KAMPALA, Uganda — Makerere University has commenced its 76th Graduation Ceremony, a four-day academic event running from Tuesday, February 24 to Friday, February 27, 2026, at its main campus in Kampala. A total of 9,295 students are being conferred with degrees and diplomas across various disciplines.
Graduation by the Numbers
According to the university’s official statement released on February 23, male graduands outnumber their female counterparts.
Of the 9,295 graduands:
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213 PhDs (87 female, 126 male)
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2,503 Master’s degrees (1,087 female, 1,416 male)
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206 Postgraduate Diplomas (80 female, 126 male)
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6,343 Undergraduate Degrees (2,999 female, 3,344 male)
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30 Undergraduate Diplomas (9 female, 21 male)
In total, 5,033 males and 4,262 females are graduating.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe described this year’s cohort as historic, noting that the university is presenting the highest number of PhD candidates in a single sitting since its establishment. The ceremony is presided over by the Chancellor, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, and graced by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Ms. Janet Kataha Museveni, represented at the opening by State Minister for Primary Education Joyce Moruku Kaducu.
Why the Numbers Are Lower This Year
Despite the significant turnout, this year’s total is lower than last year’s 13,658 graduates. University Academic Registrar Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi attributed the reduced numbers to the COVID-19 pandemic, explaining that only 5,000 students were admitted in 2022 compared to the usual 14,000 annually.
“We admitted only diploma holders, degree holders seeking additional qualifications, and mature-age entrants,” he explained.
Four-Day Graduation Schedule
The ceremony is structured across four days, with colleges graduating on different dates:
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February 24: Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), Education and External Studies (CEES), and School of Law (SoL).
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February 25: College of Health Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, and School of Public Health.
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February 26: College of Business and Management Sciences and Makerere University Business School (MUBS).
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February 27: College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology; College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Institute of Gender and Development Studies; and Makerere Institute for Social Research.
The university is also graduating students from 67 nationalities, reaffirming its status as a globally engaged institution of higher learning.
Best Performing Students
This year’s academic excellence awards highlight remarkable achievement:
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Ms. Sarah Aloyo and Ms. Nakato Dorothy, both Bachelor of Procurement and Supply Chain Management students, emerged as Best Humanities Students and Best Overall Students with an outstanding CGPA of 4.93.
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Mr. Ssewalu Abdul, Bachelor of Leisure and Hospitality Management, was second best in Humanities with a CGPA of 4.90.
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Ms. Esther Ziribaggwa, Bachelor of Agricultural and Rural Innovation, was named Best Student in the Sciences with a CGPA of 4.77.
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Mr. Simon Mungudit, Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geoscience and Production, emerged second best in Sciences with a CGPA of 4.76.
The university will also confer Honorary Doctorates upon Ms. Reeta Roy and Mr. Japheth Katto in recognition of their distinguished service and contribution to society.
Call to Innovation and Responsibility
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Nicholas Ozor, Executive Director of the African Technology Policy Studies Network, challenged graduates to become solution-driven leaders.
“Justice systems are tested daily. Food insecurity persists. Misinformation spreads faster than truth. Your degrees do not make you better than others; they make you responsible for others,” Ozor told the gathering.
He urged graduates to actively contribute to Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, emphasizing innovation, service, and excellence in every field.
