General
Mak Inaugurates 2017/18 Guild Electoral Commission
In preparation for the forthcoming Guild Elections 2017/18 and bid to hold free and fair elections at Makerere University, a new Students' Guild Electoral Commission was inaugurated. This was during the swearing in ceremony held on March 6, 2017 in the Conference Room, Senate Building.
Witnessed by the Makerere University Dean of Students, administrators, religious leaders and students’ representatives; five commissioners were sworn-in. These included; Mr. Isaac Otuku-Chairperson, Ms. Barbra Nakaggwa-Vice Chairperson, Mr. Joseph Kafuuma-Secretary, Mr. Daniel Amanya-Finance and Mr. Abasi Kizito-Public Relations.
While presiding over the ceremony, the Dean of Students-Mr. Cyriaco Kabagambe congratulated the candidates and assured them of support. He urged them to be faithful, transparent and anticipate challenges and solve them promptly during their term of service.
“Once the swearing in is done, we are expecting you to officially take office. As the Electoral Commission, the main target is to produce fair elections accepted by all stakeholders and students. After elections, all parties should be happy and contented. Your administrators are always ready to work with you and they will support you when you need them, so work with them and your fellow students” the Dean said.
Mr. Kabagambe thus informed the commissioners that much as they had been put in office, they were to remain university students. He advised them to always treat everybody equally without any bias. He told them that they had come to attain leadership skills but not employment and money. They were also reminded to work within the budget which is about UGX 68Million and to always account for the funds provided to them.
The Guild Speaker Rt. Hon. Kasujja Imran advised the candidates to always consult and also make good use of the Guild Constitution during their tenure.
“Always consult your seniors for advice and remain people of integrity while performing your duties. The Guild Constitution is very visionary, let it be your point of reference because everything was captured in it.”
Speaking at the event, Rev. Can. Amos Turyahabwe-Chaplain St. Francis Chapel, Makerere University congratulated the commissioners and reminded them that they had come forward to serve. He advised them to always do their work with energy, knowledge and integrity in a timely manner. He also urged them not to neglect their studies.
“This aspect of service is a call from God. You have come to serve this community and this is a great responsibility. As you carry out your leadership duties, you should behave as students and not abandon your studies. Always have good faith, seek for counsel and learn to do God’s will with integrity,” said Rev. Can. Turyahabwe.
Similarly, Fr. Joseph Ddungu-Chaplain St. Augustine Chapel and Imam Sam Ahmed Ssentongo-Makerere University mosque advised the commissioners to be good leaders who always seek to be knowledgeable, diligent, respectful and dynamic. They urged the commissioners to work as a team and use their term of office to attain leadership skills and not work for their own selfish interests.
The Ceremony was attended by Guild Electoral Commission officials, Makerere University Administrators, Religious leaders and students’ representatives.
Article by 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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