Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (C) being led by Dr. Joyce Kaducu, State Minister for Primary Education during Gulu University 19th graduation ceremony. Photos by Brian Komakech
By Brian Komakech and Sintes Raymond Obwona
Gulu: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has cautioned Gulu University graduates against engaging in corruption to gain fast wealth.
In a speech read by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, President Museveni told the graduates to instead use their skills acquired to be exemplary and cause transformation.
The statement was delivered on Friday at Gulu University playgrounds in Gulu City during the 19th Gulu University graduation ceremony where Nabanja represented the President as Chief Guest.
“Be active participants in the fight against corruption by being exemplary in your work, you must avoid the temptation of getting rich very quickly through corruption means. You are encouraged to utilize the available opportunities and use your skills acquired to cause transformation,” said President Museveni.
The head of state also encouraged the graduates to engage in productive work especially now that they have graduated since they are young and energetic.
He noted that those going out to the job market must continuously enhance their skills according to their knowledge and passion in consideration of the available resources Uganda is blessed with.
“Seek knowledge from those already actively in production. There is no end to learning. You should continuously reinvent yourself to remain relevant by focusing on the needs of our people,” said President Museveni.
Teach beyond technical efficiency
According to President Museveni, the government is making efforts to invest in the promotion of science and technology and increasing the remuneration of science teachers to curb brain drain.
He expressed optimism that the graduates groomed from Gulu University will spearhead government efforts toward promoting science and technology using the knowledge they have gained.
“I urge institutions of higher learning to focus on transforming the minds of leaders and managers to go beyond technical efficiency, but also encapsulate skills like innovation, and value addition alongside higher order values such as patriotism, honesty, personal integrity, and good citizenship,” he said.
Exactly 1,338 students graduated from the University and were awarded degrees, diplomas, and certificates in various academic disciplines.
76 students however missed the graduation over failure to clear tuition, complete retakes, and research reports according to University officials.
Three postgraduate students also received degrees of Doctor of Philosophy from the University in Agricultural and Applied Biosciences, Humanities, and Education during the graduation ceremony.
They are Sr. Rosalba Aciro, who successfully defended her thesis, “Entry Grades and Academic Performance of Undergraduate Students in Public Universities in Uganda”, and Charles Nelson Okumu, whose research focused on the intertextuality between Acoli oral songs and Okot p’Bitek, “A comparative study of Song of Lawino and Wer pa Lawino,”
Meanwhile, Godfrey Moses Okot successfully defended his thesis on the differences in trust perceptions and the mediating role of transaction cost attributes in improving supply chain performances in smallholder Agri-food supply chains in Northern Uganda.
Make wise decisions that are Godly
Mrs. Mary Thereza Obbo, Chairperson of Gulu University Council in her remarks advised the graduates to develop certain qualities of life, character, and mindset to help them achieve their desires in life.
“With focus and determination, you can make bigger strives to achieve more in the world of academia and the world of work and service,” said Mrs. Obbo.
She however cautioned the graduates against engaging in what she described as the ungodly changing standards of the world but rather choose a righteous path.
“Do not conform to the ungodly standards of the changing world, but choose the righteous path, you stand a better opportunity to change this world by creating a better future for yourself, your family, your community, and the country,” she said.
Gulu University Chancellor Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda appealed to the graduates to stay away from lifestyles that may cut short their contribution to the community.
“We would like you to demonstrate the uniqueness and nurturing you received from the University through their character, conduct, and performance in the workplaces and within the community. The certificates you are carrying should reflect in which you work and the way you conduct yourselves,” said Dr. Rugunda.
Dr. Rugunda also commended the University for partnering with Lacor and Gulu Main hospitals to train medicine and surgery students, something he said has impacted on research knowledge.
Plan to build a teaching hospital
Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, the State Minister for Primary education, while representing the Minister of Education and Sports, told the gathering that as a master plan to improve teaching in science especially in Medicine, the Ministry is already finishing the draft plan of building a Specialized Teaching Hospital at the University campus.
Dr. Kaducu explained that after consulting the government, it was confirmed that the government of Germany through the Ministry of Health (MoH), will give a loan of 1% interest to build the facility.
She further expressed that the hospital shall serve people from the greater northern Uganda including Acholi Lango and Karamoja and the surrounding countries including South Sudan and DR. Congo.
In her personal message to the graduates, Dr. Kaducu advised them to take entrepreneurial ventures and remain confident in all aspects of life.
This year’s graduation saw a higher percentage of male graduates than the females unlike in 2023. Statistics from the University show that out of the 1,338 graduates, 58.1 percent were male graduates while 41.9 percent were female. The statistics also show an increment in the number of graduates from the previous 1,270 students comprising 522 females and 748 males.
Since its inception in 2022, the University has graduated 20,867 students according to Dr. Jerry Bagaya, the University’s Academic Registrar.
