Law
Law Students Advised to Make the Right Choices and Work Hard
The Makerere University School of Law (SoL) held the Orientation Meeting for its First Year Students, Academic Year 2022/2023 on the 20th October 2022; Ms. Sarah Langa Siu, Chief Registrar – Courts of Judicature was the Guest of Honour.
Ms. Langa welcomed the freshers to the prestigious and honourable profession. She advised the students to make the right choices and work hard for the best grades during their time at University. ‘Campus is a buffet with a lot to offer, make the best choices. Remember every choice has a consequence and your choice today will impact your tomorrow’, she said. She highlighted a number of dos and donts which the students should take note of.Some of the points mentioned were: good role models and mentors; avoiding free things; minding the dress code and indecent dressing; quick money and deals, students using fees as capital; positive brand of self; vision and value addition.
The Chief Registrar added that ‘there is a long life ahead of you and don’t act like the world is ending, that everything has to be enjoyed within the 4 years of university’. Quoting the Bible Ecclesiastes 11:9, Ms. Langa told the students to enjoy their youth but to remember that God will judge them. She implored the students to work hard, be patient, be resilient and have a positive attitude, ‘the major reason you are at Makerere is to study and make sure you leave with a good degree class not a pass’ she said.
Staff welcomed the students to the SoL and gave them tips on how to use their time while at University.
In his remarks, Dr. Ronald Naluwairo (Associate Professor), Deputy Principal –SoL welcomed the students to Makerere University and the School of Law. He also conveyed a warm welcome from the Principal, Professor Christopher Mbazira who is away on official leave.
Dr. Naluwairo congratulated the students on joining a top law school in the country and region, he advised that the best teachers and resources are available and there is no reason for them to fail. ‘If you want the best results, don’t relax, concentrate on your studies and consult faculty and administration when you have challenges. We are here to ensure that you succeed’ he added. The Deputy Principal reminded the students that SoL and Makerere University have a zero tolerance policy to sexual harassment as well as examination malpractice and irregularities. ‘We wish you the best as you embark on this journey’ he said.
Mr. Ernest Kalibbala, Lecturer – SoL also welcomed the students to the School and Makerere University. ‘You are the cream de la cream; the cream rises to the top, doesn’t sink to the bottom. Grades are important in determining your professional journey, therefore study hard and start now’, he told the students. Mr. Kalibbala further advised the students that you may feel overwhelmed at times but keep focused, be agile and work hard for the best results.
Dr. Kakungulu Mayambala (Associate Professor) also welcomed the students to SoL. ‘Set aside time for self-study, at least 4hours per day. Avoid the following problem areas: early marriages, alcoholism, late night movements, political activism, excessive prayer activities. Find a balance, otherwise your studies will be affected’ Dr. Kakungulu Mayambala advised the students.
Administrative staff spoke to the students highlighting the services available and where to access assistance. Mr. Abigaba Vincent, College Registrar – SoL and Ms. Hellen Mirembe, Examination Officer – SoL explained to the students the registration and examinationsprocesses. Both officers advised the students to read the joining instructions booklet carefully and to avoid circumstances that may lead to suspension or expulsion from university such as examination malpractice to which others have been culprits.
Ms. Caroline Abilat and Ms. Evelyn Harona represented the Directorate of Gender Mainstreaming and Department of Guidance and Counselling respectively. Ms. Abilat talked to the students about the University Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy and the scholarships available. Ms. Harona advised the students to take care of their mental health and to seek help when they experience challenges.
The School of Law (SoL) presented a total of 362 graduands for conferment of degrees on Day 1 of the 76th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University. The graduands included 3 Doctor of Laws (LLD), 71 Master of Laws (LLM) and 288 Bachelor of Laws (LLB).
Doctor of Laws were awarded to Lydia Namateefu Kisekka, Oscar Kambona and Aimé Fidèle Ndayishimiye. Master of Laws were awarded to 26 female and 45 male while the Bachelor of Laws awardees were 124 female and 164 male.
Nuwamanya Raymond Jerry and Aijuka Allan attained first class degrees for the LLB with CGPA of 4.42 and 4.41 respectively.
For Day 1, School of Law, College of Education and External Studies, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and College of Computing and Information Sciences presented graduands for conferment of degrees and award of diplomas. The 76th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University will continue till Friday 27th February 2026.
Speaking to the congregation, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe – Vice Chancellor, Makerere University welcomed everyone to Makerere University’s 76th Graduation. He congratulated the 9,295 graduands comprising 4,262 (46%) female graduates and 5,033 (54%) male graduands who will be awarded degrees and diplomas through the graduation week; 213 graduands are PhD recipients. He commended the efforts of staff, parents, and sponsors in supporting the students’ journeys.
In his remarks, Professor Nawangwe praised the milestones of Makerere’s Colleges and Schools, highlighting the School of Law as a distinguished centre of academic excellence in legal education, training and scholarship. ‘In the 2025, pre-entry examinations for the Law Development Centre post-graduate bar course, 94% of our students who sat the exams, passed and were admitted. The performance reflects not only the intellectual caliber of our students, but also the School’s rigorous curriculum and commitment of the faculty’, he noted.
