The College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) proudly presented 1,523 graduands on the second day of Makerere University‘s 75th graduation ceremony. Among these, 7 were awarded PhDs, 195 earned master’s degrees, 3 completed postgraduate diplomas, and 1,318 graduated with undergraduate degrees. Female graduands made up 53% of the cohort, with 805 women and 718 men.
Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, lauded CoBAMS as Makerere’s youngest college but already a beacon of excellence in teaching and research. He noted the College’s pivotal role in linking the University with the government through collaborative projects. Key achievements highlighted include; the Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE) which was praised for spearheading impactful training programs, building the capacity of officials across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. The Environment for Development Centre was recognized for attracting grants totaling approximately USD $400,000. These funds supported capacity-building programs in Inclusive Green Economy for senior public servants, five research projects, policy dialogues, and community outreach activities.
The vice chancellor also recognized CoBAMS students who excelled in the Joint Facility for Electives (JFE) competition in Nairobi. Ritah Ahumuza, a Master of Arts in Economics student, achieved an outstanding average of 87.5%, the highest in over five years. She was honored with an award by the African Economic Research Consortium for her stellar performance.
Prof. Nawangwe expressed pride in the College’s strides in fostering innovation, academic success, and strategic partnerships, reinforcing Makerere University’s position as a global academic leader.
The Guest of Honour, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, represented by the State Minister for Primary Education, Hon. Joyce Kaducu, congratulated the graduands and acknowledged the parents for their sacrifices. She urged the students to be proactive contributors to Uganda’s development. “Go into the world and light a candle. Start humbly, face the future with courage, and create jobs rather than dispersing them,” she said.
During the week-long graduation ceremony, 13,658 graduands will receive their awards, including 143 PhDs, 1,813 master’s degrees, 11,454 bachelor’s degrees, and 243 postgraduate diplomas. Of these, 53% are female, and 44% of the PhD recipients are women. The Vice Chancellor noted these statistics as evidence of Makerere’s progress toward gender equity and research-led growth.
Prof. Nawangwe lauded the Government of Uganda’s support through initiatives like the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (Mak-RIF), which has enabled cutting-edge research.
Future Direction
The Chancellor, Hon. Dr. Kiyonga, outlined Makerere’s vision for expanding its community outreach and commercialization of research innovations. He proposed strengthening partnerships with private-sector investors to turn academic ideas into viable businesses. Dr. Kiyonga also encouraged the graduands to apply their skills to create opportunities in agriculture, education, and other sectors.
As Makerere celebrates its legacy as a beacon of higher education, CoBAMS exemplifies the transformative impact of education in transforming the economy. The achievements celebrated today reflect the university’s dedication to empowering individuals and fostering national development.
