Gulu University Holds Press Conference Ahead of Its 22nd Graduation Ceremony

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Gulu University has held a press conference with journalists at its Main Campus at the University Boardroom in Laroo-Pece Division in Gulu City to provide an update on preparations for its 22nd graduation ceremony, scheduled for Friday, November 13, 2026, at the University Playground.

During the press briefing, Prof. Okello David Owiny Davy who represented the Vice-Chancellor in the Press Conference assured the public that preparations for the ceremony were progressing smoothly. He noted that service providers had already begun setting up the graduation venue, adding that the university, students and invited guests were all ready for the big day.

According to a report from Dr. Jerry Bagaya, the Academic Registrar, a total of 1,755 students are expected to graduate this year, marking the highest number of graduates in the university’s history. This is an increase from the 1,431 students who graduated during the 21st graduation ceremony in 2025.

Below are the statics of Gulu University 22nd Graduation.

1. Total Graduands The number of graduands increased from 1,431 at the 21st graduation to 1,755 at the 22nd graduation; representing an increase of 22.6%. The slight increase is attributed to the fact that a small proportion of graduands, whose programmes have a 4-year duration, are in the cohort of 2022/2023 whose admission was affected by COVID-19 disruptions.	2. Graduands by Sex As regards sex, 1,059 (60.3%) are males and 696 (39.6%) are females for the 22nd graduation compared to 908 (63.5%) males and 523 (36.5%) females at the 21st graduation; posting a significant increase in the proportion of female graduands.
3. Awards by Academic Level Overall, 2 Honorary Degrees, 4 PhDs, 183 Masters, 137 Postgraduates, 1,284 Undergraduates, and 145 Certificates will be awarded at the 22nd Graduation compared to 5 PhDs, 122 Masters, 173 Postgraduates, 935 Undergraduates, and 196 Certificates awarded at the 21st Graduation.	4. Award by Academic Field The proportion of Sciences to Humanities graduands is 39:61 at the 22nd Graduation compared to 44:56 at the 21st Graduation. The proportion of graduands in science disciplines compares with the national enrolment proportion of 40% reported by the National Council for Higher Education in its report on the State of Higher Education and Training in Uganda (2020).
5. Award by Sponsorship By sponsorship, the distribution of graduands is 200 (11.4%) government and 1,555 (88.6%) private for the 22nd graduation compared to 196 (13.7%) graduands who were government-sponsored while 1,235 (86.3%) were privately sponsored at the 21st graduation.	6. Differently Abled Students Nine (9) students (6 Females and 3 Males) who are differently abled will graduate at the 22nd Graduation ceremony compared to 13 (6 Females and 7 Males) at the 21st Graduation. Six graduands are visually impaired while 3 have physical impairment.
7. International Students Eight International Students will graduate at the 22nd Graduation ceremony, where 7 are males and 1 is female, compared to 11 (8 males and 3 females) at the 21st Graduation.	8. Best Undergraduate Students Compared to the 21st Graduation, which posted 54 First Class undergraduate degrees (13 females and 41 males), the 22nd Graduation has 98 First Class undergraduate degrees (44 females and 54 males).
9. Amnesty for Overstayed Students 77 students reinstated under amnesty for overstayed students (59 Males and 18 Females) will be graduating at the 22nd Graduation compared to 85 (55 Males and 30 Females) at the 21st Graduation.	10. Transcripts and Certificates For the second-year running, all graduands, who have duly cleared with the University, will be issued both transcripts and certificates on graduation day.

As Gulu University celebrates its 25 years of existence and academic excellence, the institution is proud to have registered a total of 25,804 graduates since its establishment.

The university also acknowledged the opening of its Moroto Constituent College, which is expected to admit its first cohort of students in the next academic year.

Meanwhile, the university’s Chief Security Officer, SSP Okello Dickens, assured the public that the security team was fully prepared to manage the event, taking into consideration the different categories of people expected to attend the ceremony.

Recognising recent security concerns, SSP Okello urged graduands, their families and other celebrants to remain vigilant throughout the celebrations. He cautioned against excessive celebrations that could cause people to lose awareness of their surroundings, emphasising the importance of personal safety and security.

The university has therefore called upon all graduands, parents, guardians, invited guests and other stakeholders to observe safety guidelines and ensure a peaceful and successful 22nd graduation ceremony.

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Gulu University Holds Press Conference Ahead of Its 22nd Graduation Ceremony