Mr. Andrew Abunyang officially received the instruments of power as Director, Human Resources Directorate (HRD), Makerere University at a brief handover ceremony held on 17th April 2018 in the Main Building. Mr. Abunyang has previously served as Commissioner Human Resource Management (Compensation) at the Ministry of Public Service and as Commissioner Human Resource Management at the Ministry of Health.

Presiding over the brief ceremony, the Acting Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. William Bazeyo congratulated Mr. Abunyang upon being successfully appointed and welcomed him to Makerere University. Prof. Bazeyo noted that Mr. Abunyang’s joining Makerere service coincided with the advent of new leadership and expressed confidence that he would enjoy a lot of goodwill from fellow members of University Management.

“I have heard about your previous experience in dealing with employees of different categories and request you continue to demonstrate good leadership skills” shared Prof. Bazeyo before adding “I encourage you to study the Human Resource Manual and other related policies so as to equip yourself with knowledge on how best to handle various matters and requests that you will soon be met with.”

Prof. Bazeyo further applauded the former Director Mrs. Mary Tizikara and outgoing Acting Director Mrs. Dorothy Sennoga Zake for a job well done in serving the Directorate. He further recommended that Mr. Abunyang reads Mickey W. Mantle and Ron Lichty’s book “Managing the Unmanageable” so as to acquire great tips on rules, tools and insights for managing diverse communities such as Makerere.

In her brief handover remarks, outgoing Director Mrs. Dorothy Zake welcomed the substantive Director to his new office and pledged her readiness as well as that of other HRD staff to work with him. She also thanked the University Management for all the support rendered to her during her tenure as Acting Director.

Mr. Abunyang in his acceptance remarks thanked the University Council, Appointments Board, and University Management for entrusting him with the position of Director HRD. “Makerere still remains THE University among publicly-owned universities and it is my pleasure to serve this great institution” he added.

The new Director further acknowledged that challenges do exist in all institutions but expressed his readiness to make his contribution to the betterment of the University. He additionally thanked Mrs. Zake for ensuring that his transition into Makerere service had been smooth, “I look forward to meeting the rest of the staff in the Directorate” added Mr. Abunyang.

The handover process was then guided by the Director Internal Audit, Mr. Walter Yorac Nono, according to the Public Service Standing Orders of the Government of Uganda. “This handover is not just an event but a continuous process to ensure that the Director seamlessly transitions into his new role” he added.

Article by Public Relations Office