Makerere Recognises Excellent Researchers and Educators

Makerere University celebrated exceptional contributions from researchers and educators in the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) during the 75^th graduation ceremony on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

The Senior Researcher Award was conferred upon: Assoc. Prof. Juma Kasozi (Department of Mathematics), Assoc. Prof. Charles Masembe (Department of Zoology, Entomology, and Fisheries Sciences) and Dr Jamilu Ssenku (Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology, and Biotechnology).

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Dr. Mukiibi Ssewannyaga Ivan received the Early Career Researchers Award. 75th Graduation Ceremony, Day 2, CoBAMS, CHS and CoNAS. 14th January 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — **Dr. Mukiibi Ssewannyaga Ivan received the Early Career Researchers Award.**

The Mid-Career Researcher Award recognised: Dr Julius Mulindwa (Department of Biochemistry), Dr Patience Tugume (Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology, and Biotechnology) and Dr Patrick Ssebugere (Department of Chemistry).

For the Early Career Researcher Award, honourees included: Dr. Omara Timothy (Department of Chemistry), Dr Mukiibi Ssewannyaga Ivan (Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies) and Dr Sadik Mustafa Abubakar (Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology, and Biotechnology).

Dr Sadik Abubakar Mustafa received the Early Career Researcher and Best Teacher Awards. 75th Graduation Ceremony, Day 2, CoBAMS, CHS and CoNAS. 14th January 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — **Dr Sadik Abubakar Mustafa received the Early Career Researcher and Best Teacher Awards.**

Outstanding educators were also celebrated as the Best Teachers of the Year by the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS): Prof. Ann Akol (Department of Zoology, Entomology, and Fisheries Sciences), Dr Sadik Mustafa Abubakar (Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology, and Biotechnology) and Dr Kalega Peggy (Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies).

The recognitions highlighted Makerere’s commitment to excellence in both research and teaching.

Dr Julius Mulindwa scooped the Mid-Career Researchers Award. 75th Graduation Ceremony, Day 2, CoBAMS, CHS and CoNAS. 14th January 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — **Dr Julius Mulindwa scooped the Mid-Career Researchers Award.**

Makerere University Chancellor,Dr Chrispus Kiyonga, congratulated the graduands and thanked lecturers, administrators, parents, and guardians for their support.

He praised the University Council for fostering quality education and acknowledged President Museveni and the NRM government for their UGX 30 billion contribution through the Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF).

The Chancellor, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga delivering his remarks. 75th Graduation Ceremony, Day 2, CoBAMS, CHS and CoNAS. 14th January 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***The Chancellor, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga delivering his remarks.***

Dr. Kiyonga encouraged Makerere to expand outreach in agriculture through collaborations with farmers and urged private-sector partnerships to commercialize university innovations. He also emphasised the importance of teaching Political Economy to empower students to drive Africa’s transformation by strategically utilizing its resources.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, commended the teaching staff and parents for their dedication and welcomed Dr. Kiyonga’s leadership. He highlighted CoNAS’s foundational role in science education and its contributions to research in applied sciences, mathematics, and secondary school biology education.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended CoNAS for its ground-breaking research and contribution to the development of Mathematics in the E. A Region. 75th Graduation Ceremony, Day 1, CoCIS, CEES, CoVAB and School of Law. 13th January 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — **The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended CoNAS for its ground-breaking research and contribution to the development of Mathematics in the E. A Region.**

Prof. Nawangwe urged graduands to embrace entrepreneurship, using their knowledge to create opportunities instead of solely seeking employment.

The Minister of State for Primary Education, Hon. Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu congratulated the graduands and praised Makerere for its excellence in education and research. She thanked parents and guardians for their support and highlighted higher education’s transformative impact on Uganda’s development.

Min. Kaducu representing the Minister of Education. 75th Graduation Ceremony, Day 1, CoCIS, CEES, CoVAB and School of Law. 13th January 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — **The Minister of State for Primary Education Hon. Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu represented the Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni.**

The Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Africa (Unisa), Prof. Puleng LenkaBula, acknowledged Uganda’s role in the anti-apartheid struggle and urged graduands to use their knowledge to address Africa’s challenges, particularly in empowering women and fostering sustainable development. She called for African intellectual collaboration to create community-driven research and innovations.