General
Alternative Lecture Space and Academic Affairs
The two Deputy Vice Chancellors in charge of Academic Affairs and Finance and Administration, Assoc. Prof. Ernest Okello Ogwang and Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe respectively, toured the proposed lecture rooms in the halls of residence on 30th Jan 2015. The tour was aimed at assessing the readiness of the Halls of Mitchell, Livingstone, Lumumba and the Bamboo house (located at the Guest house gardens) to host lectures this semester.
These rooms which initially served as dining halls have since been converted into lecture spaces, especially following the cessation of the use of the Main Hall as teaching space. The conversions have involved fitting the halls with classroom furniture and sprucing up the floor. The sitting capacity of the halls ranges from 300-500.
“Efforts have been made to change these halls from dining halls to lecture rooms. Improvements will continue to be made and by the end of the year we will have a better picture. We are in this together and I urge the entire university community to support the ongoing developments,” said Dr. Okello Ogwang, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs.
A report from the Estates and Works Department indicates that these halls are in need of renovation both on the outside and inside. Installation of public address systems, improvement of lighting and constant maintenance among other works are some of the activities still lined up in order to fully convert the former dining halls into fully-fledged lecture spaces. The Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has since directed the Estates and Works Department to make emergency procurements.
“The Office of the DVC (F&A) has commenced procurement of 500 additional chairs with writing pads and public address systems for all the new lecture halls. The new chairs will replace broken ones and also supplement those already transferred. Efforts are being made to finalise this procurement as soon as possible,” explained Prof. Nawangwe.
“Given that the Main hall is a meeting point for many other functions, we need to find new space. We continue to look forward to the African Development Bank (ADB) project which will open up even more space. When you have your own space, it makes it easier to plan as opposed to hiring. We need to put our heads together, so that we utilise the available space harmoniously,” added Dr. Okello Ogwang.
The ADB funding will be used to support the construction of two centralized lecture facilities; one at the UCB slab (College of Business And Management Sciences- CoBAMS) and the other at the foundation next to the College of Humanities and social Sciences- CHUSS. This funding will also be used to put up a multi-disciplinary complex at the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS). Each of these structures is hoped to have a 10,000 sitting capacity, with lecture theatres that can accommodate up to 1,000 students at a go.
Dr. Ogwang also expressed his gratitude to all Members of Staff who contributed to the recently successfully concluded 65th graduation ceremony. He however urged them to not to relax. “I sincerely appreciate all members of Staff for the hard work put into the successful completion of the 65th graduation ceremony. This is one of the key ways we account to the government, development partners, the general public and other stakeholders. The second semester is here and I urge all of us to keep up the hard work and focus on excellent results in each of our dockets. I also ask continuing students to guard against malpractices in any way or form,” he concluded.
Article by Marion Alina
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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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