By Joseph Kiggundu
The Makerere University has officially commenced its 76th graduation ceremony, which is taking place from Tuesday, 24th February to Friday, 27th February 2026 at the university’s Freedom Square in Kampala.
This year’s ceremony will see thousands of students awarded qualifications across various academic levels and disciplines. A total of 213 candidates will receive Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, including 87 women and 126 men. Additionally, 2,503 students will graduate with Master’s degrees (1,087 female and 1,416 male), while 206 candidates will be awarded postgraduate diplomas.
At the undergraduate level, 6,343 students will receive bachelor’s degrees, comprising 2,999 female and 3,344 male graduates. Another 30 students will be awarded undergraduate diplomas.
Top Performing Students
Among the outstanding academic performers, Sarah Aloyo and Nakato Dorothy, both pursuing a Bachelor of Procurement and Supply Chain Management, emerged as the best overall students in the Humanities with an exceptional CGPA of 4.93.
Ssewalu Abdul, a Bachelor of Leisure and Hospitality Management student, ranked second in the Humanities with a CGPA of 4.90.
In the Sciences category, Esther Ziribaggwa was recognized as the best-performing student after attaining a CGPA of 4.77 in the Bachelor of Agricultural and Rural Innovation. Simon Mungudit, who studied Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geoscience and Production, followed closely with a CGPA of 4.76.
Distinguished Commencement Speakers
The four-day ceremony will feature prominent speakers drawn from academia, finance, and international development institutions. These include Prof. Nicholas Ozor, Executive Director of the African Technology Policy Studies Network (Kenya); Prof. Dr. Maggie Kigozi, Chairperson of the Makerere University Endowment Fund Board; Dr. Patricia Adongo Ojangole, Managing Director of Uganda Development Bank; and Ms. Reeta Roy, former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Mastercard Foundation.
Graduation Schedule by Colleges
The ceremony is being conducted in phases to accommodate different academic units:
Tuesday, 24 February: College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; College of Computing and Information Sciences; College of Education and External Studies; School of Law.
Wednesday, 25 February: College of Health Sciences; College of Natural Sciences; College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security; School of Public Health.
Thursday, 26 February: Makerere University Business School and the College of Business and Management Sciences.
Friday, 27 February: College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology; College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Institute of Gender and Development Studies; Makerere Institute of Social Research.
The graduation ceremony highlights Makerere University’s continued role in producing skilled professionals and researchers to support national and regional development.