By Innocent Anguyo and Francis Kagolo

Makerere University Chancellor Prof. Mondo Kagonyera has appealed to the Government to fast-track the students’ loan scheme to enable students from poor backgrounds acquire university education.

Addressing parents and graduates at the University Thursday on the fourth day of the 63rd graduation ceremony, Prof. Kagonyera said the scheme would give such students access to loans for funding their studies.

“Government should expedite the scheme so that students who can’t afford fees can access loans and pay their University education,” Prof. Kagonyera noted.

He further urged the private sector especially large multinational companies operating in Uganda to invest in the Makerere as corporate social responsibility.

“I appeal to large companies in the private sector that have made tonnes of money using Makerere University to put some of that money in the university,” Prof. Kagonyera reiterated.

The Chancellor was conferring degrees and diplomas upon the students from the colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES); Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) and Education and External Studies (CEES). Students from the school of law also graduated.

The three colleges and school produced 2870 graduates with 450 from CAES, 557 from CEDAT, 1585 from CEES and 278 from the school of Law.

Of 2870 graduates, 45 got doctorates, 510 received Masters, 1928 attained undergraduate degrees and 387 walked home with diplomas.

Prof. Kagonyera commended this year’s best graduate in sciences and the entire University Joel Tuliwangula of Mechanical Engineering who scored cumulative grade point average of 4.89 awarding him a sh1m, a Makerere University plaque of honour and other souvenirs from the University convocation.

Among the notable graduates was Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Ssekikubo who graduated with a Bachelor in Laws.