Hello

Your subscription is almost coming to an end. Don’t miss out on the great content on Nation.Africa

Ready to continue your informative journey with us?

Hello

Your premium access has ended, but the best of Nation.Africa is still within reach. Renew now to unlock exclusive stories and in-depth features.

Reclaim your full access. Click below to renew.

Mak to introduce mandatory political economy course

Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, the university’s 75th graduation ceremony on January 13, 2025. Photo/David Lubowa

What you need to know:

  • The move aligns with President Museveni’s earlier directive to incorporate political economy across all programmes at Uganda’s largest public university.

Makerere University is set to introduce Political Economy as a mandatory course for all students, regardless of their field of study.

This announcement was made on January 13 by Makerere University Chancellor, Dr Crispus Kiyonga, during the university’s 75th graduation ceremony, which began on that day.

Presiding over the ceremony, Dr Kiyonga emphasised the significance of the course in equipping graduates with the necessary knowledge to address Uganda’s socio-economic challenges.

He noted that integrating political economy into the curriculum would ensure all students understand the crucial relationship between politics and economics, which is vital for fostering effective national development.

The initiative aligns with President Museveni’s earlier directive to incorporate political economy across all courses at the university.

According to Dr Kiyonga, this directive will be implemented through the university’s regular approaches.

“The President directed that political economy be taught across all courses at the university. This will no doubt be implemented following regular approaches within the university,” he said.

Dr Kiyonga added: “Every student needs to understand the realities of our political and economic systems. This knowledge is fundamental to shaping graduates who can contribute meaningfully to national development.”

He highlighted that Uganda is grappling with various challenges, including unemployment, malnutrition, and underutilised resources, which must be addressed through education.

Dr Kiyonga pointed out that despite Africa's vast resources, the continent still lags behind in development.

“Africa lags behind in the world despite the existence of massive resources. It is our duty and we owe it to our continent to play our roles to better the conditions of our people,” he stated.

Dr Kiyonga addressed the contradictions in Uganda’s socio-economic landscape, including the paradox of high youth unemployment alongside underutilised arable land.

“There is indeed a contradiction that our country has young people who are unemployed and yet 50 percent of arable land is unused. Besides unemployment, we also have varying degrees of food insecurity across the county. In the Rwenzori and parts of greater Kigezi, for example, the rate of stunting is reported at about 40 percent among children below the age of 5,” he said.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, said the university has made significant progress in its quest to become a research-led institution, not only in Uganda but in the region as well.

With support from the government, Makerere University has conducted 1,337 research projects, of which 1,251 are new projects.

Doctor of Philosophy graduand Mariam Nakimuli follows proceedings at the ceremonyon January 13, 2025.

Additionally, 86 focus on critical national issues, including the government’s poverty alleviation programme, Parish Development Model, e-governance systems, and youth unemployment.

Prof Nawangwe also revealed that students in the first phase of the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme would be graduating at this year’s ceremony.

He announced that Makerere University had been approved for a second phase of the programme, which will receive a total of $45.3 million (about Shs166.4 billion) to support the training of 1,000 students from Africa, with a special focus on women, refugees, and persons with disabilities.

The Mastercard Foundation is a registered Canadian charity and one of the largest Foundations in the world.

Scholarships are awarded to academically talented young men and women from Sub-Saharan Africa facing financial constraints to pursue their academic studies.

The previous cohort saw MasterCard sponsoring 101 students, including 95 undergraduate and five Master’s scholarship opportunities to nationals, refugees, internally displaced youth, and international students who joined Makerere University in the Academic Year 2024/2025 under the Private Sponsorship Scheme.

More than 1,000 students will be sponsored in the next 10 years.

Bachelor of Library and Information Science graduates celebrate during Makerere University’s 75th graduation ceremony at Freedom Square in Kampala on January 13, 2025. PHOTOS/DAVID LUBOWA

At the graduation ceremony on January 13, Dr Kiyonga advised graduates to consider starting their own businesses if they face difficulties in finding employment.

He encouraged them to use the knowledge gained at the university to innovate, create enterprises, and contribute to national development.

Dr Kiyonga also stressed the importance of self-discipline, adaptability, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

In a speech delivered by the State Minister for Primary Education, Dr Joyce Kaducu, the First Lady and Education minister, Ms Janet Museveni, advised graduates not to despise any legal form of employment.

“I have no doubt that you will face the future with courage, creativity, and conviction. There are plenty of opportunities out there, take advantage of the many opportunities to create jobs. Do not despise jobs, start humble and the Lord will lift you later to a high level,” Ms Museveni stated.

This year's ceremony

On January 13, a total of 2,394 students graduated from the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-Security (CoVAB), and the School of Law (SoL).

Today, January 14, students from the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Health Sciences (CHS), and Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) will also graduate.

In total, 13,658 students (7,297 females and 6,361 males) are expected to graduate during this year’s graduation ceremony.