In an inspiring commencement of its 74th graduation ceremony this week, Makerere University is set to award degrees and diplomas to a remarkable cohort of 12,913 students at the iconic Freedom Square. The ceremony, which began on Monday, is a testament to the university’s enduring legacy of academic excellence.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe shared the impressive breakdown of this year’s graduands, including 132 PhDs, 1,585 Master’s degrees, 11,016 Bachelor’s degrees, 156 postgraduate diplomas, and 24 undergraduate diplomas. Highlighting the gender diversity among the graduates, Prof. Nawangwe noted, “53% of the graduands are female and 47% are male, showcasing our commitment to gender equity in higher education.”
In an ambitious pledge towards academic advancement, Prof. Nawangwe declared, “Our goal is to graduate at least 200 PhDs annually, aligning with the World Bank’s call for 100,000 PhDs in Africa over the next decade to help eradicate poverty across the continent.”
The ceremony also honored the exceptional achievements of undergraduate students. Tusubira Silas Wamala and Atukunda Kevin both achieved a CGPA of 4.84 out of 5.0 in the humanities, while Ruhweza Charles Godfrey led the sciences with a CGPA of 4.8, earning accolades for their outstanding academic performance.
Special recognition was given to Ms. Abonga Delish, a MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program scholar, who received an award of academic excellence from Hon. Justice Alphonse Owiny-Dollo, Chief Justice of Uganda and distinguished alumnus, for her First Class Honours degree with a CGPA of 4.44.
Makerere University expressed gratitude towards the Government of Uganda, parents, guardians, sponsors, development partners, and friends for their invaluable support, acknowledging their crucial role in the success of the graduates.
As Makerere University continues to strive for academic excellence and gender equity, its commitment to producing highly qualified PhD graduates stands as a beacon of hope for the future of Africa. This year’s graduation not only celebrates the achievements of its students but also marks a significant step towards fulfilling the university’s ambitious educational goals.
