Law
School of Law presents Graduands at the 73rd Graduation Ceremony
The School of Law (SoL) presented graduands on the first day of Makerere University’s 73rd Graduation Ceremony held on the 13th February 2023 at the Freedom Square, Makerere University. A total of 249 graduands were presented by the School including (23) Master of Laws and (226) Bachelor of Laws. Master of Laws were awarded to 12 females and 11 males while the Bachelor of Laws awardees were 94 female and 132 males.
Speaking to the congregation, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe – Vice Chancellor, Makerere University welcomed everyone to Makerere University’s 73rd Graduation. He said, ‘it gives me great pleasure to congratulate you upon reaching this milestone. Today marks the culmination of your hard work as graduands, as well as the sacrifices of the parents, guardians, sponsors, family and friends. So, take time off and celebrate’. The Vice Chancellor thanked all stakeholders for the continued support to Makerere University; he said, ‘we acknowledge that the milestones we registered over 100 years would not be possible without the close working relationship we have enjoyed with the Government of Uganda, the Ministry of Education and Sports, staff, alumni, students as well as development partners at national and global levels’.
The Vice Chancellor highlighted that despite the disruptions occasioned by Covid-19, Makerere University is on a steady course of transforming into a research-led university as a result of the support from government and development partners. Professor Nawangwe commended government for the support through Research and Innovation Fund (RIF). Prof. Nawangwe invited graduands, parents and guardians to visit the Makerere University Innovation Hub situated at Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility established through partnership with the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP). The hub is aimed at skilling students, supporting brilliant ideas and innovation for start-ups and creating jobs.
In his remarks, Professor Ezra Suruma – Chancellor, Makerere University congratulated graduands upon making it to the 73rd Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University and achieving what you came to do when you joined the University. Prof. Suruma commended the First Lady/Minister of Education and Sports for the continuous support extended to Makerere University, requesting the congregation to join him and give her a warm applause. ‘I wish to recognize the efforts of the staff and faculty for the excellent work done to prepare the students graduating today despite the multiple challenges’ he added. The Chancellor pleaded with the graduands to never forget to cherish and to honour parents, guardians and sponsors who have sacrificed so much for them to reach this graduation day. He implored the graduands to cultivate an attitude of gratitude as you enter the world.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of London, Professor Wendy Thomson, CBE delivered the commencement address to the congregation. She congratulated the graduands noting that it is a very important milestone in life, ‘an amazing achievement at any time but particularly given the challenges placed on study and health care services during the pandemic’. Professor Thomson said, ‘This is my first visit to Uganda which makes this a special pleasure for me personally and a welcome opportunity to renew the historical ties between the University of London and the Makerere University.’
Professor Thomson advised the graduands that, ‘Yes, you are graduating into a complicated world, in one of the world’s poorer nations, but you are the people who, through your social and technical contribution, can reshape it into something more human, more prosperous, something more equitable, something better for us all. Be critical. Be kind. And stay curious.
Professor Christopher Curtis Whalen from the University of Georgia, U.S.A was awarded the Honorary Doctorate of Science in recognition of his contribution to health research and capacity building of Uganda, Makerere University and the College of Health Sciences. The orator, Professor Moses Joloba, noted that Professor Whalen has garnered over $90million for research in Uganda.
The First Lady and Minister for Education and Sports – Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni attended the graduation ceremony virtually.
In her remarks, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni congratulated the graduands for accomplishing their studies applauding the parents and guardians for supporting the students noting that it is a sacrifice. Quoting the Bible, Jeremiah 1:5, she advised the graduands to set a personal life mission to guide their career path noting that purpose predates conception. The Minister added that her prayer for all the graduands is ‘to do what is intended for them with humility and be humble’. Hon. Kataaha Museveni applauded Makerere Council and Management for their strategic plan which is geared to increasing graduate students enrollment and thanked the University for being great partner to government, reiterating the government’s support. ‘I wish all of you blessings as you head out in the world to your career journey’ the Minister added.
