A total of 1422 graduates have received degrees and diplomas at Uganda Martyrs University in Mpigi district.

The eighteenth graduation saw 788 males and 634 females get degrees in various disciplines.

Health minister Christine Ondoa, who was the chief guest, urged the grandaunts not to leave the country looking for greener pastures but stay and serve their country 'as government is in the process of increasing salaries for health workers.

She encouraged the graduates to fully utilize their skills and knowledge they acquired to improve the health sector in the country.

She said the health ministry sponsors 48 students in hospital management at the university every year because currently the country lacks hospital managers.

The university's chancellor and the chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, Archbishop John Baptist Odama, appealed to the graduates to utilize the knowledge and skills they have gained to serve humanity.

Vice chancellor Charles Olweny pointed out that the university which has 20% of the students from foreign countries is committed to channel out fully baked graduands.

He said the university uses both theoretical and practical approaches in teaching.

Tabitha Naisiko was the only female graduate awarded a PhD. She got a doctorate in philosophy.