Businessman Bitature applauded at the Ibanda University 8th graduation of over 3143.
Drake Nyamugabwa
On Friday 6th December 2024, Ibanda University conducted its 8th graduation since its inception in 2014, the ceremony was graced by different dignitaries including Businessman Dr. Patrick Bitature who is also a Director at the University, Gen. Kale Kayihura, Gender Permanent Secretary Agrey Kibenge, Pro. Baryamureeba Venansious among others.
According to Ibanda University, The Board of Directors owns Ibanda University, which is made up of six directors including Patrick Bitature. The Board of Directors is responsible for among others: Advising, guiding, and overseeing the university's mission, vision, and objects and offering moral and spiritual guidance to the University Council and Senate.
Other bodies that govern the university include the University Council, University Senate, and Vice Chancellor among others.
Ibanda University a co-educational institution that was established in 2014 by private Ugandan individuals, is also accredited by the Uganda National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and is recognized as an International University by the Ministry of Education, Science Technology and Sports
During the graduation ceremony, The Key Note Speaker Gen: Kale Kayihura applauded Patrick Bitature for contributing to the innovation initiatives at the university hence boosting the education sector.
Of the 3161 who graduated and were awarded with certificates, diplomas, bachelor and master degrees in different disciplines, 1892 are female while 1269 are male.
Speaking at the university, The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social development, Aggrey David Kibenge called upon graduates to have value proposition and brand such that they can win in the job market as products of Ibanda University.
“We have people dressed smartly, seated in offices, but ask them to communicate through letter writing, and you’ll be surprised. This stems from a tendency where students pay others to write proposals, research papers, and application letters for them. This habit must stop,” Kibenge urged.
Kibenge highlighted a worrying trend among graduates who struggle to compose professional documents like official letters.
"I have seen many incidents where employees cannot draft a proper official letter with the correct grammar and all the necessary components," he noted.
Presiding over as the graduation main celebrant, the University chancellor Prof. Venasius Balyamureeba called upon them to go to the community and identify challenges and opportunities and transform communities.
Patrick Bitature (R) with Gen. Kale Kayihura at the graduation.
While giving a keynote speech Gen. Kale Kayihura commended the founders of Ibanda University for the project and addressing challenges of the community.
The former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Rtd. Gen. Kale Kayihura, expressed gratitude for being invited to address graduates for the first time since his retirement.
"I’m humbled to make my first appearance as a guest speaker at none other than Ibanda University," Kayihura remarked.
Kayihura encouraged graduates to leverage the prevailing peace in Uganda to transform their lives and communities.
“By 1985, Uganda was a failed state. Today, the country is stable, providing you with an opportunity to innovate and succeed. This university, being rural-based, offers a chance to explore agribusiness and agro-industries. Let’s use the banana value chain to create wealth,” he urged.
The graduates
