On completion of his five year tenure as Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu in the evening hours of Thursday, 31st August 2017 handed over office to the next Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.

Effective 1st September 2017, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe is the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University.

The Vice Chairperson of Makerere University Council, Hon. Irene Ovonji-Odida presided over the handover meeting held in the Office of the Vice Chancellor.

During the meeting, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu congratulated Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe upon being appointed the next Vice Chancellor and wished him a successful tenure.

Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu commended the University Management team, Senate and Council, Government, staff and other stakeholders for the support accorded to him in the realization of the University’s core functions of teaching and learning; research and innovations; and knowledge transfer partnerships and networking.

Cognizant that the Official handover Ceremony is scheduled to take place on 14th September 2017, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu pointed out that he would use the upcoming ceremony to share with the audience a detailed account of his experience during his five year tenure (1st September 2012 to 31st August 2017).

Drawing from his wealth of experience, Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu requested the Management Team and University Council to re-think the idea of merging the Planning and Development Department with the Finance Department.  “We need to re-think the Planning and Development Unit as an Independent Unit. It may not be a Directorate, but it should remain as independent Unit.” He also re-echoed the need to strengthen the human resource function of Makerere University.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe who was delighted to take over the mantle of leadership of this great institution thanked Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu for his enormous contribution towards the cause of building for the future. “Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu led the University during time of significant challenges, but despite those challenges, during his tenure the University continued to improve her research profile and productivity.”

Prof. Nawangwe noted that some of the infrastructural developments initiated during Prof. Ddumba’ tenure such as the AfDB-funded Central Teaching Facilities will improve the teaching and learning core function of the University. He thanked the University Council for entrusting him with the role of leading Makerere for the next five years.

“It means a lot for me to lead Makerere University. We have climbed high and it will be a challenge to not only keep our position but also overtake those ahead. As Management we are taking on a heavy responsibility but with God’s guidance and grace, we will take Makerere to greater heights” said Prof. Nawangwe.

In her remarks at the brief handover ceremony, Hon. Irene Ovonji-Odida shared with Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu and Prof. Nawangwe her dream of attracting the Government to boost its support for higher education in general and public funded Universities in particular. She emphasized the need for team work, good interpersonal relations, peace-making involving mediation and conflict resolution in our line of service.

“Council appreciates the work done under Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu’s leadership in the last five years. It is good that issues were discussed and resolved despite all differences in opinion. Going forward, I hope that this will still be the case” shared the Vice Chairperson.

The following Officers attended the handover meeting: The University Secretary/Secretary to Council- Mr. Charles Barugahare, Acting Director of Human Resources-Mrs. Dorothy Sennoga Zake, Acting Director Internal Audit-Mr. Benson Barigye; and staff from Makerere University Public Relations Office.

In his remarks, Mr. Charles Barugahare who moderated the handover ceremony said, “We registered significant achievements during Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu’s tenure and we thank him for leading us well. I welcome the Incoming Vice Chancellor-Prof. Nawangwe who was also part of these achievements. The task before you is to deliver higher education to the Nation and make sure that we register even more achievements.”

The official handover ceremony of the Vice Chancellor’s Office is scheduled to take place on 14th September 2017 in the Main Hall, Makerere University.

Article: Public Relations Office