Minister Nabakooba advises graduates to join gov’t devp’t programs, build networks as 2,415 completed studies at Kampala University.

During the Kampala University 19th graduation ceremony held at the institution’s main campus in Ggaba, over 2000 students graduated with Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees in different disciplines.

The occasion was graced by  Lands, Housing and Uban Development Minister Judith Nabakooba, as the guest of honor, representing Vice President H.E Jesca Alupo.

In her address, Hon. Nabakooba noted that the country is moving away from training job seekers to job creators through practical skills that are embedded in the new curriculum.

“It is clear that the country is now moving away from theoretical to practical questions, training skills which has been emphasized much more than before. We need to grow more skills among Ugandan learners and teachers,” she said

She added that government extends funds to boost research and innovations but it is unfortunate that private institutions are incapacitated to access and benefit from this fund.

The minister, therefore, advised them to look for alternative networks to rebuild higher education and research, “I encourage you to create both local and international networks to gain technical and practical education.”

She also advised graduands to engage in development programs initiated by the government like Parish Development Models as she said the world outside school is harsh;

“You are passing out at a time when the world is facing serious social challenges like poverty, hunger, diseases, illiteracy, unemployment, and environment degradation, among others.”

The Kampala University Chancellor Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera who conferred the graduates urged the government to put in more money to support the loan scheme project, which he said has helped many students from underprivileged backgrounds attain their education.

“The government has a program for giving loans to young men and women who could otherwise not be able to go to school. I would appeal to government to put in more money so that our children can attain higher education,” Prof. Kagonyera said.

The Executive Director Higher Education Students' Financing Board Micheal Wanyama has encouraged students to apply for Loans and Scholarships to pursue Higher Education. and those graduating to pay up their loans.

Kampala University offers over 65 certificate, diplomas, bachelors, and masters programmes with their main campus at Ggaba and four other branches in Masaka, Luwero, Jinja and Mutundwe.

According to University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Badru Dungu Kateregga, in above picture, 1419 of the graduands are male representing 59% while 996 are female representing 41% and 42 passed with first class degrees.

He said that  “The graduands are from the faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Arts and Social Sciences, Education, Industrial Art and Design, Natural Science and school of post graduate studies.”

Kateregga added that since its existence on February 16, 1999, Kampala University has been steadily progressing and that at the same function, they will celebrate 23 years of historical presence. The graduands according to Kateregga are from Uganda, Kenya Tanzania Burundi Somalia, Nigeria, South Sudan, Rwanda, Ethiopia, DR Congo and Malawi