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By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/ KMA Updates.
Kampala, Uganda: Julia Muhumuza shines in glory as over 4000 students from Makerere University Business School graduate
at 72nd Graduation ceremony.
MUBS has today graduated a total of 4378 students, making today’s session the largest during this 72nd graduation ceremony
Julia Muhumuza receives an award from Prof. Ezra Suruma, the Chancellor of Makerere University on Day 4 of the 72nd graduation ceremony/Courtesy Photo.
Different cerebration styles were seen inside and outside the mighty Makerere University Freedom Square after students were awarded in different academic disciplines at 72nd Graduation Ceremony. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
Graduates are seen taking selfies with their phones for memory outside Freedom Square. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
(R-L) Prof. Ezra Suruma, Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Juma Wasswa Balunywa, Principal of Makerere University Business Studies and Ms. Lorna Magara, the Makerere University Council Chairperson/Courtesy Photo.
Prof. Juma Wasswa Balunywa, the Principal of Makerere University Business School conveys his message during Day 4 of the 72nd Graduation Ceremony held at Makerere University’s mighty Freedom Square as Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University looks on/Courtesy Photo.
Makerere University Department of Performing Arts and Film entertains the gathering at Day 4 of the 72nd Makerere University Graduation Ceremony. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
3 Members of staff of MUBS are graduating with PhDs. These include Dr. Christopher Kusemererwa (In the picture), Dr. Ruth Atuhaire, Dr. Willy Turyahikayo. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
Walks of glory from the historical Makerere University 72nd Graduation Ceremony. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
Multitude of students are seen on steps with success confidence leaving the mighty Makerere University Square after being conferred in different academic discipline. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa
Graduates feel proud of Makerere University as it celebrates 100 years of academic excellence. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
Graduands are seen at Makerere University Freedom Square awaiting reading of their names in the graduation book. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
SPEECH BY THE VICE CHANCELLOR, PROF. BARNABAS NAWANGWE AT THE 72ND GRADUATION CEREMONY
ON 26TH MAY 2022.
- The Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Ezra Suruma;
- The Chairperson of Makerere University Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara;
- The Chairperson of MUBS Council, Dr. Isaac Mubarak Ngobya;
- Members of Makerere University Council;
- Members of the MUBS Council;
- Representatives of Government Ministries and Agencies;
- Religious Leaders;
- Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
- The Principal Of Makerere University Business School;
- The Deputy Vice Chancellors and Members of Management;
- Members of Senate and Staff of Makerere University;
- The Deputy Principal and Members of MUBS Management;
- Members of staff of MUBS;
- The Chairperson of Convocation;
- The Chairpersons of the Staff Associations
- The Guild President, MUBS;
- Members of the Press;
- Graduands;
- Invited Guests; Ladies and Gentlemen!
Welcome
I welcome you to the fourth session of the 72nd graduation ceremony of Makerere University, which is being held during the year when we mark 100 years of Makerere’s excellent service to Uganda and to humanity. I congratulate our graduands for not only working hard to qualify for graduation, but for doing so during our centenary celebrations. You are the centenary graduands.
Graduation Statistics
Mr. Chancellor, Sir, during this 72nd Graduation ceremony, a total of 12,474 graduands will receive degrees and diplomas of Makerere University. Of these, a total of 100 graduands will graduate with PhDs, 1,236 with Masters degrees, 10,998 with Bachelor’s degrees and 140 with undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas. 52 % of the graduands are female and 48 % are male.
Forty of the 100 PhD graduands and 492 of the 1,236 Masters graduands are female, representing 40% in each category. Surely this is steady progress.
Today we are graduating students from Makerere University Business School. MUBS will graduate a total of 4378 students, making today’s session the largest during this 72nd graduation ceremony. I congratulate the students and their professors on this achievement. I thank the parents, the guardians, the Government, and other sponsors, for supporting the students.
ACADEMIC
I congratulate MUBS on the appointment of the first female full Professor, Prof Laura Orobia. Congratulations, Prof. Orobia. I also congratulate the School on a very robust staff development policy, which has seen many members of staff attain higher qualifications. During the 72nd graduation ceremony, 3 Members of staff of MUBS are graduating with PhDs. These include Dr. Christopher Kusemererwa, Dr. Ruth Atuhaire, Dr. Willy Turyahikayo.
Makerere University Business School is the only institution affiliated to Makerere University by law. We are proud of MUBS and, as the best school of business in Africa, the enormous contribution she makes to Makerere’s international stature and reputation. I am encouraged by the efforts by the MUBS Management to instill a culture of research at the School. I am particularly encouraged by the joint research undertaken by researchers at the main campus and those at MUBS, especially through the Research and Innovation Fund, which has been made possible by the allocation of UGX 30billion for research by the Government of Uganda. This is the way to go and I encourage you to consolidate the gains so far made.
