Education
Mak 76th Graduation Ceremony: CEES Celebrates Academic Excellence, with 27 PhDs
24th February 2026– Makerere University officially commenced its 76th Graduation Ceremony, setting the stage for a four-day celebration of academic excellence scheduled to run until 27th February 2026. The landmark event brought together government and university officials, faculty, staff, graduands, parents and guardians, development partners, and the media, in a vibrant display of achievement. A total of 9,295 graduands were presented by the respective colleges for the conferment of degrees and the award of diplomas and certificates.
On the first day, presided over by the Chancellor, Hon. Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, the congregation at the Freedom Square witnessed Principals, Deputy Principals, Deans and faculty presenting students for graduation from the following colleges: Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Education and External Studies (CEES), Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) and the School of Law.
CEES Graduation Statistics
The College of Education and External Studies (CEES) presented 824 graduands for the conferment of degrees and the award of diplomas. These included 27 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, 106 Master’s degrees, 111 Postgraduate Diplomas, 572 Bachelor’s degrees, and 8 Diplomas—a reflection of the College’s strong postgraduate research profile and its continued investment in advancing professional and teacher education.
CEES champions digital transformation and Competence-Based Education
Addressing the congregation, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, underscored the strategic role of the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) in driving the University’s digital and pedagogical transformation. He observed that CEES has remained at the forefront of championing Makerere’s digital agenda, notably through the institutionalisation of the Institute of Open, Distance and eLearning.
“The College of Education and External Studies continues to play a pivotal role in Makerere University’s digital and pedagogical transformation by Championing the digital transformation of Makerere University. In pursuit of digital transformation, Makerere University institutionalised the Institute of Open, Distance, and eLearning effective January 1, 2025. The College, through the Institute of Open, Distance, and eLearning, in collaboration with the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), is implementing a KOICA-funded project aimed at enhancing the distance education environment at Makerere University,” Prof. Nawangwe said.
The Vice Chancellor noted that the initiative reflects Makerere’s deliberate shift towards innovative, technology-enabled learning models designed to expand access, enhance quality, and position the University as a leader in digital higher education in the region.
He explained that the initiative has already yielded significant milestones, including the development and approval of a 10-year Distance Education Master Plan (2025–2035), the construction of a four-storey Open, Distance and eLearning Centre, and the capacity building of academic staff in multimedia e-content production.
He emphasized that these efforts, alongside the ongoing Phase II of the eLearning Initiative supported by the Mastercard Foundation, demonstrate Makerere’s resolve to integrate online and face-to-face learning in expanding access to quality higher education.
Affirming CEES’ growing continental stature, the Vice Chancellor applauded the College for its leadership in advancing Competence-Based Education (CBE) across Africa. He reported that in 2025, CEES successfully coordinated eight partner institutions and secured a prestigious €1 million ERASMUS+ grant to spearhead the institutionalisation of CBE in East and West Africa.
Through the Transitioning Higher Education Regulators and Universities to Competence-Based Education (TRUCE) initiative, he noted, the College is working collaboratively with regulatory bodies, universities, and industry stakeholders to realign teaching methodologies, assessment frameworks, and digital integration towards demonstrable learner competencies that respond to labour-market demands and societal priorities.
Graduates urged on entrepreneurship and employment
To the graduates, Prof. Nawangwe reminded them of the prestige and responsibility that comes with a Makerere degree, “You are graduating with a degree from one of the best universities on earth. We have equipped you with the knowledge and skills that will make you employable or create your own businesses and employ others. Do not despair if you cannot find employment; instead reflect on the immense opportunities around you and rise to the occasion as an entrepreneur. Do not despise humble beginnings. To the graduands of PhDs, you are now global science citizens. Africa expects much from you. Use your degree to transform our Continent.”
Funding of Research and Innovation
The Chancellor, Hon. Dr. Crispus Kiyonga stated that research plays a very vital role in the development of any community. In this regard, the Chancellor thanked the government of Uganda for committing UGX 30 Billion through the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (MakRIF). He lauded the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat-Office of the President for supporting research initiatives at Makerere University aimed at promoting home grown solutions to our various challenges.
The Chancellor called upon the graduates to tap into opportunities at the University to broaden their knowledge on the world, communities and societies.
Government Commits USD 162 million concessional loan for Laboratory and Infrastructural development, orders shift to Competence-Based Education.
