Gulu University is set to send out a total of 1,431 students in its 21st graduation ceremony of 2025.
Speaking to the media, the Gulu University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Openjuru Laddah confirmed that 1,431 students qualified for the 2025 graduation after meeting all the necessary requirements for the event scheduled for 28th Nov 2025, with over 5,000 guests expected to attend.
Prof. Openjuru further commented on the rapid growth of the university in both academics and social development, which has attracted national and international recognition. He said Gulu University, through its commitment to providing quality education and promoting social community transformation, has won a number of awards on national and international stages, including the Ultimate University Quiz Award, among other academic accolades. He further boasted of the commitment of the University administration, which has seen the University voted as the Best University for Community Transformation in Africa, and encouraged parents to entrust their children to Gulu University as a modern institution.
He confirmed that all graduates, for the first time in the history of Gulu University, will walk away with their Degree Certificates and Transcripts on the graduation day. This, he said, has been made possible due to the commitment of university staff and advancement in technology. He added that the decision to hold the graduation earlier was influenced by the anticipated general elections and campaign season.
The Academic Registrar, Gulu University, Dr. Jerry Bagaya, said the University has grown over the years, with over 7,000 students currently pursuing different programs. He confirmed that 1,431 students are set to graduate — 908 male and 523 female.
A total of 5 students will graduate with Doctorates (PhDs), 4 from the Faculty of Agriculture and 1 from the Faculty of Peace and Strategic Studies. 13 PWD students qualified for graduation, 6 female and 7 male. 11 international students will graduate — 9 from South Sudan, 1 from Kenya, and 1 from Benin (West Africa). He said this reflects the university’s international growth and inclusivity.
54 graduates will obtain First Class Degrees ” 41 male and 13 female” compared to 57 last year.
He acknowledged the drop in the number of graduates compared to 1,753 students in 2024, attributing it to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic which affected enrollment in 2023. However, he expressed hope that numbers will increase in the next graduation.
Dr. David Obol Otori, the University Secretary and Accounting Officer, said the University is approaching 25 years of existence and is rapidly expanding. In its next five-year development plan, the institution intends to introduce five new faculties, including:
- Faculty of Engineering Technology
- School of Pharmacy
- School of Biomedical Sciences
- School of Nursing and Midwifery
- School of Computing and Informatics
These will add to the already existing faculties, improving student enrollment as well as creating job opportunities for staff.
Since its inception in 2002, Gulu University has sent out a total of about 30,000 students, and has developed a student tracer system to monitor alumni at their workplaces, from which feedback has been very positive.
