During the Makerere University Convocation Graduation luncheon, Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo, a Senior Presidential Advisor on Special duties, together with Makerere University Management members set the process for mentoring the next generation of leaders in the business, public and private sectors.

Delivering a keynote speech, Mr. Rwabwogo urged the graduates to avoid being distracted when executing missions. He emphasized to them the need to embody the values of responsibility, discipline and integrity as they enter the world of work.

He cautioned them on the friends and networks that they associate with, when he said: “You must be responsible for your behaviour. I advise you to immediately drop friends who seek to extend childish behaviours into adulthood, those who don’t help you on the journey to maturity. Have personal integrity as you transition to adulthood,” he said.

He made the remarks on Wednesday 15^th January 2025 while addressing fresh graduates from Makerere University Business School (MUBS) during the Convocation Staff and Alumni luncheon organized in honour of the best talent during the 75^th Graduation Ceremony.

Mr. Rwabwogo who is also the Chairperson of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) emphasized entrepreneurship as the engine to Uganda’s development as well as the solution to the unemployment question.

“My wish is that if everyone could be an entrepreneur. It is entrepreneurship that will spur Uganda’s development.  Entrepreneurship gives you the ability to innovate, it is about creativity and ingenuity that leads to business enterprises and production of products”, he said.

In terms of personal growth, Mr. Rwabwogo advised the graduates to get out of the crowds, and dedicate time, to exactly understand who they are. He explained the need for each graduate to have a deeper reflection towards their calling and purpose in life including understanding what makes one unique.

To underscore the value of solitude and its ability to stimulate thinking and innovativeness, Rwabwogo shared an example of Albert Einstein who is generally considered the most influential physicist of the 20^th century.

One of Einstein’s quotes states: “I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity.”

Noting that the graduates were transitioning into adulthood, Rwabwogo pointed out that solitude, would not only provide graduates with an opportunity to design and innovate, but also empower them to ask the right questions about life.

 “Seek silence. Find out who you are. We are always surrounded by crowds, which are deceptive. If you are below 30 years of age, entertainment and social media can be a source of mental and emotional containment. In crowds, we can get lost. In solitude, you learn to ask the right questions about life. Solitude teaches you to handle rejections and learn how to deal with bullies at work.”

Making reference to the Holy bible, Mr. Rwabwogo recounted the story of Amnon, a character whose poor choices led to dire consequences, highlighting the dangers of associating with the wrong company.

While emphasizing the importance of personal integrity and leadership skills, Mr. Rwabwogo used the story of Joseph a bible character known for resilience and responsibility, to remind graduates the importance of maintaining discipline and a strong work ethic, even in challenging circumstances.

He encouraged the graduates to adopt Joseph’s mindset, emphasizing that success is often a product of perseverance and a commitment to one’s values.

 “I am so happy with the work of the Makerere University Convocation team to give the alumni a home. We are going to use this network for planning and executing good ideas to ensure Makerere University continues to nurture generations,” Rwabwogo said.

Responding to a question from the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on how Makerere University could partner with him to improve exports, Mr. Rwabwogo revealed his readiness to tap into research and development projects, and work with the University to commercialise the research outputs into products. He equally appealed to the University leadership, staff and the Convocation to popularize entrepreneurship throughout the University.

In his speech, the Vice Chancellor commended MUBS for its admirable growth from 3,000 students in 1993 when the School moved to its Nakawa premises to nearly 20,000 students today.

“MUBS has grown both in quality and quantity. As Makerere, we are proud of MUBS as the best school of business on the continent,” Prof. Nawangwe said.

Addressing guests, Engineer Isaac Mubarak Ngobya, the Chairperson of MUBS Council, noted that academicians must be promoted and awarded in this Country. He explained that most Universities do not advertise jobs for teaching assistants because the opportunity is always given to the best students who have excelled and attained First Class degrees-Honours Division.

“We are not being rebellious, but we always pick from the best, nurture them until they become Professors. Academicians must be identified, nurtured, promoted and awarded,” Eng. Ngobya, said.

He called upon academicians to also carry out research which is applicable to the development challenges in Uganda.

