On Friday 8th February 2019, the Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Ezra Suruma presented appreciation awards to the Outgoing Chairperson and Members of Makerere University Council (Dec 2014 to Dec 2018) in recognition of their dedicated service to this great institution.

The Council is the supreme governing body of the University, and as such, the Chairperson and Members of the University Council have a noble duty of providing oversight and guidance aimed at scaling the University to greater heights.

Addressing the audience comprising the Outgoing and Incoming Council, University Management, Principals, Student Leaders and Representatives of staff associations at Speke Resort Munyonyo, the Chancellor applauded the outgoing Makerere University Council led by Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem for the excellent contribution that vehemently led to more developments in the university and the country at large.

“The complexity of managing an academic institution of this magnitude is a major responsibility to everyone. I am therefore happy that during your leadership, there was dignity and honor at Makerere University.  Without proper management, it is impossible to have such excellent progress, I have seen in the past four years,” he said.

At the same occasion, the new Chairperson of Mak Council for the next four years (Dec 2018 to Dec 2022), Mrs. Lorna Magara received Instruments of Power from the Outgoing Chairperson, Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem.

The Chancellor welcomed the new Makerere University Council chaired by Mrs Lorna Magara and her team. He appealed to members to perform their trust as citizens of Uganda by contributing positively towards the future of Ugandans. He urged the team to ensure that the institution continues to provide quality education to the children of Uganda.

Prof. Suruma called upon stakeholders to take up their responsibilities and work towards the betterment of the institution when he said, “Stakeholders should know that if the University goes down, they will also go down. We have trust that you have the ability and capacity to define that stake for yourself, family, community, institution and country. I pray that you have the ability to define the stake you have in Makerere University; not only in terms of yourselves but in terms of the whole country we have to build. The tests that Makerere has to pass is the same test that face the rest of the country.”  

He appealed to Management, staff and students to exercise some modesty while dealing with complex issues of the university. According to the Chancellor, Makerere University is the leading institution of higher learning; therefore, it should provide a leading example on how to override the complex environment and still unite and advance the cause of Uganda.

The Chairperson of the University Council Mrs. Lorna Magara appreciated the outgoing Chairperson Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem and his team for the numerous accomplishments achieved in the last four years.  

“It is an honour for me to walk and learn from your very wide and rich experience in leadership. Whatever we will achieve in our term, will be as a result of those that have gone before us. As it is said; if we enjoy a shade today, it is because someone planted a tree and another one watered it. It is therefore our great honor to be able to stand in your shade. We pledge and promise that we will not only continue to water this tree you planted but also plant many other trees for prosperity,” she said.

She was happy to lead a dynamic and committed Mak Council with several members that have served on the outgoing Council. She hopes that these will bring the much needed experience and necessary wisdom when making critical decisions. To her, new members will also bring on board the very much needed varied experience and expertise.

“We have taken up the leadership at a challenging time evidenced by the events of the past few weeks. While it may appear as a crisis, I truly believe there are countless opportunities for us. President J.F Kennedy once remarked that once written in Chinese the word crisis is composed of two characters one represents danger and the other represents opportunity. We also have a proverb saying that every cloud has a silver lining, therefore I believe that even in these times there is a silver lining,” she stated.

Mrs. Magara is confident that in the next four years, her leadership will usher in a new Makerere University with immense opportunities. The University will not only be known for its academic excellence, but also innovations that provide the long awaited solutions to the mileage of problems of the nation and the continent at large.

The Outgoing Chairperson of Council Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem thanked Makerere University management, staff and students and the entire community for the support he received during his tenure. He also thanked the members of Mak Council for dedicating their time and efforts for the betterment of the University.

In a special way, Eng. Dr. Wana-Etyem thanked the President of the Republic of Uganda H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the Minister of Education and Sports Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni for the financial and moral support that enabled the Mak Council and the University as a whole to thrive during the past 8 years.

To the incoming Chairperson, Dr. Wana-Etyem, advised her to be a listening person when he said, “If you are on that seat and you want to respond to everything you hear, you will have a problem. You need to be patient and a good listener. Allow everybody talk and try to generate consensus.”

The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe emphasized the need to uphold good governance at Makerere University. He appreciated the outgoing Chairperson of Council Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem and his team for exhibiting the unique character of good governance through his tenure. On behalf of Management, Prof. Nawangwe pledged to work with the Mak Council as it steers the University to greater heights.

Article by: Mak Public Relations Office