General
DVC Okello Ogwang to advocate for Library Funding
The Fresh-in-office Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Academic Affairs (DVC AA), Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang (Pictured Right) has started his duties with a promise to advocate for more funding for the University Library. Dr. Okello Ogwang was appointed DVC AA effective 1st Dec.2013 for a five year term. He was speaking at the Library End of year party on Friday 13th Dec. 2013 at the Forest Park Resort – Buloba.
His remarks followed a speech by the University Librarian, Prof. Maria Musoke, who pointed out that the Library was constrained in its plans partly due to limited resources.
“Makerere University Library has automated most of its functions amidst challenges of limited bandwidth and unstable internet and challenges of a sustainability budget for equipment that will go obsolete after a few years,” she explained.
Prof. Musoke (Right) also pointed out that the Library grapples with an inadequate budget to power the generator when needed. She however expressed confidence that the Library will be in position to handle these constraints when the Development fees are released to it.
“In 2011/12, we had planned that after the extension to the Main library, the next extension will be the Medical Library which we had put in our financial year’s budget. However, the Library Development fees, which are expected to build the library, are not yet released. We request the Guest of Honour to assist us on this matter,” she said.
Guidelines set by the National Council for Higher Education recommend that 10% of the University’s budget should be spent on the Library. In his response, Dr. Okello Ogwang vowed to make this issue one of his priority areas since Libraries are a key factor to ensuring quality teaching, learning and research. “Today’s libraries are not only repositories and access points for electronic, print, audio and visual materials; they are the foundations of the evolution of the world,” he said.
“I pledge my support to the Library concerning the budgets for weekend duty, evening transport, maintenance of equipment and facilities, generator fuel and renovation of the old library building,” he added.
He also promised to look into the Council Resolution (2007) in relation to the Library Development fees. The DVC AA congratulated all Library Staff for the hard work exhibited, especially in demystifying the belief that Information Systems have not worked in Makerere.
As part of the celebrations, the different sections of the Library were rewarded for their outstanding performance, which saw the Africana Section (Pictured Above) take lead with 70.85% overall performance, followed by the Digitalization Unit at 70.3%. Amongst Colleges, the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS)–Pictured Left, took lead as the College whose performance was based on the submitted activity plan. Mr. Brian Wamala (Pictured Below) took home the Library's Dedicated Staff Award 2013.
The University Library Staff celebrated a number of achievements for the year including a working information system, a functional new Library extension building and the Makerere University Institutional Repository that has contributed the highest number of richfiles. These files have enabled Makerere University’s webometric ranking to progressively improve to the 4th position in Africa as of Aug 2013.
The Library Staff were grateful to all internal and external stakeholders who have contributed to betterment of the Library including Makerere University Staff, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Sida SAREC project, the University of Bergen and the Mortenson Center – U.S.A.
Article by Marion Alina, Public Relations Office
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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