The Guest of Honour, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, Minister of Education and Sports and First Lady of Uganda, represented by State Minister for Primary Education, Hon. Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, commended Makerere University for its pivotal role in nurturing leaders, sharpening scholars, and giving direction to dreams. She congratulated the University Council, management, staff, and graduands for their dedication, noting that Makerere continues to serve as a model institution for academic excellence and national development.
Addressing the transition to Competence-Based Education, the Minister restated the directive that all higher education institutions must prepare for full implementation of Competence-Based Education and Training by July 2027. She urged Makerere University, and particularly CEES, to lead in curriculum reform, staff training, and infrastructure development to ensure graduates are equipped with practical skills, innovation, and problem-solving abilities.
“As we celebrate today’s achievements, we must also look far to the future. I reiterate a key directive from the Ministry of Education and Sports: all institutions of higher learning must prepare for the full implementation of Competence-Based Education and Training by July 2027. This is not merely a policy change; it is a fundamental shift in how we prepare our graduates. We are moving toward a model that emphasizes practical skills, innovation, and problem-solving. I request the Vice Chancellor and your team to lead the way in curriculum reform, staff training, and infrastructure development to make Competence-Based Education (CBE) a reality,” she said.
The Minister highlighted the Government’s deliberate investments in higher education, particularly in research, innovation, infrastructure, and academic development. She underscored key initiatives including the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (Mak-RIF), which supports high-impact research and innovation addressing national priorities, and the USD 162 million concessional loan for modernizing university infrastructure, including state-of-the-art laboratories and smart classrooms. The minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening higher education through research funding, digital transformation, and strategic partnerships, emphasizing that universities must not only produce graduates but also solution-makers and job creators.
In her message to the graduands, the minister urged graduands to use their degrees to solve problems and create jobs, emphasizing the need for innovators, engineers, healthcare professionals, and educators. She encouraged them to stay adaptable, creative, ethical, and committed to lifelong learning, while seizing opportunities like the Parish Development Model to drive sustainable community transformation.
Commencement Speaker encourages Knowledge with Purpose and Service with Integrity
Delivering the commencement address under the theme “Knowledge with Purpose, Service with Integrity”, Prof. Nicholas Ozor, Executive Director of the African Technology Policy Studies Network, reminded graduates that Makerere University has long been a beacon of scholarship and a home for thinkers, innovators, reformers, and leaders. From its halls have emerged presidents, jurists, scientists, educators, technologists, and agricultural pioneers whose work has shaped Uganda, the continent, and the world. Prof. Ozor informed graduands of the storied legacy they had joined, marking both the end of one chapter and the beginning of another; one that demands knowledge, courage, creativity, integrity, and service.
“From these halls have emerged presidents, jurists, scientists, educators, technologists, and agricultural pioneers whose ideas have shaped not only Uganda, but the continent and the world. Among those who studied here are former Presidents such as Julius Nyerere, Mwai Kibaki, Milton Obote, Benjamin Mkapa, and Joseph Kabila. Graduates, today you join this storied legacy of a great citadel of learning. This moment did not come cheaply. It was earned through late nights, failed attempts, financial strain, resilience, and persistence. Today we celebrate your achievement—but even more, we recognize your responsibility,” he articulated.
Addressing the CEES graduands, he emphasized that they are custodians of the future, noting that the quality of teachers directly shapes the future of nations. He urged them to never underestimate the power of the classroom, to teach not only for examinations but for understanding, to teach both content and character, and to cultivate critical thinking rather than rote knowledge. He described education as quiet work whose impact echoes across generations.
Beyond CEES, Prof. Ozor delivered key lessons for all graduates, stressing that character, integrity, humility, and resilience will outlast certificates and grades. He encouraged them to embrace lifelong learning, choose purpose over comfort, build character before career, serve something larger than themselves, and believe in Africa by taking initiative to solve its challenges. He pointed out that failure is part of growth, urging them to let it refine rather than define them.
He acknowledged the sacrifices of parents and guardians, noting that their financial, emotional, and spiritual support is embedded in every certificate awarded. Prof. Ozor concluded with a call for graduates to carry the values of Makerere into the world, whether in government, private sector, civil society, academia, or entrepreneurship. He encouraged them to build justice, minds, systems, and sustainable futures, honoring their families, their nation, and the University itself, reminding them that the future is watching and waiting for their contribution.
Photo Credit: Christopher Kaahwa – Communications Practitioner
On Thursday 23rd April 2026, people from different spheres of life, filled the Makerere University Main Hall to the brim, while other friends, partners and admirers, followed the proceedings virtually in a display of love and continuity, in honour of the legacy of Professor George William Senteza Kajubi, a distinguished scholar and educationist.
