By: Ismael Kasooha

MPIGI

The Prime Minister of Uganda Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah has asked University Graduates to mind about their integrity and also have positive work ethics if they are to fit in the current job market.

“You need to be grounded and with positive work ethics if we are be the workforce that is admired. Uganda Martyrs’ University has set a track record that you need to follow so that you don’t disappoint us the Alumnae,” said Nabbanja.

Nabbanja challenged the graduates from the university that they have a task ahead of them not to disappoint the Alumnae because they have already set a record which must be kept.

The Prime Minister was on Friday presiding over the 27th Uganda Martyrs’ University (UMU) graduation held at the main campus in Nkozi.

A total of 1,543 graduated with PHDs, Masters Degrees, Bachelors, Diplomas and Certificates.

Nabbanja said that the NRM government recognizes the role played by private institutions of learning in skilling of Ugandans to have a quality Human Resource base.

“The NRM government appreciates the role played by private institutions like Uganda Martyrs’ University. Tertiary education was liberalized so that many more Ugandans can attain skills from universities because all of them couldn’t be absorbed into the few existing Public Universities,” said Nabbanja.

The University Chancellor Rt. Rev. Dr. Anthony Zziwa said that students need to be open to the new methods of work by being agile, flexible and creative.

“Agility, flexibility and creativity are highly valued and demand competences in the work place today. Our graduates need to be open to new and many methodologies of work and produce positive results in the rapidly changing circumstances today,” said Zziwa.

The University Vice Chancellor Prof. Patrick Edrin Kyamanywa asked the graduates if they are to remember one thing from the University it must be integrity which is a rare attribute which is on the verge of extinction from society.

“I want to reassure you all that the graduands have a firm foundation to continue developing their 4 Cs which is Character, Competency, Confidence and Creativity. You need to remember that integrity is an attribute which is becoming more scarce and on the verge of extinction,” said Kyamanywa.

The President of Uganda Martyrs University Alumnae Association Ambrose Kibuuka Musoke, presented an award to Robinah Nabbanja for her excellence in community mobilization for development.

Kibuuka said that Nabbanja obtained two degrees from UMU in 2011 as an Undergraduate and a Master’s Degree in development studies in 2013.  “Nabbanja’s trajectory of service to this country has been characterized by pragmatic, charismatic leadership in regard to community mobilization for development,” said Musoke.

Kibuuka said that basing on her rare traits, she was spotted by the President and appointed her as the first ever female Prime Minister of Uganda since independence.

Nabbanja has also been admitted to the order of Diamond Ambassador of UMU having been awarded the honour of outstanding Alumnae of the University.
One of the three people who graduated with a PHD in community health Dr. Richard Kabanda, who works with the Ministry of Health, said that those doing research need to focus on issues affecting the community instead of mere fulfillment of the requirements for the award.

“I think there is a need for many researchers to focus on communities basing on the fact that most challenges we have as a country are community based so we need to focus on what communities suffer from,” said Kabanda.

Unfortunately, one PHD graduate, Dr. Charles Mushabe received the award posthumously and was represented by the family members who shed tears as his name was read out.

The graduation ceremony was held under the theme “Agility, Flexibility and creativity towards transformational change”.

End