During the graduation, George Mugabi Turyamureeba, the Chairperson of the Convocation called upon the University management to retain the best brains by giving them scholarship opportunities to upgrade to Master’s level and jobs as teaching assistants.

Mr. Turyamureeba explained that once the idea is adopted, it will spur academic competition, where many will read hard to excel with First Class degrees.

“Once academically brilliant students are offered scholarships to attain Masters’ degrees, it will also contribute to improving the quality of researchers in the Country,” Mr. Turyamureeba, said.

During the graduation, Abdul Latif Bagoole received the Convocation Award as the Best Student in the Humanities disciplines on the third day of Makerere University‘s 75^th Graduation Ceremony-Wednesday 15^th January 2025.

His outstanding academic achievement was marked by an impressive CGPA of 4.97 in the Bachelor of Leisure and Hospitality Management.

During the function, MUBS Principal, Prof. Moses Muhwezi, implored all the First-class students to always uphold the good values and principles that guided their excellence in academics as they join the world outside the university.

First class students speak out

Francis Mwesigwa, who graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) score of 4.78 could not believe that he was in the same tent with some of Uganda’s celebrated personalities.

“I am overwhelmed, I never knew that I would ever sit with some of the people in this tent. I have been watching most of them on Television. This is a great reward for the hard work that I put into my education,” Mwesigwa said. He called upon the University to retain most of the best students.

Daisy Patience Amase, who graduated with a Master of Science in Marketing was grateful to Makerere University Convocation, a network that will help many students transit into employment. She used the same opportunity to acknowledge Dr. Tanga Odoi for being a very kind individual who inspired her to study hard and excel in academics.

Touched by Amase’s testimony, Dr. Tanga Odo advised Ugandans and graduates, “When you have a chance to help someone climb a ladder, always help.”

At the same luncheon, Dr. Tanga Odoi was recognized by the current leadership of the convocation for his exceptional service in stewarding the Convocation and for aggressively mobilizing the alumni to join Makerere University Convocation.

During his time as the Chairperson of Makerere University Convocation, Dr. Tanga Odoi started the mobilization drive for the Makerere University Perimeter Wall. With the funds raised, Dr. Tanga Odoi and his team commenced the construction of the Perimeter Wall from Wandegeya (near University Hall) up to Kikoni.

“It is always good to start. We started with 500,000/=, and when we mobilized up to 47 million shillings, I convinced my team at the Makerere University Convocation to start on the first phase of the Makerere University Perimeter Wall project. This was a very ambitious project, which required over five (5) billion shillings.

“Impressed by the good start, President Museveni supported us with the Government of Uganda, coming on board to fund 90% of the construction works of the Makerere University Perimeter Wall” added Dr. Tanga Odoi.

Appreciating the award, Dr. Tanga Odoi said: “I am exceedingly humbled by the award. I came to Makerere University in 1984, and Makerere University has given me all the recognitions; from my first degree to the ranks in the academia, and at this moment, personal recognition. Thank you so much.”

Comparing the working environment at Makerere University with the work in politics, Dr. Tanga Odoi who came to Makerere University on 4^th October 1984 said there is no place better than Makerere University. He explained that the working environment in academic institutions is not as toxic as that in politics.

Noting the continuous growth of Makerere University convocation, Dr. Tanga Odoi commended the current Chairperson, Mr. George Turyamureeba. He noted that during his short time as the Chairperson, he has been able to build and transform the convocation into an admirable space with a conventional building and Office spaces.

“George Turyamureeba, I thank you, and your young team, for leading the Makerere University Convocation, building the Convocation block and offices, and organizing engagements such as this Graduation Luncheon that provides space for seasoned professionals, leaders and politicians to mentor the young people and graduates.”

Upholding the value of friendship and encouraging the graduates and alumni of Makerere University to have true friends, Dr. Tanga Odoi acknowledged the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe as a true friend.

“I thank the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe for being a reliable friend. The Vice Chancellor has been my guide during the times when I took over leadership as Chairperson of the Makerere University Academic Staff (MUASA) and later, as Chairperson of Makerere University Convocation.”

Writers:                       Carol Kasujja Adii and Ritah Namisango

Photographer:           Christopher Kaahwa