Makerere University celebrated exceptional contributions from researchers and educators in the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) during the 75th 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).
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).
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Credit: Makerere University
