Students celebrating during the Makerere University Business School graduation ceremony at a playground on Friday
May 29, 2011
A total of 1000 students graduated at Makerere University business school (MUBS) on Friday.<br>Among the graduands were 32 inmates on capital offences from Luzira Prisons.
By Pascal Kwesiga
and Barbara Nambozo
A total of 1000 students graduated at Makerere University business school (MUBS) on Friday.
Among the graduands were 32 inmates on capital offences from Luzira Prisons.
The inmates graduated with certificates in entrepreneurship and small business management under a free programme initiated by MUBS in 2009 to provide tertiary education to prisoners.
Six inmates, out of the 40 candidates who registered for the programme, did not graduate due to retakes.
Makerere University chancellor Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, who presided over the ceremony, commended MUBS for initiating the programme.
“Whoever came up with this programme deserves a prize. I urge the Government to fund the programme and spread it to other prisons in the country,†Kagonyera said.
He said the inmates who were not present at the ceremony would be awarded their certificates at the prison next week.
MUBS Principal Wasswa Balunywa said 50 inmates had enrolled for diploma programmes for the academic year 2010-2011.
“We are equipping prisoners with leadership and entrepreneurship skills such that they can be responsible citizens when they are released,†Balunywa said.
He urged the Government to provide funds in terms of infrastructure and research.
The commissioner general of prisons, Johnson Byabashaija, in a speech read by David Nsalasatta, a commissioner of prisons, said prison authorities initiated a programme in 2005 to rehabilitate inmates through education.
“We moved from a penal-custodial to a correctional service. Education in prisons is a key aspect of this correctional agenda,†he said.
A total of 1046 students were awarded certificates, ordinary and post graduate diplomas in business and management courses.
Overall male and female best students, Boniface Obima and Euphrasy Babirye, were given a cash prize of sh500, 000 each.
Obima excelled with a grade point average of 4.82 in business computing while Babirye excelled with a grade point average of 4.72 in leisure and hospitality management.
Kagonyera said the challenge facing Uganda’s education system was the capacity of the graduates to influence policy issues in the country.
He said Uganda is facing high levels of unemployment and asked government to address the problem.
“Go and shape your destiny. Use the skills you have acquired to create jobs and don’t leave the country in the hands of whistleblowers,†Kagonyera added.
and Barbara Nambozo
A total of 1000 students graduated at Makerere University business school (MUBS) on Friday.
Among the graduands were 32 inmates on capital offences from Luzira Prisons.
The inmates graduated with certificates in entrepreneurship and small business management under a free programme initiated by MUBS in 2009 to provide tertiary education to prisoners.
Six inmates, out of the 40 candidates who registered for the programme, did not graduate due to retakes.
Makerere University chancellor Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, who presided over the ceremony, commended MUBS for initiating the programme.
“Whoever came up with this programme deserves a prize. I urge the Government to fund the programme and spread it to other prisons in the country,†Kagonyera said.
He said the inmates who were not present at the ceremony would be awarded their certificates at the prison next week.
MUBS Principal Wasswa Balunywa said 50 inmates had enrolled for diploma programmes for the academic year 2010-2011.
“We are equipping prisoners with leadership and entrepreneurship skills such that they can be responsible citizens when they are released,†Balunywa said.
He urged the Government to provide funds in terms of infrastructure and research.
The commissioner general of prisons, Johnson Byabashaija, in a speech read by David Nsalasatta, a commissioner of prisons, said prison authorities initiated a programme in 2005 to rehabilitate inmates through education.
“We moved from a penal-custodial to a correctional service. Education in prisons is a key aspect of this correctional agenda,†he said.
A total of 1046 students were awarded certificates, ordinary and post graduate diplomas in business and management courses.
Overall male and female best students, Boniface Obima and Euphrasy Babirye, were given a cash prize of sh500, 000 each.
Obima excelled with a grade point average of 4.82 in business computing while Babirye excelled with a grade point average of 4.72 in leisure and hospitality management.
Kagonyera said the challenge facing Uganda’s education system was the capacity of the graduates to influence policy issues in the country.
He said Uganda is facing high levels of unemployment and asked government to address the problem.
“Go and shape your destiny. Use the skills you have acquired to create jobs and don’t leave the country in the hands of whistleblowers,†Kagonyera added.