Graduates at the 76th graduation ceremony of Makerere University have been challenged to redefine their understanding of success, power, and responsibility.
Delivering the commencement speech on the second day of the #Mak76thGrad, the Makerere University Endowment Fund Chairperson, Margaret J. Kigozi, reminded graduands that leadership is not about status but service.
“Power doesn’t make you important. It makes you responsible. Your education has trained you to ask better questions. Your humility should guide the answers,” she said.
Lessons from Experience
Drawing from her extensive career in public service and business leadership, Dr. Kigozi offered a candid reflection on balancing professional ambition and family life.
“Life is complicated, and no one excels in every area,” she noted.
She recounted a defining moment when her son, Navio, graduated. At the time, she was serving as Executive Director of the Uganda Investment Authority and managing the Presidential Investor Roundtable.
“When my son Navio graduated, I chose work and delegated family. That was once. Since then, I’ve always chosen family first,” she shared.
Her reflection underscored the reality of difficult choices in leadership and the importance of aligning one’s priorities with long-term values.
A Call for Humility and Purpose
Dr. Kigozi encouraged the graduands to use their education not as a badge of superiority but as a tool for thoughtful inquiry and responsible action.
She emphasized that while academic achievement equips graduates with knowledge and critical thinking skills, humility remains essential in applying that knowledge effectively.
As Makerere University marks its 76th graduation milestone, her message resonated clearly: true significance lies not in the power one holds, but in how responsibly it is exercised.
