PICTORIAL: UTAMU Marks 3rd Graduation Ceremony

Uganda Technology and Management University on Friday, 29^th September 2017 marked its third Graduation in a ceremony held at Silver Springs Hotel in Bugolobi, Kampala.

The Academic procession at the ceremony.

Up to 284 students graduated with Masters Degrees, Post-graduate Diplomas, Bachelor’s degrees and Undergraduate Diplomas.

UTAMU Council, Management, staff members and invited guests take a group photo with the university chancellor H.E Hon Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka.

Kenya’s former Vice President H.E Hon. Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, who is also the founding Chancellor of the university conferred upon the degrees and diplomas.

The UTAMU mace

Speaking at the ceremony, he challenged graduates to generate solutions for poverty, unemployment, hunger, poor health and education systems and be concerned about environmental problems.

The Keynote Speaker at the ceremony was the Executive Director of Uganda National Council of Higher Education, Professor John Opuda-Asibo.

A graduand registering at the ceremony.

UTAMU Vice Chancellor Prof Benon Basheka said of the 284 graduates, 178 were males and 106 were females.

Prof. Basheka said UTAMU is strengthening its post-graduate school. Of the 198 students who graduated, they were pursuing post graduates courses.

L-R: Allan Ninyesiga, Claire Babirye, Bruno Ssekiwere and Isaac Mukoyenzi. Masters graduates in the School of Computing and Engineering.

“University has been registering increase in students’ enrolment and registering improvement in ranking. UTAMU was recently ranked number 8 in Uganda,” he added.

The Chancellor with the Academic Procession as they prepared to enter the graduation hall.

The Academic Procession led by Dr. Martha Kibukamusoke (on left) and Dr. Drake Mirembe (on right).

Founded in 2012, UTAMU offers 42 academic programmes under three schools including School of Computing and Engineering, School of Business and Management and School of Professional Skills and Vocational Education.

R-L: Prof. Benon Basheka (Vice Chancellor UTAMU), Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka ( Former Vice President of Kenya), Prof. Dr. Frederick I.B. Kayanja (University Council Chairperson) and Prof. Opuda Asibo, Executive Director Uganda National Council of Higher Education). 

The school of Business and Management has 23 accredited academic programmes, including 13 undergraduate degree programmes, six postgraduate diploma programmes and four master’s programmes.

The School of Computing and Engineering has 14 accredited academic programmes, of which eight are undergraduate degree programmes, three are postgraduate diploma programmes and another three are master’s programmes.

Fr. Dr. Joseph Mary Ssebunya, the Chancellor at Kamapla Archidiocese leading the opening prayer.

The School of Professional and Vocational Education has four accredited undergraduate diploma programmes and a Foundation Certificate programme.

UTAMU also has programmes it offers jointly with other education institutions such as a PhD programme in Management and Computing jointly handled with Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). Other joint courses include ordinary diplomas, degrees and Masters programmes with Amity University, India.

Sheikh Juma Bakint, the Seceretary Education at Uganda Muslim Supreme Council leading the opening prayer.

Four students were also awarded with gifts for demonstrating excellence in their academic studies.  The best male student at Postgraduate level was Owen Andrew Kalule and Miriam Kemigisha as the best female with a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management. Both students were from the School of Business and Management (SBM).

Prof. Opuda-Asibo, the Executive Director of Uganda National Council of Higher Education speaking at the ceremony.

At Undergraduate level, Michael Muhumuza was the best male student with a Bachelor of Information Systems and Technology and Ashah Mbwali was the best female student with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, both from the School of Computing and Engineering.

H.E Hon. Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, the Chancellor of Uganda Technology and Management University.

The ceremony was graced by a number of delegates from in and outside the country including Kenya’s Minority Senator Hon. Moses Wetangula, Kenyan Ambassador to Uganda H.E. Maj. Gen (Rtd) Geoffrey Okanga and Kennedy Musyoka, MP Gerald Karuhanga, SCP Felix Ndyomugyenyi Director Human Resource Development – Uganda Police Force, Sheikh Juma Bakint, Seceretary Education at Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, Fr. Dr. Joseph Mary Ssebunya, Chancellor Kamapla Archidiocese, Dr.Mouhamod Mpezamihigo, Vice Chancellor Kampala International University among others.

Prof. Benon C. Basheka, the Vice Chancellor UTAMU giving his speech.

Prof. Basheka, during the graduation said the students who were being released into the job sector had been nurtured into scientists, technologists and innovators to transform and create new knowledge in the industry.

Some of the guests at the ceremony.

“It is also clear from the number of graduands today and areas of specialisation that in just a period of five years, UTAMU has moved from its infancy and has reached its maturity level. It is moving steadily in the right direction,” Prof. Basheka noted.

L-R: Dr. Getrude Zziwa, Dr. Doris Kakuru, Dr. Loice Natukunda and Dr. Martha Kibukamusoke. All are UTAMU lecturers in the School of Business and Management (SBM).

Dr. Johnson Mwebaze (Director of ICT and Library Services) with Dr. John Ngubiri (Dean School of Computing and Engineering).

Some of the Masters in Monitoring and Evaluation graduands at the ceremony. Swaburah Namuyiga (on right) smiles for the camera. 

School of Computing graduates celebrating with their lecturer, Madam Mary Komunte.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science graduands at the ceremony.

 

Activity inside the graduation hall.

L-R:  Dr. Mouhamod Mpezamihigo, Vice Chancellor Kampala International University, Prof. Albert Byamugisha and MP Hon. Gerald Karuhanga.

L-R: Specioza Birungi(Registrar, MUST), Prof. Vincent Batwala (Director Graduate Studies, MUST), Prof. M. Buyinza (Makerere University), Kediemetse Mokotsi (Director Marketing and Public Relations, Vaal University of Technology), Hazel Mtshontshi (Vaal University of Technology) and Mr. Robert Ochieng, the Ag Director of Higher, Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES).

L-R: Dr. John Ngubiri, Prof. Joseph Ssewayana, Kenya’s Minority Senator Hon. Moses Wetangula, Kenyan Ambassador to Uganda H.E. Maj. Gen (Rtd) Geoffrey Okanga and Kennedy Musyoka.  

Some of the invited guests at the ceremony.

Dr. Doris Kakuru with Dr. Getrude Zziwa.

Owen Andrew Kalule, the best male postgraduate student receiving an award from the Chancellor.

Miriam Kemigisha, the best female postgraduate student receiving an award from the Chancellor.

Michael Muhumuza, the best male undergraduate student receiving an award from the Chancellor.

The Prisons Band entertaining the guests.

The Prisons Band led the EAC, Uganda, Buganda and UTAMU anthems.

One of the band members.