General
Makerere Main Gate Reopens to Traffic
The Makerere University main gate has today Thursday 14th December 2017 been officially reopened for use after renovations that gave the primary entry and exit point a massive facelift. The penultimate opening was presided over by the Chairperson of Council Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem and witnessed by Members of Council, University Management, Kampala Capital Authority (KCCA) representatives; the supervisors of the project, Key partners, media and well-wishers.
The Chairperson of Council said that the newly constructed, wider and redesigned entrance was relocated last year in 2016 to pave way for Chinese Communications Construction Company (CCCC) to reconstruct a new structure that depicts the stature of the university.
“We wanted to have a main entrance that portrays the value, beauty and stature of Makerere University and I believe that this main gate once finished, is going to be the Face of Makerere we want to have,” he said.
To bring out the value and beauty of the face of Makerere, the road to the main gate has also been widened to six lanes and fitted with traffic lights at the junction with Makerere hill road, to regulate traffic flow. The road also has walkways for enhanced safety of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
“We are also planning to make this gate accessible to the people with disability. The gate will enable smooth entrance and exit to the general public, however, we expect them to follow the instructions that have been put in place,” he said.
According to Eng. Kibuuka Stephen, a specialist in Engineering Project Management- Directorate of Engineering and Technical Services KCCA, the gate will be fully ready for use in one month, after the final process of the designs and finishing that fit the taste of Makerere University. “As you can see we are in the final stages, within one month this gate will be communicating what Makerere really is. We want to finish it with marble and designs that communicate its prestige,” he remarked.
The Acting Vice Chancellor Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang, encouraged students to protect and keep the prestige of the gate as it appears in the Makerere University Anthem. “We should be proud of our own institution, this is a legendary gate, many prominent people have gone through this gate, so we should keep its prestige,” said Dr. Okello Ogwang.
The Newly appointed Director of Estates and Works Eng. Christina Kakeeto thanked KCCA and the Chinese Communications Construction Company (CCCC) for the quality work. She also thanked the Makerere University community for the patience exhibited during the construction. She also thanked the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe for being at the forefront of the project since its inception.
Artilce 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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