The critical role played by MUBS in Uganda’s socio-economic development cannot be over emphasized. I look forward to full participation of the School in our support to the Parish Development Model, the brainchild of our Chancellor, Prof. Suruma. Jointly, we have a moral responsibility to support the Parish Development Model, which is the best innovation to spur economic development of our Country.
I am aware that MUBS has established specialized centers, which can be used as vehicles to support the Parish Development Model. Yesterday, I mentioned AFRISA as another model which is being considered as one of the initiatives that will be used to implement the Model. I must make a clarification that the AFRISA governance is under review by the University Council and I hope that this will be completed sooner than letter so that we can harness the potential in this initiative.
PARTNERSHIPS & LINKAGES
I congratulate MUBS on establishing partnerships and linkages, which facilitate research and knowledge transfer partnerships, including:
- Drake University International exchange, USA;
- Launch of the Ugandan Chapter of International Association of Energy Economics;
- Establishment of the MUBS Knowledge for Development Center;
- 10years of the exchange programme with Copenhagen Business School.
- Uganda Prisons Services; MUBS continues to support inmates with certificate training;
- MUBS is moving to offer fellowship to the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces and the Uganda Police Force
- The MUBS Leadership Webinar series by Prof. Balunywa has grown in numbers to over 1000 participants and I congratulate you, Prof. Balunywa. As you are aware, I am one of your regular participants.
Let me take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Ramathan Ggobi former member of Staff at MUBS on being appointed Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury.
Restoration of the Main Building
You will recall that in September 2020, the Makerere university Main Administration building was destroyed by fire. I am glad to report that the reconstruction of our iconic Main Administration Building has commenced after the Government released the full sum of UGX 21 billion required. Please join me in thanking the Government for this and other infrastructure projects, which are fully funded by Government.
Mak@100 Celebrations
This year Makerere is celebrating 100 years of excellent service to humanity. The climax will be on 8th October 2022. The activities for celebration of this important milestone include public lectures, conferences and seminars, alumni events, exhibitions and others. I wish to invite all our graduands and your parents and guardians to participate in the se celebrations. Soon we will provide information regarding modalities of contributing to funding these activities and our legacy projects, including a Student Centre, which MUBS students will be free to make use of.
A Word to the Graduands
Finally, a word to the graduands. As you leave the gates of Makerere I urge you to always be proud of your Alma Mater and be her good Ambassadors wherever fate will place you. Remember that ignorance is the most expensive commodity and strive to always increase your knowledge through farther training, and the gates of Makerere are still open for you. Put your trust in God and honor your parents and opportunities will be opened for you. And please: Do not Forget the Gates of Makerere. Please note that transcripts for the MUBS graduands will be ready for picking beginning second week of June 2022. Graduands on Masters programmes may pick their certificates immediately upon graduation. May God Bless you All!
I thank you for your attention.
It is now my honor and privilege to invite the Chancellor to address the congregation. Mr. Chancellor, Sir.
Signed: _________________________________ Date: 26th May 2022
VICE CHANCELLOR.
ADDRESS BY THE CHANCELLOR PROFESSOR EZRA SURUMA ON THE OCCASION OF THE 72nd GRADUATION CEREMONY OF MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
THURSDAY 26th MAY, 2022
Honorable Ministers
Honorable Members of Parliament
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Your Lordships the Judges of the Judicature
Religious Leaders
The Leadership of Kampala Capital City Authority
Representatives of Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies
Chancellors and former Chancellors
Chairperson and Members of Makerere University Council
Vice-Chancellor and Members of the University Management Team
Former Vice Chancellors
Former University Management Staff
Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Principals of other Universities and Institutions
Members of the University Senate
Members of Staff of Makerere University
Parents and Guardians
Graduands
The Media Fraternity
Distinguished Visitors
Ladies and Gentlemen:
…………………………………………………………………….
It is a great honor and privilege for me to welcome you all to the 72nd Graduation of Makerere University. I thank the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, for his remarks and for all the excellent arrangements made by the administration in organizing these graduation ceremonies. Thank you very much.
I also wish to recognize the enormous contributions made by various stakeholders to the growth and strength of Makerere University as it marks 100 years of existence. The government of Uganda has fully supported the university in financing numerous important programs including research and infrastructure as highlighted by the Vice Chancellor. We are most grateful to the government for this support.
I also wish to thank the Makerere University Council led by Mrs. Lorna Magara for their untiring efforts in supporting the administration to ensure the smooth functioning of the university. Thank you very much.