Prof. George William Senteza Kajubi, respected for being the first African Fulbright Scholar, served as a Vice Chancellor at Makerere University from 1977 to 1979, and 1990 to 1993.
He passed away on 1st May 2012, but his good works, knowledge, vocation, continue to inspire countless individuals across the globe.
Education Policy Reform as an Enabler of Student Success: The Kajubi Legacy
The 6th Annual Professor Senteza Kajubi Fulbright Memorial Lecture brought onboard the family of the late, the US Ambassador to Uganda, senior government officials, the Vice Chancellor and members of the University Management, the Uganda Vice Chancellors’ Forum, academics, staff, alumni, university and secondary school students, and international partners. All gathered for a detailed reflection on Uganda’s education system under the theme “Education Policy Reform as an Enabler of Student Success: The Kajubi Legacy.”
The lecture, organised by the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) at Makerere University in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Uganda and the Fulbright Program, evolved into a wide-ranging policy dialogue on curriculum reform, student learning outcomes, teacher training, digital transformation, and the legacy of Prof. William Senteza Kajubi.
Speakers repeatedly cited Kajubi’s 1989 Education Policy Review Commission Report, which many described as the foundation of modern Uganda’s education architecture, including the 1992 Government White Paper on Education for National Development.
Senteza Kajubi was a pioneering intellectual and reformer
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe re-affirmed Senteza Kajubi’s intellectual depth and policy influence and shared personal reflections on his legacy.
“Prof. Senteza Kajubi was an exceptional intellectual. I had the opportunity to travel with him for two weeks—witnessing his depth of intelligence, clarity of thought, and remarkable generosity in sharing knowledge.”
Prof. Nawangwe emphasized Senteza Kajubi’s contribution to Uganda’s education policy framework. “Prof. Senteza Kajubi authored the 1989 Education Policy Review Commission Report—still one of the most comprehensive analyses of Uganda’s education system. Many reforms today echo his forward-looking recommendations.”
Prof. Nawangwe highlighted Senteza Kajubi’s leadership at Makerere, where he served as Vice Chancellor of Makerere University at critical moments, shaping the institution into what it is today.
On international cooperation, Prof. Nawangwe stated that the United States remains central to Uganda’s development. The Vice Chancellor, acknowledged the U.S for being a strong supporter of education and research at Makerere University. He then welcomed the U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, H.E William Popp, to address the congregation, at Makerere University Main Hall.
Education is a bridge between nations
The U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. William Popp, framed the lecture within the broader philosophy of international education exchange. “Education is one of the most powerful instruments for promoting relations between people and building bridges across cultures,” he said.
The Ambassador highlighted Senteza Kajubi’s historic role in the Fulbright Program: “Professor Senteza Kajubi was the first Fulbright scholar from Africa. He bridged two worlds and returned not only with knowledge, but with a vision for what Ugandan education could become.”
He emphasized education as a tool for transformation: “Education policy must serve students—the young people whose families and nations depend on them.”
He argued that education systems must prepare learners for an uncertain future: “Students must be prepared not only for today’s jobs, but for careers that do not yet exist.”
H.E. Popp stressed the dual nature of education: “The best education provides technical skills for employment and develops creativity, independent thinking, and problem-solving abilities” he said, adding “Let us honour the legacies of Senator Fulbright and Professor Kajubi not only in words, but in action.”
Senteza Kajubi remains the foundation of Uganda’s education reforms
Prof. Anthony M. Mugagga, Principal of CEES, described Prof. William Senteza Kajubi as central to Uganda’s education system design and reform trajectory.
“It is very hard to talk about education reforms in Uganda without mentioning the name William Senteza Kajubi,” Prof. Mugagga said. “For over thirty years, Uganda’s education system has had as its fulcrum the Kajubi Report (1989) and the resultant Uganda Government White Paper on Education for National Development (1992).”
He emphasized that Senteza Kajubi’s influence extended beyond policy documents into the broader transformation of Ugandan society. “His vision and dedication to education have had a lasting impact on Uganda, not only as an education system, but also on the entire Ugandan polity served by this system.”
Prof. Mugagga described Senteza Kajubi as a “beacon of academic excellence” and highlighted his leadership roles at Makerere University during periods of institutional and national crisis.
“His leadership, particularly during challenging times, serves as a testament to his unwavering commitment to fostering a higher education system that is not only academically rigorous but also deeply rooted in responsibility, ethics, and civic engagement.”
He connected Senteza Kajubi’s philosophy to the current reforms in the education sector, which provide a transition to the competence-based curriculum.
