Makerere University on Tuesday celebrated its 76th graduation ceremony, awarding degrees to 9,295 students across various disciplines, reinforcing its status as a leading academic and research institution in the region.
Of the graduates, 213 earned Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, 2,053 received Master’s degrees, 6,343 obtained Bachelor’s degrees, 206 were awarded Postgraduate Diplomas, and 30 earned Diplomas.
The Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni, reaffirmed government’s commitment to providing adequate funding to Makerere University to ensure it produces high-quality graduates capable of driving Uganda’s development agenda.
Her message was delivered by the State Minister for Primary Education, Joyce Moriku Kaducu.
Mrs Museveni highlighted that research and innovation at Makerere University have grown significantly due to sustained government investment.
Strengthening research capacity, she said, remains central to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation, particularly in science, technology, and innovation.
Ms Kaducu disclosed that the government has invested approximately $162 million (about SHs580 billion) in research, enabling the university to expand its output and produce more experts in critical fields, particularly science and technology.
She added that the emphasis on research and innovation also informed the recent revision of the secondary school curriculum, designed to equip learners with practical, problem-solving skills and foster creativity to address real-world challenges in communities.
The minister challenged the graduates to become job creators rather than job seekers, urging them to apply the knowledge and competencies acquired to develop enterprises, generate employment, and contribute meaningfully to national development.
The ceremony marked not only an academic milestone for thousands of students but also reinforced government’s broader commitment to investing in higher education as a catalyst for sustainable growth and transformation.