Additionally, I also recognize the contributions of the Senate, the development partners and all other stakeholders of Makerere University. I wholeheartedly thank the academic staff who have done so much to guide you through the complexities of academic life. I am sure that in the future you will look back to your years at Makerere with gratitude and affection for their contribution to your struggle.
The Vice Chancellor in his addresses to the last three graduation sessions, highlighted a long list of Makerere University’s achievements. There is no doubt that Makerere University is a significant player on the continental and global academic and research stage. We are proud of this achievement and we urge faculty, staff, students and administration to continue to strengthen the reputation of Makerere University as a center of excellence in research and teaching.
Today is the Fourth Session of Makerere University’s 72nd Graduation Ceremony and we are conferring degrees on graduands from the famous Makerere University School of Business (MUBS). I thank all the faculty and staff of MUBS for the excellent job they continue to do to train Ugandans in business administration and management sciences. And let me commend Professor Balunywa and Professor Nawangwe for restoring sanity and cooperation in the relations between MUBS and the rest of Makerere University.
I thank the parents, guardians, relatives, friends, religious leaders and donors who supported you socially, emotionally and financially. Please join me in thanking all those men and women whose love and sacrifice have contributed to your academic achievements today. I pray that this completion of your degree will become a pattern of many other finished works in your life.
Five years ago, I told MUBS graduands that the degrees we were awarding to them could be seen as a letter to the world. The letter is addressed “TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN”. It says that the bearer of this letter, this certificate, was “processed” at Makerere University for a period of three or more years. He/she was subjected to relentless hardships including mental torture, financial deprivation, social alienation and continuous intellectual harassment otherwise known as testing and examination. Having survived all those hardships, Makerere University has awarded him/her a survivor’s certificate. It testifies that he/she is tested and proved for tough duties anywhere in the world. Thank you very much for finishing what you came here to do. You have brought glory not only to yourselves but also to your loved ones, to your parents, to your friends and to God.
Of course the world you are entering is filled with both old and new challenges. For example, the geopolitical environment has gone from cold war to hot war. We now have to find solutions for survival in this new environment. I believe that we have to be more creative, to increase the range of products and services we have to offer to the world and to find new markets for our products. I personally greatly welcome the expansion of the East African Community to include the Democratic Republic of Congo. This may be the most important market opportunity for Uganda since independence. But of course a market is only of value when you have something to sell.
Despite the severe limitations imposed by the lack of capital and the cost of capital, we must intensify our creativity to find ways to break these limitations. We must realize that this challenge is a continuation of the African struggle for freedom. Colonialism has never ended. It just continued in a new form. So it is up to us to wake up to that challenge in order to set ourselves free.
Let us endeavor to stand firm on our principles even in the face of adversity. As Paul writes in his letter to the people of Ephesus, “See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15). Fighting against slavery and colonialism and imperialism has never been easy. Each generation must make its contribution to this struggle. But we must wake up and not sleep when our house is on fire.
I know there is a price to pay for standing for what you believe in. Indeed next week we shall be remembering the Uganda Martyrs who made a stand for what they believed and paid with their lives. Uganda is the land of many martyrs. And as long as the challenges of poverty and injustice remain, we have no choice but to struggle for survival in our world. From the microeconomic struggle at the household level in the parish to the national and regional struggles for markets for coffee and oil, it is now your burden to make a contribution to the solutions to that struggle. Winston Churchill is quoted to have said about courage that:
“Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities because it has been said, it is the quality which guarantees all others.”
Every one of us needs to ask God for wisdom to help us to do what is right in the face of the hard challenges that lie before us. Today you have the gift of time, of being alive where many have passed, the gift of a sound mind, the gift of eyes and hands and a strong heart. Do not take these gifts for granted. And don’t waste them. They were given to you for a purpose. What is that purpose for which you are living for? Or dying for?
14 Many years ago when I was in exile from the regime of Idi Amin I used to attend a church in Florida in the USA and I used to hear a song that stuck in my head. It said that
“If I can help somebody as I pass along
Then my living will not be in vain.”
As the years have gone by, I have come to terms with the implications of that song. If you can help somebody as you pass along then your life, your gifts, will not be in vain. And it is not all about doing big things. Or, as Mother Theresa is quoted to have said: “We don’t do great things. We do small things with great love.” It is a big dark world out there. There is a desperate need for a helping hand. Please take your candle and shed some light wherever God has put you. You might not make the national or international headlines. But to those whom you give a helping hand you will be the most important headline of their life.
I wish you God’s blessings in your life. Thank you very much.