The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Several graduands who were not invited to physically attend the 71st Makerere University graduation ceremony say they have missed out on graduating from the freedom square.
Previously, each graduand would be accompanied by two people, preferably parents or guardians to the graduation ceremony that is usually held in the university Freedom Square.
However, due to COVID-19 pandemic induced restrictions, attendance was limited to doctoral and Masters degree graduands plus a few undergraduates who excelled in their respective course obtaining a first-class degree.
Allan Wanzusi, a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science graduand, says for his entire life at Makerere he could not wait to attend this ceremony at the freedom square, and not even the COVID-19 restriction could stop him.
Wanzusi says being at freedom square on the day of graduation, comes with pride and joy which he couldn’t miss.
Unlike the first day when the freedom square was left empty when the university chancellor adjourned the ceremony, on Tuesday several uninvited students went to the grounds in groups of ten to take photographs.
Maria Nakalema notes she tried to attend the ceremony virtually from home but she felt out of place and she decided to at least pass by the university and congregate with her colleagues.
“My colleagues who didn’t get first-class told me that they were meeting at the freedom square. I felt it would be fun. Being home alone on such a day was boring,” says Nakalema.
Just like Nakalema several graduands first attended the virtual graduation in small groups in areas near the university while others teamed up from the university to have a get-together ‘class reunion’.
However, some graduands dresssed in gowns found it difficult to convince the security officers to allow them inside the university premises.
Some security officers were seen asking graduands to present their invitation cards and those who failed to present them were ordered to leave the campus.
Mary Goretti Nakibuule, Bachelors of Arts in Education, criticized the security personnel noting that it was unfair for them to be denied a chance to physically attend the graduation ceremony and also chasing them out of the university.
Khalisa Sadam, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, says he is happy about completing his education. However, he is disappointed that he could not celebrate the day in freedom square with his parents.
Dominic Were, a photographer, says the virtual graduation has played out in his favour.
He explains that they are charging 30,000 shillings for twenty photos which are sent to the client immediately.
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