During the 73rd graduation week running from the 13th – 17th February, 2023, a total of 13,209 students will be awarded degrees and diplomas in various disciplines. Of these, 102 will receive PhDs, 1,378 Masters Degrees, 35 ordinary diplomas, 108 postgraduate Diplomas, and 11,586 Bachelor’s Degrees. 52% of the graduands are female and 48% are male. Beside the School of Law, the Colleges of Health Sciences and Natural Sciences also presented graduands on the first day of the 73rd Graduation Ceremony.
Law
China-Africa Forum for Law School Deans ends with Partners’ committing to enhanced collaboration
On 5th November 2024, Law School Deans, Academicians, researchers and students from Africa and China met at School of Law (SoL), Makerere University in Kampala Uganda for the 6th China-Africa Forum for Law School Deans. The Forum themed, ‘Legal Guarantee and Educational Support for High-Quality Development of China-Africa’ was hosted by SoL in partnership with Renmin University of China and Xiangtan University, China.
This forum was proposed at the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in 2021 in Dakar, Senegal, The resultant Dakar Action Plan (2022-2024) explicitly proposed to support holding the China-Africa Forum of Law School Deans to among other things: encourage and assist China-Africa Universities in jointly building China-Africa legal research centres; training of legal professionals; and promoting China-Africa exchanges and cooperation for legal knowledge and legal talents.
In his remarks, Dr. Ronald Naluwairo – Associate Professor and Principal, SoL welcomed participants to SoL, Makerere University and Uganda. ‘SoL opened its doors in 1968 and has grown into one of the greatest schools of law in Africa and enjoys global recognition for its work’, he said. He thanked Xiangtan University, China with who Makerere has a memorandum of understanding for the collaboration that started in 2014 and introducing the other partners present. He expressed hope that at the end of the meeting, tangible areas of collaboration supporting social justice will be defined for the partners; and a compilation of a report of the papers presented for knowledge transfer and policy development.
Professor Henry Alinaitwe – Deputy Vice Chancellor/Finance & Administration, Makerere University represented the Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe. He welcomed participants and encouraged them to tour Uganda, Pearl of Africa before departure for an appreciation of Uganda’s beauty. ‘Teaching of the law can contribute to social transformation of our people in Africa and China. This is therefore an important platform for discussion improvements in legal education for both Africa and China’, he said. Professor Alinaitwe thanked the partners for choosing Makerere to host and hoped for productive, enlightening deliberations during the forum which will lead to enhancement of the collaboration.
The forum was officially opened by His Excellency, Ambassador Zhang Lizhong – Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Uganda. Ambassador Lizhong expressed pleasure at seeing the participants from China and Africa in the room to support the China-Africa collaborations which have built synergy with multiple plans and strategies. He explained that in Uganda alone, China continues to export promotion, infrastructure development (roads, dams, and airport) among others. He noted that there has been an increase of people exchange between China and Africa and it is therefore important that the nations understand better the legal setups for better collaboration and development mutually beneficial to all. ‘I thank Makerere for the support of the collaboration and I hope to see development of legal research centres as outlined in the Accra Action Plan’ the ambassador noted.
Presentations by participants through the day culminated into proposal of the following as key issues for further consideration and development:
- Recognition that legal education and legal exchanges are essential foundations of friendly cooperation between China and Africa and the China-Africa Forum of Law School Deans is an effective platform to promote the cooperation. The Forum will therefore be held regularly.
- Expand the scope, enhance effectiveness and impact of the Forum.
- Establish exchange mechanisms to promote cooperation, including joint international conferences and co-publish academic journals.
- Encourage law teachers’ research cooperation among faculty to improve research quality and facilitate mutual visits.
- Promote friendly exchanges among young legal professionals, providing support for their studies and exchanges at partner institutions
- Collaborate of developing educational programmes, including courses on comparative studies of China-African legal systems.
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