KAMPALA, Feb 24, 2026 — Makerere University has begun its 76th Graduation Ceremony at Freedom Square, with 9,295 graduands set to receive degrees and diplomas over four days.
The University will confer 213 PhDs, 2,503 Master’s degrees, 206 Postgraduate Diplomas, 6,343 Bachelor’s degrees, and 30 Diplomas, with graduates drawn from 67 nationalities.
Chancellor Crispus Kiyonga urged graduates to think beyond formal employment. “It is true that the job market is not enough to absorb all of you. However, the knowledge you have acquired at the University is quite empowering and should enable you to think creatively… create work for yourself… and use the knowledge and skills for the benefit of your family and society.”
He also encouraged intellectual growth beyond academics, calling on students to widen their analytical capacity and understanding of their communities.
Vice Chancellor Barnabas Nawangwe said Makerere must produce job creators rather than job seekers. “We should be not just churning out graduates who go out looking for jobs, but actually producing graduates who are job creators.”
Representing Education Minister Janet Museveni, State Minister Joyce Moriku Kaducu emphasised innovation-driven education.“Universities must not only produce graduates. They must produce solution providers and innovators.”
The ceremony, running until February 27, highlights Makerere’s continued contribution to research, leadership, and socio-economic transformation in Uganda and beyond.
