The Chancellor warmly welcomed all guests who attended the 19th Graduation Ceremony and congratulated all students who successfully fulfilled the necessary requirements for the conferment of Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates awarded to them. He extended his sincere gratitude to parents, sponsors, guardians, families, and friends whose support made this important milestone possible. He also appreciated the professors, lecturers, and administrators whose dedication and commitment to excellence greatly contributed to the graduands’ achievements.
The Chancellor noted that Makerere University continues to rely on the steadfast support of the Government of Uganda as a public institution. On behalf of the student community, he thanked H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the NRM Government for their invaluable contribution towards the University’s teaching, learning, and research mandate. He further emphasized that Makerere University remains aligned with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV (NDP IV), which prioritizes private sector-led growth. The plan aims to reduce subsistence farming to 21.1%, achieve a 10.1% GDP growth rate, increase exports to USD 10.3 billion, formalize the informal sector, and raise private sector credit to 29.6% of GDP. Through initiatives such as the Private Sector Development Programme, Makerere University continues to support public-private partnerships, MSME growth, business development services, and innovation hubs.
The Chancellor commended MUBS for its targeted contribution towards NDP IV’s agro-industrialization goals, including increasing agriculture financing to 15% and creating 60,000 jobs annually. He highlighted MUBS’ research on ICT adoption and innovation capabilities among agro-processing firms, as well as studies on international competitiveness in the dairy and grain sectors, which continue to enhance efficiency and export performance. These interventions are helping to commercialize agriculture and create competitive, job-rich enterprises.
In conclusion, he encouraged graduands to apply the knowledge and skills acquired at Makerere University and MUBS for the benefit of their families, communities, and the nation at large.