Reflecting on Senteza Kajubi’s legacy, Prof. Mugagga stressed that universities must remain relevant by engaging in continuous policy dialogue. “The only way the College of Education and External Studies can justify its existence is by engaging in meaningful dialogue about education policy reforms from pre-primary to university level.”
“Implementation defines policy success”
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Mary Goretti Nakabugo, Executive Director of Uwezo Uganda, described Kajubi’s policy legacy as the backbone of Uganda’s education system. “A policy is as good as its implementation,” she stated.
She outlined the foundational principles of the 1989 Commission: “Education is for everyone, and education should produce responsible citizens.”
She explained that Senteza Kajubi’s reforms prioritized inclusion and equity: “The commission emphasized universal access, teacher training, foundational learning, and inclusion of marginalized groups.”
She warned that Uganda faces persistent learning gaps: “Even at Primary Seven, some learners cannot read basic texts.”
She criticized the overemphasis on enrolment over learning outcomes: “For too long, the focus has been on access rather than whether children are actually learning.”
Dr. Nakabugo called for systemic reforms: “We must strengthen school management, expand pre-primary education, and invest in inclusive learning systems.” She stressed: “If we are to honour Professor Senteza Kajubi’s legacy, we must ensure that every child not only enters school, but succeeds in it.”
Senteza Kajubi’s vision was holistic education for life
Prof. Eriabu Lugujjo, Executive Director of the Uganda Vice Chancellors’ Forum (UVCF), offered a deeply reflective account of Senteza Kajubi’s philosophy of education, grounded in five core pillars.
He recalled first meeting Senteza Kajubi in 1960: “I first met Professor Senteza Kajubi when I was in Senior One at Makerere College School. He was among the top student teachers at the time.”
Prof. Lugujjo explained Senteza Kajubi’s core educational philosophy: “He emphasized that learning should involve and engage the learners. Students must be confident, know what they want, and express themselves clearly.”
To drive home the point, Prof. Lugujjo informed the audience in the Main Hall and those following the lecture virtually, that Prof. Senteza Kajubi always emphasized the need for student confidence: “He told us to look people in the eye when speaking. That built confidence in us.”
He outlined the five pillars of Kajubi’s education philosophy: “Learning to be, learning to know, learning to do, learning to learn, and learning to live together.”
He emphasized lifelong learning: “Learning should never stop, especially in developing countries where skills must continuously evolve”, and concluded by reiterating “Education should produce confident, skilled, adaptable, and socially responsible individuals.”
Technology must remain human-centred.
Dr. Richard Scott Nokes, a Full Professor of English at Troy University and currently a Fulbright Scholar in Uganda, situated education within historical technological transformations. “Technology must serve the human. The human must never serve the technology.”
He examined the evolution of education through three major shifts: the printing press, global mobility through Fulbright exchanges, and digital technologies.
On online learning: “Students can now learn across continents without travelling, but the classroom community has weakened.”
On artificial intelligence, he emphasized the need for balance:“We need AI that knows Uganda and the world—not one or the other,” he pointed out. “None of these technologies teach by themselves. They are tools we use to teach one another” he added.
Senteza Kajubi as a man of culture, humility, and access
Representing the family, Beverley Nambozo, Prof. Senteza Kajubi’s eldest granddaughter and founder of the Babishai Niwe (BN) Poetry, delivered a personal tribute.
“Professor Senteza Kajubi was a gentleman who carried much of the legacy of Africa’s Fulbright experience on his shoulders in the 1950s.”
She recounted his experience studying in the United States: “He spoke about long bus rides across Chicago and the challenges he faced as a young man abroad.”
She highlighted his support for education and literature: “Every time I published a book, he would buy at least five copies.”
She emphasised his inclusive philosophy: “He spoke to gardeners and household workers about their views on education” and concluded with a quote “Time stays and we go, but time cannot erase the legacy we create.”
During a panel discussion, moderator Dr. Leah Namatome-Sikoyo, a member of faculty at CEES, emphasized collective responsibility in education reform. “To realise transformative education, everyone has a role to play—government, policymakers, teachers, learners, parents, and citizens.”
The 2026 Senteza Kajubi Fulbright Memorial Lecture reaffirmed Kajubi’s central role in shaping Uganda’s education system and highlighted urgent challenges in implementation, learning quality, inclusivity, and digital transformation.
The family of the late Prof. Senteza Kajubi and the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, commended the Organizing Committee chaired by the Deputy Principal, Prof. Ronald Bisaso for the excellent planning, coordination and execution.
