491 students to graduate with First-Class degrees at Makerere University

A total of 491 students from Makerere University will graduate with First-Class degrees, during the institution’s week-long graduation ceremony, which begins today.

The First-Class graduates achieved a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of above 4.40, as per the university rules.

Only bachelor’s students are classified in first, second class honour and pass degrees, while PhD and Masters’ students are not classified.

In an interview with Daily Monitor on Friday last week, the deputy vice chancellor for academic affairs, Prof Mukadasi Buyinza, said 13,658 students (7,297 females and 6,361 males) have been cleared for graduation.

Of these, 11,463 are Bachelor’s students, 1,813 are Master’s students, and 140 are PhD candidates. Additionally, 243 students will receive postgraduate diplomas, while only eight will graduate with undergraduate diplomas.

“The university has a talent identification scheme to retain and train the brightest students who excel in their programmes. While constrained by the wage bill, we maintain their details in our database for future reference,” Prof Buyinza, who also serves as the academic registrar, explained.

Among those graduating with First-Class degrees is Mr Abdul Latif Umar Bagoole from Makerere University Business School (Mubs), who topped the list with a CGPA of 4.97 in Bachelor of Leisure and Hospitality Management.

Other top performers include Sadera Nzanika, who earned a Bachelor of Human Resource Management with a CGPA of 4.92, and Mr Junior Ronald Nguma, who achieved a CGPA of 4.91 in Bachelor of Business Administration.

Mr Enock Joel Mubiru emerged as the top performer in science programmes, graduating with a Bachelor of Science.

ABDUL LATIF UMAR BAGOOLE
The 23-year-old, emerged as the best student in Humanities with a CGPA of 4.97 in Bachelor in Leisure and Hospitality Management.

Being raised by a single mother motivated him to persevere. His first job was at a fish factory during school holidays and the harsh conditions of working in a freezing environment gave him a deeper appreciation for education.

He also held leadership roles, serving as a course leader in his first two years and later as a guild representative councillor in his third year. 

KENETH KIGOZI
He attained a 4.55 CGPA in Bachelor of Industrial and Fine Art. He attributes his success to the sleepless nights during studio work production. He used group discussions that aided the sharing of knowledge, exposure and encouragement from colleagues. He also believed in God who made it possible amid life challenges.

JONATHAN EMMANUEL MUJJUZI

He attained a 4.55 CGPA in Bachelor of Industrial and Fine Art. He attributes his success to the sleepless nights during studio work production. He used group discussions that aided the sharing of knowledge, exposure and encouragement from colleagues.

He also believed in God who made it possible amid life challenges. First-Class degree. Whenever situations deteriorated, he went on bended knees to ask for God’s providence and by His grace, he completed his studies.

MARVIN SEGUJJA
He will be graduating with a CGPA of 4.58 in Science with Education (Biology and Chemistry).

He attributes his success to trusting in God, consistent dedication towards academic work and the desire to change where he comes from.

ROSELOCK NAMIRIMO
She is graduating with a 4.66 CGPA in Bachelor of Arts in Industrial and Fine Art under the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology. Her success was made possible by trusting in God, and having a supportive family, friends and lecturers who believed in her. Resilience and making sacrifices kept her on the success trail.

In addition, external encouragement kept her struggling hard to be successful in all her campus journey.

WINFRED T. NAKAWUNGU
She will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Aquaculture, with a CGPA of 4.59. Nakawungu is grateful to the Almighty Lord for good health and strength, which enabled her to persevere throughout her academic journey. She thanks her parents for their provision, her colleagues for their support, and her lecturers for their valuable guidance

DENIS ETAYU
He attained a 4.56 CGPA in Bachelors of Business Administration. He was able to perform well by putting God first. He says when he joined Makerere University as a fresh man, he went for a prayer camp and believes that’s where his journey to success started. Etayu had set his goals where every semester he made sure that his performance suited the targeted grade points. He says his friends were key in his success.

OLIVER NORAH NAKAKEETO
She will graduate with a CGPA of 4.67 in Community Education. She attributes her success to persistence and the encouragement from her lecturers.

From the first semester, when she attained a first-class grade, her lecturers motivated her by telling her she could maintain it until the end.

She often studied late into the night and even left her hostel to read in the campus reading rooms.

Above all, she credits God’s faithfulness for her success. She also appreciated the role of her parents and friends in this journey.

MUSA SSEKIDDE
He attained a CGPA of 4.64 in Bachelor in Industrial and Fine Art-BIFA. Ssekide has achieved this through relentless dedication and passion. He consistently delivered high-quality work through teamwork and pushing boundaries of creativity and innovation.

Effective time management, active participation in all activities and willingness to learn from feedback enabled him to refine his skills and produce outstanding work.

This coupled with the desire to be unique, persevere and exemplary in every project he delivered was a clear testament to his success in his academic journey.

SARAH NDAGIRE
She is graduating with a CGPA of 4.68 in Bachelor of Science in Commerce (BCOM). Ndagire believes that her sleepless nights and discussions have paid off.

When she joined the College of Business and Management Sciences (COBAMS) , she set a goal of graduating with a first-class degree and was determined to make it happen no matter the challenges that lay ahead.

Throughout her academic journey, Ndagire made sure she accomplished all tasks without procrastination. Her discussion group members became family away from home, and together,
they pushed each other to excel.

REBECCA NABAGEREKA
She attained 4.68 CGPA in Bachelor of Commerce. Having obtained a good grade in Senior Six, Nabagereka was offered a government scholarship to pursue a course at Makerere University.

So, knowing that her family had no burden of paying tuition, she strived to keep the past legacy of being an ac academic giant.

Her success was driven by her vision of working in big audit firms and tax-related fields. She embraced prayers, teamwork and was determined. These stood as the main pillars towards her success. The university provided a conducive atmosphere to concentratrate. 

ENOCK MUBIRU

He will graduate with an outstanding CGPA of 4.91 in his Bachelor of Science (Mathematics and Physics) degree, making him the top-performing student in the Sciences at Makerere University this year.

He credits much of his success to the mentorship and guidance of his lecturers, particularly Dr Saul Nsubuga from the Department of Mathematics at CoNAS. Dr Nsubuga played a crucial role in Mubiru’s academic and personal growth, offering invaluable mentorship and treating him like a son.

He also connected Mubiru to various opportunities, including his current position as an operations
analyst at Xeno Investment, where he has been working since completing his studies in June 2024.

ROSELOCK NAMIRIMO
She is graduating with a 4.66 CGPA in Bachelor of Arts in Industrial and Fine Art under the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology.

Her success was made possible by trusting in God, and having a supportive family, friends and lecturers who believed in her. Resilience and making sacrifices kept her on the success
trail.

In addition, external encouragement kept her struggling hard to be successful in all her campus journey. 

MOLLY DORAH KAGIMU 

She is graduating with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.55 in Bachelor of Science in Forestry under the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).

Nakagimu’s commitment and belief in God earned her a first-class degree. She says she recited the rosary and served in different positions at St Augustine’s Chapel at Makerere University.

After classes, she used to praise God by singing in the St Kizito choir, Makerere.

The forester comes from a strong Catholic family and her parents’ prayers shoot her performance high, in addition to the relentless efforts from lecturers and fellow students who gave her unwavering support
throughout her four-year academic journey.