Papa Were Salim, the 84th guild president of Makerere University, successfully graduated after an extensive 10-year academic pursuit. The ceremony, held at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity (COVAB), saw Papa among the 212 students conferred with degrees. Papa, who served as the guild president during the academic year 2017/2018, undertook a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine, a course spanning five years. Despite his initial enrollment in 2013 with the expected graduation year of 2019, Papa’s journey took a longer trajectory.
Facing challenges, including missing marks, Papa shared his resilience, emphasizing the importance of persistence and hope. Financially supported as a government-sponsored student for the initial five years, Papa managed to fund his tuition in the subsequent years. In an interview, Papa expressed his elation at finally reaching graduation day, acknowledging the support of his lecturers and reflecting on the value of not giving up. Notably, he gained prominence when, as guild president, he opposed a proposed tuition fee hike, leading to a successful demonstration that halted the policy.
Additional insights into Papa Were’s delayed graduation are given by dispelling the narrative of prioritizing leadership duties over education, Papa clarified that the prolonged period resulted from missing marks rather than neglecting studies. Opting for a lengthy process instead of redoing exams, he navigated various offices, facing delays due to the commitments of university officials.
Papa Were’s journey at Makerere involved not only academic challenges but also political activism. Before his presidency, he gained attention for a solo demonstration against the lifting of the presidential age limit. Later, he played a role in investigating the university’s financial challenges, contributing to a modified tuition fee increment proposal.
Despite his efforts, the 15% cumulative tuition increment approved by the university council led to campus unrest, with Papa facing accusations during student demonstrations. His residence was attacked, and belongings were set ablaze.
In the end, Papa Were Salim’s graduation stands as a testament to perseverance, overcoming challenges, and completing a decade-long academic journey at Makerere University.