Event Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCS7up
Education
Advancing Education Policy Dialogue through Partnership: Makerere Hosts the 2026 Senteza Kajubi Fulbright Memorial Lecture
Makerere University continues to position itself as a hub for global academic exchange and strategic partnerships, as demonstrated by the successful hosting of the 2026 Professor William Senteza Kajubi Fulbright Memorial Lecture.
Now in its fourth edition since the revitalisation of the lecture series in 2022, the Kajubi Lecture has evolved beyond a commemorative academic event into a powerful platform for institutional collaboration, most notably between Makerere University and the United States Embassy in Uganda. This partnership, anchored in the shared legacy of Professor William Senteza Kajubi as the first African Fulbright Scholar, reflects a deeper commitment to knowledge exchange, diplomacy, and education reform.
The 2026 lecture, held on April 23 at the Makerere University Main Hall, convened a diverse audience of policymakers, scholars, Fulbright alumni, students, and development partners, underscoring the multi-stakeholder approach required to drive meaningful education reform.
At the heart of this collaboration is a shared belief in the transformative power of education and international exchange. In his remarks, the United States Ambassador to Uganda, William W. Popp, emphasised that the Fulbright Program represents more than academic mobility; it is a bridge between nations, fostering mutual understanding and long-term cooperation. He noted that such exchanges strengthen both countries by creating enduring networks of collaboration and shared knowledge.
This partnership is not incidental but rather intentional. Through the Advancement and International Office, Makerere University has strategically aligned the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) with the U.S. Embassy to ensure that the Kajubi Lecture serves as both an intellectual platform and a diplomatic touchpoint. The lecture reinforces ongoing cooperation while also expanding opportunities for academic exchange, research collaboration, and alumni engagement.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Mary Goretti Nakabugo, Executive Director of Uwezo Uganda, brought the discussion back to the core purpose of education policy: enabling student success. Her address traced the enduring influence of the Kajubi legacy on Uganda’s education system, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges in access, quality, and relevance.
At the heart of her message was a return to Kajubi’s foundational belief: that education is both a basic human right and a tool for shaping responsible citizens. Education, she emphasised, must go beyond the acquisition of certificates to cultivate values, critical thinking, and a sense of civic responsibility.
A central critique in the keynote was the increasing dominance of technocratic approaches to education policy. While economic growth and workforce readiness are important, Dr. Nakabugo cautioned against reducing education to a tool for productivity alone. In doing so, systems risk neglecting the broader purpose of education, to nurture well-rounded individuals capable of contributing meaningfully to society.
This calls for a redefinition of student success. Success, she argued, should not be measured solely by enrollment or completion rates, but by meaningful outcomes: literacy, competence, retention, and the ability to apply knowledge in real-world contexts. It is about preparing learners not just for jobs, but for life.
To achieve this, Dr. Nakabugo called for a renewed commitment to the Kajubi vision. This includes making education truly universal and equitable, investing in teachers and infrastructure, strengthening inclusive support systems, and reducing the financial burden on families. Equally important is the need to re-centre values such as critical thinking, citizenship, and accountability within the education system.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University further underscored this point, noting that education remains one of the most powerful instruments for building bridges between people and cultures. He expressed appreciation to the United States for its continued support, recognising the partnership as a critical contributor to Uganda’s development and to Makerere’s global outlook.
Before the Senteza Kajubi Memorial lecture, at a farewell cocktail session for H.E Ambassador. William Popp, the Vice Chancellor, expressed sincere appreciation to H.E. Amb. William W. Popp for his distinguished service and steadfast support to Makerere University during his tenure. He noted that the United States has remained a key partner in advancing the University’s global engagement, with a significant number of Makerere’s academic and institutional partnerships anchored in collaborations with U.S. universities. The Vice Chancellor commended Ambassador Popp for strengthening these ties and for his commitment to fostering academic exchange, research collaboration, and mutual understanding between Uganda and the United States.
Importantly, the Kajubi Lecture continues to serve as a convening space for Fulbright alumni, policymakers, and scholars, reinforcing a growing network of individuals committed to shaping the future of education in Uganda and beyond. This aligns with the broader objective of the lecture to initiate and sustain conversations on education policy reform while strengthening institutional and international cooperation.
As Makerere University advances its strategic priorities in internationalisation and alumni engagement, the Kajubi Fulbright Memorial Lecture stands out as a model of how legacy, partnership, and purpose can converge to drive impact.
Kainomugisha Caroline is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.
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