President opens St. Lawrence University, urges graduates on ethics, science skills

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President Yoweri Mueveni has today officially opened St. Lawrence University and highly commended the proprietor Professor Lawrence Mukiibi for his contribution to the education sector in the country especially for producing job creators rather than job seekers.

“I congratulate Professor Mukiibi for what he did when he returned from Kenya. He has made a very big contribution to the education sector. I want to thank him for adding value to the education system in Uganda by emphasizing entrepreneurial skills,” he said, adding that by so doing Professor Mukiibi corrected the distortion by the colonial government that University graduates had ready employment on completing their studies.

“The distortion may have come about during the colonial times, the elite were few; on completion of University they would get jobs in government or the few companies available at the time. Self employment was not very clear by then. Is he employed? No, he is doing agriculture, thinking that agriculture is not a job. I, therefore, salute Professor Mukiibi for producing job creators other than job seekers,” he said.

President Museveni was today the guest of honor at the 4th graduation ceremony of the seven year old University of St. Lawrence in Rubaga division where over 600 grandaunts received their diplomas and degrees. Students from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan Tanzania and the host country Uganda jubilated on receiving their academic papers.

While citing from the bible several quotations on those having eyes but cannot see, the President also commended Professor Mukiibi for his plan to offer science subjects beginning next academic year pointing out that with entrepreneur skills, science and ICT the sky will be the limit for St. Lawrence University. He also cited the crocodile farmer in Buwama who has a ranch for the creatures for their meat and skin and said that Ugandans used to complain because of the danger paused by crocodiles, but Zimbabwean farmers proved them wrong by taming crocodiles and earning big from them.

The President later congratulated the graduates upon their completion of their courses but strongly cautioned them to mind their health by avoiding situations that can end their lives prematurely.

“Let the products of St. Lawrence University by their deeds, show that they are from a big institution. Let your light so shine before men that they see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven. I see some pictures in the papers… now instead of studying you want to become a Salongo or a Nalongo. In Ecclesiastes it is written there is time for everything. Now you do something at a wrong time, wrong place and with a wrong partner, that is how HIV/AIDS spreads,” he warned.

Professor Lawrence Mukiibi praised President Museveni and the NRM government for ushering in peace that has enabled them promote quality education not only for Ugandans but for students from the great lakes region and beyond.

The Vice President who is also the new Chancellor of St. Lawrence University Hon. Edward Ssekandi stressed that NRM government is ready to support institutions that promote science subjects required for the fast transformation of the country.

He added that the entrepreneur centre that President Museveni had just commissioned will have Kiswahili as one of the components of each course at the University from next academic year.

Earlier on arrival President Museveni inspected stalls in which students from the University exhibited products they have added value like jam made out of fruits.