The 71st graduation ceremony kicked off today May 17-21, but conducted virtually to observe the standard operating procedures meant to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The Chancellor, Prof. Ezra Suruma will confer degrees and award diplomas to 12,550 graduands; 6,433 (51%) female and 6,117 (49%) male in a week-long graduation.
Of these, 108 will be conferred upon PhDs (38 female and 70 male) while 1,160 will be conferred upon Masters degrees (434 female and 726 male) 115 female and 82 male), 11,151 (5,919 female and 5,232 male) and 16 (9 female and male) candidates will graduate with Postgraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Degrees and Undergraduate Diplomas respectively.
Previously, graduation ceremonies were held at freedom square on the campus. Scenes of students celebrating with their parents were a common sight.
In a message posted on Twitter, the Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe said the 71st graduation presents a record number of 108 PhD graduands putting Makerere on a steady path to a research university.
On each day, the Graduation Ceremony will start at 8:30a.m. and is expected to end at 12:00p.m.
The Blended Makerere Graduation Ceremony will be conducted following Government guidelines against the spread of COVID-19.
All parents, guardians, spouses, relatives and friends are advised to follow the Graduation Ceremony on NTV, UBC Radio and virtually on Makerere University social media pages.
It is only the PhD graduands, Master’s Degrees and First Class graduands who are authorized to come to Makerere University and be physically present in the Freedom Square.
The invited categories of Graduands to be physically present in the Freedom Square should wear face masks throughout the ceremony.
All other Graduands (not in the specified categories) will graduate virtually.