evaluation, and 9) Gender and Equity Mainstreaming.
Prof. Mary Okwakol (Left) and Dr. Vincent Ssembatya listen to feedback from leaders.
Following feedback into presentations by the various leaders present, a motion to adopt the draft minimum standards, with institutional input incorporated, was moved by Bugema University, seconded by UMCAT School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and unanimously supported by institutions present.
Prof. Mary Okwakol.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Prof. Sarah Ssali appreciated NCHE for choosing Makerere to host the landmark event, reiterating that the University greatly respects each and every Higher Education Institution and regards them as partners and collaborators in the quest to improve Uganda’s Higher Education sector.
Part of the audience that attended the validation meeting.
The Executive Director NCHE, Prof. Mary Okwakol reassured leaders present that all the pertinent issues raised for input into the draft minimum standards would be incorporated, and urged those with pressing issues to submit them before month’s end. She reiterated NCHE’s readiness to continue lobbying Government for the resources required by Higher Education Institutions, particularly Public Universities, to implement Competence-Based Education (CBE).
Kampala, Uganda – 20th January 2026 – Makerere University has postponed its opening date for Semester Two of Academic Year 2025/2026 from the earlier communicated 24th January 2026 to 10th February 2026.
This adjustment is in response to the Ministry of Education and Sports directive to all Schools and Education Institutions to postpone re-opening until 10th February 2026. Consequently, Semester Two at Makerere University will now run from 10th February 2026 until 6th June 2026. Attached is the detailed Calendar for Semester Two 2025/2026.
Confirmed dates for the 76th Graduation Ceremony
Makerere University also wishes to inform the general public that Makerere’s 76th Graduation Ceremony will be held from Tuesday 24th February 2026 to Friday 27th February 2026.
Specifics including the graduation schedules and standard operating procedures for participants will be communicated officially in due course.
Please see downloads for the statement, Ministry directive and revised calendar.
The Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) TICAD8 African Scholarship for STI is available for all African (Non-Egyptian) students who wish to obtain their M.Sc. degree in the programs of Faculty of Engineering (FoE), Basic and Applied Science (BAS), Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT), Faculty of International Business and Humanities (FIBH) and Heritage Science (HS).
Please note that interested applicants have to apply through E-JUST’ website (online application system). Applications will only be accepted via E-JUST’s website (online application system).
Interested applicants must complete and submit their application forms before February 15, 2026. The applicant will receive an automatic confirmation e-mail as proof of successful submission of the application.