The 3^rd Session of the Makerere University 73^rd Graduation ceremony was held on 15^th February 2023 at the university Freedom Square presided over by the Chancellor Prof. Ezra Suruma.

Prof. Suruma conferred degrees on graduands from the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) and the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS).

Sanga Anold Lukoda from CoCIS who has been pursuing a Bachelor of Information Systems and Technology emerged the overall best science student for the Makerere University 73rd Graduation ceremony with a CGPA of 4.85 out of 5.0.

Sanga received the recognition convocation   award during the 3^rd session of the graduation comprising the convocation plaque and one million Uganda shillings.

Sanga was grateful to God for this academic excellence and implored students remember God in all their endeavors and to be obedient.

“Always trust God and follow instructions”, Sanga advised.

The Principal CoCIS Prof. Tonny Oyana, said the college celebrates the victory and congratulated Sanga upon this exemplary performance. Prof. Oyana explained the three important prerequisites to produce such an excellent student.

“Number one, they come with superior foundation from High school. Two, they are dedicated to their programme – the type of students that ask lecturers questions, stay in the lab and they want to learn more. Number three they are inspired by their career goal but also they want to be better,” Prof. Oyana said.

In his message to CoCIS students and staff, the Principal demanded for more.

“We want more. I know we can only have one number one but, we can have many in between so that they get opportunities because students with very good grades can be supported to do masters and admitted to any other university because they give a lot of hope. So, I encourage our staff that we should produce more high quality students who can become faculty”, Prof. Oyana stated.

He said such exemplary students will be invited to talk to final third year students and during orientation of first years to inspire them that it is possible and to build good grades from the beginning of their university life.

During this 3^rd session of the Makerere 73^rd graduation ceremony CoCIS presented 8 PhDs (5 Males and 3 Females), 23 Masters (18 Male and 5 Females) and 571 (322 Male and 249 Female) undergraduate and 2 Post Graduate (Male) Diploma candidates.

The eight PhD candidates presented from CoCIS were Bbosa Francis Fuller, Mugejjera Emmanuel, Ndagire Lillian, Ongaya Kizito, Nagwovuma Margaret, Odongto Godfrey, Mubangizi Martin Gordon and Nakirrija Justine. They conducted relevant and significant research contributing to Uganda’s needs.

The Chancellor Prof. Suruma made a cursory examination of the doctoral research carried out by the doctoral candidates in the three colleges and commended the subject matter and their findings.

With regard to computing and information Sciences, Prof. Suruma took note of the study on disease surveillance with specific regard to the nodding syndrome. Nodding Syndrome has been a serious disease especially in Northern Uganda.

“The study indicated that there is need for surveillance and control of the black fly. I also found the study on water resource management using Lake Victoria basin as a case study extremely  vital and relevant as it provides strategies for different stakeholders such as communities, managers and policy makers on how to improve water management”, The Chancellor commended.

The Chancellor appreciated graduands for the spirit of hard work, endurance, self-control and discipline that have brought them this far.

“The degrees we are awarding you today testify to the hardships, the discipline, the commitment, the brain and tears you have shed over decades of academic struggle. Your graduation today is a testimony that in the face of adversity, poverty deprivation, doubt and danger, you found the determination to hold on and to rise after fall. Today you are counted among the heroes and survivorship many intellectual battles”, Prof. Suruma appreciated.

Prof. Suruma recognized that Makerere University has been an integral part of the graduands success. He thanked the academic, administrative and support staff for the efforts and guidance that enabled students go through the complexities of the academic life.

The Vice Chancellors’ remarks

The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe congratulated the graduands upon staying focused and fulfilling the requirements for the award of the various qualifications.

Prof.  Nawangwe appreciated Government of Uganda for the Research and Innovation Fund given to the university as it strives to transform into a research led university.

“ The Research and Innovation Fund, that was made possible through  a Government  grant of UGX 30bn annually, has transformed Makerere  tremendously with very many  innovations in agriculture, and food security, health, engineering, education, veterinary medicine, artificial intelligence, economics and business management”, The Voce Chancellor reported.

He pointed out that the research on use of Artificial Intelligence in everyday life by CoCIS and many others from other colleges were of great importance to ensuring the stability and prosperity of Uganda.

In his message to the graduands, Prof. Nawangwe reminded them that they occupy a special place in Uganda’s development agenda.

“It is you that must ensure that our business are run on sound business principles, that our country embraces the digital era and use Artificial Intelligence in solving our development challenges.

We have done our best to impart on you knowledge that should enable you to face the world out there with confidence, to become part of the solution and not part of the problem. We have empowered you to be critical thinkers and to be entrepreneurs and good managers of our economy”, Nawangwe advised.

The Vice Chancellor reminded graduands that success does not only come through  technical skills  acquired  but more through soft skills of knowing that they are part of a small privileged elite tasked to move people out of poverty and hence, the need to be humane and humble with determination to succeed.

“As you leave the Gates Makerere, I urge you to always be proud of your Alma Mater and be her good ambassadors. Put your trust in God and honor your parents and opportunities will be opened for you. And please, do not forget the Gates of Makerere. Remember that learning never ends and Makerere gates will always be open for you”, The Professor advised.

The week long 73^rd Graduation Ceremony started on 13^th -17^th February 2023. A total of 13,221 students will be awarded degrees and diplomas of Makerere University. Of these, 102 will graduate with PhDs, 1,378 with Masters Degrees, 11,598 with Bachelor’s degrees, and 143 with undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas. 52% of the graduands are female and 48% male. 41 of the 102 PhD graduands and 563 of the 1,378 Masters graduands are female.