Mubiru Enock Joel, a student from the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), is set to be one of the thousands of graduates at Makerere University’s 75th graduation ceremony, which commenced today. He will graduate on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, as the top-performing student in the sciences.
A total of 13,658 students, including 143 PhD candidates, will graduate during the five-day ceremony held at the university's Freedom Square.
Born in 2001 to Nsubuga Francis and Ms. Nambejja Lydia of Luwafu, Makindye Division, Kampala, Mubiru began his educational journey at Canan Primary School in Makindye. He later attended Kabale Ssanje Secondary School in Kyotera District, where he completed his O' and A' Level education. At A' Level, Mubiru excelled in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, achieving an impressive 17 points. This outstanding performance earned him a government scholarship to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Physics at Makerere University.
Despite coming from a humble background, Mubiru’s determination to succeed remained steadfast. His academic excellence secured several bursaries, easing the financial burden on his parents. In fact, his parents stopped paying his school fees during his lower primary years, as his stellar performance ensured he received the necessary support.
Mubiru will graduate with a remarkable CGPA of 4.91 in his Bachelor of Science (Mathematics and Physics) degree, making him the top-performing student in the sciences at Makerere University this year. His hard work and dedication have propelled him to the forefront of his cohort.
He credits much of his success to the mentorship and guidance he received from his lecturers, particularly Dr. Saul Nsubuga, a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics at CoNAS. Dr. Nsubuga played a pivotal role in both Mubiru’s academic and personal development, offering valuable mentorship and treating him like a son.
Dr. Nsubuga also connected Mubiru with various opportunities, including his current role as an Operations Analyst at Xeno Investment, where he has worked since completing his studies in June 2024. In addition, Mubiru tutors mathematics students from countries such as Uganda, the USA, Italy, and Northern Cyprus.
Mubiru is deeply grateful for the unwavering support of his parents throughout his academic journey. He also appreciates the management of CoNAS and Makerere University for fostering an environment that enabled his academic success.
Looking ahead, Mubiru plans to pursue a Master’s degree and a PhD in Mathematics. In the long term, he aspires to teach mathematics at various educational levels and hopes to establish one of Uganda’s leading data analytics firms, given the evolving demand in the data science industry.
Mubiru believes that success in any field requires focus and commitment. Throughout his undergraduate studies, he strived to be the best, and his efforts have been recognized. His tips for success include actively engaging in academic discussions, consulting regularly with teachers, and dedicating sufficient time to revision. He encourages fellow students at Makerere University to stay focused from their first year and actively participate in academic discussions to excel.
Given the large number of students at the university, Mubiru calls on the University Management to invest in enhancing learning infrastructure to better support the academic success of all students.
Makerere University Graduation Ceremony: Meet Mubiru Enock Joel, the Best Student in the College of Natural Sciences
