In the absence of the Chancellor, Makerere University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe has presided over the 74th Graduation ceremony, which commenced on Monday morning at Freedom Square. The Chancellor, as the titular head of the University, typically presides over ceremonial assemblies and confers degrees.
However, by the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001, as amended, the Vice-Chancellor assumes this responsibility when the Chancellor is unavailable. The last graduation ceremony, held in February 2023, was presided over by Professor Ezra Suruma, the then Chancellor, whose term expired in December 2023.
Subsequently, Makerere University initiated the search for a new Chancellor. A call for nominations was opened in December 2023, with the university still awaiting the outcome of this ongoing process. Addressing the attendees, Vice Chancellor Nawangwe acknowledged the continued efforts in the search for a new Chancellor and commended Professor Suruma for his leadership during his ten-year tenure at the institution.
The week-long graduation ceremony, spanning from January 29th to February 2nd, 2024, will witness the conferring of various degrees. A total of 12,913 graduates will receive degrees, including 11,016 bachelor’s degrees, 1,585 master’s degrees, 156 postgraduate diplomas, 24 undergraduate diplomas, and 132 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees.
Story by URN