The Vice Chancellor congratulated the School of Law and student teams that excelled at the Phillip C. Jessup Moot Competition and Boston International Innovation Moot; the teams will represent Uganda at international rounds of the competitions due to take place in Washington DC, USA and Vienna, Austria respectively later in the year. Professor Nawangwe said, ‘The accomplishments reinforces the School’s growing reputation as a leader in mooting, legal research and scholarship. The students’ performances exhibit excellent advocacy skills as well as deep analytical skills in public international law and team work’.
Prof. Nawangwe reiterated the University’s transformation to a research-led institution expressing appreciation to the Government of Uganda for providing critical resources supporting more than 1,400 high-impact research and innovation projects. He highlighted some of the on-going projects at various colleges which have empowered researchers and innovators to deepen Makerere University’s contribution to national development priorities. Mentioned projects included: “Healthy Soy” initiative to combat child malnutrition amid climate change; Scaled innovative cocoa fermentation technology, with over 70% adoption among farmers in major cocoa-producing districts; fully digital Public Universities Joint Admissions (PUJAB) process via ACMIS, cutting admissions costs by over 50% among others.
Addressing graduands, Professor Nawangwe encouraged them to embrace entrepreneurship, uphold integrity, and serve society with distinction. Graduates were also invited to participate in the upcoming Makerere University Careers Fair scheduled for March 11–13, 2026, to facilitate transition into the workplace. ‘As you leave the gates of Makerere, always be proud of your Alma Mater and be good ambassadors wherever you’, he urged the graduates.
Professor Nicholas Ozor, the Executive Director of the African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS), Nairobi-Kenya delivered the commencement speech on Day 1 of the graduation. He advised the graduands that ‘beyond your disciplines, character will outlive your certificate, your integrity will open doors your degree cannot, your humility will teach you lessons success never will, your resilience will matter more than your grades, and you will fail at times but let failure refine you—not define you’.
He encouraged the graduands to remember five principles: Embrace lifelong learning, the world changes too fast for static knowledge; Choose purpose over comfort, impact matters more than income; Build character before career, skills get you hired, character sustains you; Serve something larger than yourself, give back to your communities and your country; and believe in Africa—and act, do not wait for solutions from elsewhere, be the solution.
To the Parents and Guardians, Professor Ozor said, ‘Today, you graduate too, your sacrifices—financial, emotional, and spiritual—are written into every certificate awarded. Thank you for believing when it was difficult, for supporting when it was inconvenient, and for hoping when the future seemed uncertain’.
Delivering a speech on behalf of the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni, the State Minister for Primary Education, Hon. Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, said the Government had deliberately deepened investment in higher education to position universities as drivers of national development.
Hon. Kaducu described the establishment of the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (RIF) as a major milestone, noting that it supports high-impact research aligned to national priorities and has enabled thousands of researchers to deliver practical solutions benefiting communities across Uganda. She also highlighted Parliament’s approval of a 162 million US dollar concessional loan from the Korea EXIM Bank to upgrade science, technology and innovation infrastructure at Makerere University, including modern laboratories, smart classrooms and advanced facilities for engineering and health sciences, to better prepare students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The minister announced plans to construct a national stadium at Makerere and other higher education institutions to promote sports development and talent identification. She reiterated the directive for all universities to fully implement Competence-Based Education and Training by July 2027, urging Makerere to lead curriculum reform, staff training and infrastructure development while ensuring satellite campuses meet full accreditation and uphold academic standards, transparency and accountability.
Addressing graduates, Hon. Kaducu encouraged them to become job creators in sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and education, and to leverage opportunities like the Parish Development Model for entrepreneurship. She commended Makerere’s leadership and partners and congratulated the Class of 2026 on their achievement.
In his address to the congregation, Dr. Chrispus Kiyonga – Chancellor, Makerere University congratulated graduands upon making it to the 76th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University. He described their achievement as a milestone in both personal growth and national development, urging them to apply their knowledge creatively to benefit society. He acknowledged the contribution of academic staff, administrators, the University Council, and expressed gratitude to the Government of Uganda and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for continued support.
Dr. Kiyonga called on the university community to strengthen research, expand private sector partnerships, and leverage technology to address Uganda’s development challenges. Emphasising research as central to national progress, Dr. Kiyonga noted the Government’s UGX 30 billion investment annually in the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (MakRIF) and praised the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat, Office of the President for supporting initiatives at the University advancing homegrown solutions to national challenges. He also highlighted a strengthened partnership with the Korean government, securing a USD 162 million loan from the Korea Exim Bank to boost infrastructure and staff capacity.
While acknowledging limited formal employment opportunities, he encouraged graduates to innovate and create jobs. He further commended the university’s digitalization efforts and outlined four priorities: increased research funding, private sector collaboration, community engagement, and effective use of technology. During the 76th graduation ceremony running from the 24th -27th February, 2026, a total of 9,295 graduands will be awarded degrees and diplomas in various disciplines. Of these, 213 will receive PhDs, 2,503 Masters Degrees, 206 postgraduate Diplomas, 6,343 Bachelor’s Degrees and 30 Diplomas. 46% of the graduands are female and 54% are male.
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