General
Makerere Honors Ms Ruth Morris Keesling
Makerere University has honored Ms. Ruth Morris Keesling, an American Philanthropist in a colorful ceremony, presided over by Prof. John David Kabasa, Principal, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB). The ceremony, attended by University officials, staff, students and partners, was held at the Ruth Keesling Wildlife Health and Research Centre, CoVAB, on 5th October 2013.
Ms. Ruth Keesling, who was accompanied by her husband Tom and other family members, was honored for her commitment to funding and promoting research particularly, on Mountain Gorillas. Since 1983 when Ruth Keesling first saw the gorillas as a tourist, she has shown commitment to their conservation and even promoted research that elevated the level of gorillas in Uganda to Mountain Gorillas. Due to her strong commitment to the conservation of the Mountain Gorillas, Ruth Keesling used to travel to Uganda every year to monitor her initiatives in wildlife veterinary medicine. These initiatives led to among others, the establishment of the Department of Wildlife and Aquatic Animal Resources at CoVAB, which has been instrumental in capacity building in the field of wildlife veterinary medicine in Uganda.
Dr. John Bosco Nizeyi, a wildlife Veterinary Doctor and lecturer at CoVABB who has been working closely with Ms. Keesling for many years appreciated the work she has done not only for Makerere University but for Uganda at large. Dr. Nizeyi noted that Ruth Keesling has for the last 11 years sponsored more than 10 Ugandan students to train in wildlife health and management at Graduate level. Some of the programs that resulted from her efforts to create awareness of and save the Mountain Gorillas include the Msc in Wildlife Health & Management, Msc in Wildlife Tourism & Recreation Management and Bsc in Wildlife Health & Management.
Dr. Nizeyi further stated that what Ms. Keesling started has taken Makerere University a step towards becoming a regional center of excellence in wildlife health, research and surveillance.
Ruth Keesling also established the gorilla veterinary clinic in 1986 and has since then, spent millions of her own money and also held fundraising drives that attracted more partners, who together have put more effort in saving the gorillas from extinction. She said that her love for the Mountain Gorillas started when she met the late primatologist, Dr. Dian Fossey who was committed to the conservation of gorillas.
“After looking into the eyes of a Mountain Gorilla, I became committed to helping her (Dian Fossey) and the gorillas”, said the elderly Ruth Keesling.
She commended all those who have over the years partnered with her for their work. “Each and every partner should be very proud of the tremendous work you do that has protected the Mountain Gorilla,” Ms. Keesling stressed.
Ms. Keesling has continued to carry the late Dian Fossey’s dream to save the Mountain Gorillas to the extent of funding the establishment of the Ruth Keesling Wildlife Health and Research Centre, expected to become a regional center ofexcellence and destination for scientists and researchers in Mountain Gorilla medicine and conservation. The center will also promote wildlife education and gorilla tourism. The center, which is housed by the Wildlife Department, CoVAB, comprises offices, laboratories, a bio-bank and lecture rooms. There is also a “Keesling garden’ that was planted by students from Eckerd College, Florida and Makerere University, which provides an experience of a mock safari for those who have never experienced an actual safari in the jungle.
Under the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund (MGCF) which in 2010 signed an MoU with Makerere University, Ms. Keesling has been at the forefront of raising money to conserve the Mountain Gorilla. As a result of Mrs. Keesling’s efforts, the Mountain Gorilla population has grown from 248 at the time of Dr. Fossey’s death to 880 today, meaning that her efforts have resulted into an additional 632 gorillas having been produced in the last 28 years.
FranK Keesling, Ruth’s son promised his Mother that he would carry on her dream by working hard towards conservation of the Mountain Gorillas.
“I promise you, just like you promised Dr. Diane Fossey 28 years ago, that we will keep your dream alive,” Frank Keesling said.
Partners present at the event were British Airways, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Gorilla doctors, all of whom received awards from the Keesling family for their support towards Mountain Gorilla conservation in Uganda.
Article by Jovia Musubika Kavulu, Communication Office, CoVAB
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Makerere University Chancellor Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga as Uganda’s Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament.
The appointment was announced on May 26, 2026, as part of the cabinet reshuffle for the 2026–2031 government term. Dr. Kiyonga now assumes one of the senior leadership positions in government while continuing to serve as Chancellor of Makerere University.
Dr. Kiyonga is both Chancellor and alumnus of Makerere University. He studied at Makerere University School of Medicine from 1973 to 1978, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). He later obtained a Master of Health Science in Population Dynamics from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in 2004.
Born on September 19, 1952, in Kasese District, Dr. Kiyonga attended Bwera Primary School, Nyakasura School, and Kings College Budo before joining Makerere University.
He was appointed Chancellor of Makerere University in August 2024 and formally installed in October 2024, succeeding Professor Ezra Suruma.
Political and Public Service Career
Dr. Kiyonga entered national politics during Uganda’s 1980 elections, where he won a parliamentary seat on the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) ticket. He later joined the National Resistance Movement during the liberation struggle and subsequently served in several senior government positions after 1986.
He represented Bukonjo County West in Parliament from 1980 to 2016 and was also a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1995 Constitution.
Over the years, Dr. Kiyonga has held several ministerial portfolios, including:
- Minister for Cooperatives and Marketing
- Minister of Finance
- Minister of Internal Affairs
- Minister of Health
- Minister without Portfolio
- Minister of Defence
During his tenure as Minister of Health, he played a key role in Uganda’s response to the Ebola outbreak in Gulu in 2000.
From 2016, he served as Uganda’s Ambassador to China, where he represented Uganda during a significant period of Uganda-China relations.
Dr. Kiyonga’s appointment marks a return to frontline government leadership after several years in diplomatic service and university leadership.
Significance for Makerere
As Chancellor, Dr. Kiyonga serves as the titular head of Makerere University and presides over major ceremonial functions, including graduation ceremonies.
His appointment reflects the longstanding contribution of Makerere University alumni to public service and national leadership in Uganda and across the region.
Speaking during his installation as Chancellor in 2024, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet K. Museveni, noted that Dr. Kiyonga’s experience and networks would support the advancement of the university.
Makerere University congratulates Chancellor Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga upon his appointment and wishes him success in his new role.
The Writer is a Volunteer in the Public Relations Office, Makerere University and the Mak Sharks PRO | Est. 2014
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