Makerere University has for the second time postponed its 71st graduation ceremony to May 17 to pave way for the presidential swearing-in ceremony.
The Graduation at Uganda’s leading University was slated to take place from May 10 to 14 because some marks for students were not ready has now been pushed to May 17th ,2021.
“We had set May 10 to 14 but that date falls on the week when the President will be swearing in, so the council has advised that we do it a week after, which will be May 17,” Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor told the media.
At least some 12,000 students are expected to graduate .Prof. Nawangwe said the university contract committee has started the process of contracting a new gowns supplier ahead of the graduation ceremony.
“The procurement of the new supplier of gowns is going on and I believe the gowns will be ready before May and students will be able to buy them from approved suppliers. The process of procurement will be completed very soon by the contract committee so there is nothing to worry about,” Prof Nawangwe said.
Prior to the last year’s graduation ceremony, Makerere failed to secure gowns for graduands, seven days to the ceremony.
It accused the supplier, who was said to be withholding the gowns until his balance is cleared, of messing up the event.
The institution in December 2015 contracted a company to supply branded graduation gowns for three years.
It has been charging students Shs98,000 for the wear.
