Friday, 17th January 2020 marked the final day of the 70th graduation ceremony of Makerere University with over 2,000 students graduating from the College of Humanities and Social 
Sciences (CHUSS), out of the 13, 510 graduands from the 10 constituent Colleges. Of the 13,509, 62 graduated with PhDs, 1,173 Masters Degrees, 119 Postgraduate Diplomas, 33 undergraduate diplomas and 12,156 Bachelor’s Degrees. A total of 422 students graduated with First Class Honours.
At the ceremony, the Principal of CHUSS, Dr Josephine Ahikire presented six students and members of staff 
for the award of the Doctorate of Philosophy. These included Mading Samuel Jock Bany, Mugambe Mpiima David, Najjemba Harriet, Netsanet Gebremichael Woldesenbet, Odongoh Stevens Aguto, and Opesen Chris Colombus.
Mading Samuel Jock Bany investigated the role of religion in conflict and peace in Sudan; Mugambe Mpiima David studied gender relations in the access to and use of mobile phones and radios in agricultural production in Apac District, northern Uganda; Najjemba Harriet carried out research on indigenous agricultural knowledge and food production in Uganda; Netsanet Gebremichael Woldesenbet studied topographies of reminiscences; Odongoh Stevens Aguto examined the Acholi homestead after the LRA war and displacement in northern Uganda; whereas Opesen Chris Colombus analyzed the trans-border cultural and reproductive health traditions, specifically focusing on the Pokot female genital modifications at the Kenya-Uganda-Border.
Presiding over the ceremony, the Chancellor, Prof. Ezra Suruma congratulated all graduands and extended gratitude to the University Management and staff for the excellent job done in training the students. He also appreciated the parents and guardians for the sacrifices made over the years.
Female Scholarship Foundation and MasterCard Foundation Awards
In a special way, the Chancellor presented Awards of Excellence to four graduands under the Female Scholarship Foundation and MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme for attaining First Class degrees. Ms. Kikobye Winnie with a CGPA of 4.48 out of 5.00 in the Bachelor of Social Work and Social Administration received the Makerere University Female 
Scholarship Foundation Class of 2020 Award; Ms. Ageno Faith with a CGPA of 4.84 out of 5.00 in the Bachelor of Community Psychology received the Makerere University MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program Award; Mr. Kutensa Frank with a CGPA of 4.75 out of 5.00 in the Bachelor of Community Psychology received the Makerere University MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program Award; and Mr. Bandoho Geoffrey with a CGPA of 4.48 out of 5.00 in the Bachelor of Industrial and Organisational Psychology received the Makerere University MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program Award.
In his farewell remarks, the Chancellor cautioned graduands to exercise humility and integrity as they confront the challenges lying ahead of them. “The challenges you will face will require character, courage and sacrifice. Character and courage are costly. If you want a clean and fair society please begin at home. Education without compassion and integrity is not enough. Education without morality cannot bring happiness and prosperity to Uganda. Without integrity our future will certainly get worse. And when our enemies realize our internal weaknesses, that we are corrupting and rotting from inside, it will not take them long to destroy us. Each one of us is a pillar in the building called Uganda,” he advised.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe extended gratitude to members of staff for their selfless contribution towards the success of the graduands. “Through classwork and other avenues, they have shared with you knowledge and tips on how to succeed in the professional world. They have also introduced you to their networks and some of you have made the most of these opportunities. I implore you to always treasure their contribution to your success and always introduce them to your new networks so that together, we broaden the impact and reach of your alma mater,” he said.
He also appreciated the stakeholders of the University, particularly the Government of Uganda and development partners for the support rendered towards various projects in the University. “In particular, I thank the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni for the unwavering support to Makerere University to consolidate her position as a modern twenty first century university. During the Financial Year 2019/2020, Makerere 
University received special funding worth UGX 30 billion from the Government of Uganda to support high impact Research and Innovations. This support will greatly boost our strategic outlook for next ten years as we seek to: position Makerere as a research intensive University; enhance engagement with players in industry and business; implement a problem/community based learning approach; and sustain an inclusive and gender mainstreamed University. I also believe that as a result of enhanced research and innovation, the University will have increased capacity to spin-off companies and create the jobs which our Country so badly needs,” he explained.
Prof. Nawangwe informed the congregation that effective next academic year 2020/2021, Makerere University Management, Senate and Council will double the number of scholarships under the Female Scholarship Scheme from 20 to 40 and cover both tuition and functional fees for successful applicants. “This scheme targets academically bright but economically disadvantaged female students mainly from Northern Uganda.”
See pictorial below