Makerere 71st Graduation Ceremony: The sigh that comes with graduands walking into the famous Makerere Freedom Square with the parents/guardians to hear their names read off the graduation list might not be happening this year.
Following the latest communication from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) regarding the Ministry of Education’s decision to extend the lockdown on Higher Education for three more months, Makerere University, according to sources at Senate, will have no option but to hold their 71st graduation ceremony virtually.
Universities like Cavendish, UCU and KIU were the first to conduct scientific graduation ceremonies where graduands, wearing their gowns, attend the ceremony through Zoom.
According to NCHE Executive Director, Prof Mary Okwakol’sstatement, universities will still be closed by March, the same month Makerere University plans to hold their 71st graduation ceremony.
The university’s academic registrar Mr. Alfred Masikye Namoah recently communicated that they will hold their 71st graduation ceremony from Tuesday 16th March 2021 to Friday 19th March 2021.
“There will be no Freedom Square (usual Makerere graduation grounds) this year as graduands are expected to attend the ceremony via zoom and other streaming platforms. The ceremony will be entirely virtual in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19,” a source at Makerere University told Campus Bee.
President Museveni ordered for the closure of all universities in March 2020 as a measure of slowing the spread of COVID-19. Universities have been advised to teach virtually until the government finds a long lasting solution.
