General
First Lady visits Makerere, lays foundation stone for the Reconstruction of the Main Building
Uganda’s First Lady and Education Minister, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni has this afternoon visited Makerere University where she officially opened new central teaching facilities and laid two foundation stones for the reconstruction and restoration of the iconic Main Building and another, for the School of Law.
The opened Central Teaching Facilities 1 and 2 buildings are housing lecture rooms, administrative offices, boardrooms, a 1000 seater auditorium, study rooms among others. She also opened the Dental School and Hospital, which will further facilitate dental studies at the College of Health Sciences.
The First Lady also laid foundation stones for two ongoing construction projects. The new School of Law building and the reconstruction and restoration of the Main Administration building. She said that she was last at Makerere on the night when fire gutted the Makerere main administration building and was glad that she had returned to commission its reconstruction.
“I was last here on 20th September 2020, following the fateful night in which our main Administration Building was burnt. It was a sad day not just for Makerere but for our nation and the nations at large, because Makerere has educated many people from other nations.” she said, adding, “I am so glad that, today, I return not on a sad note, but on a victorious note, to lay a foundation stone not only for the reconstruction of the Main Administration building but also for the School of Law.”
The Chairperson of Makerere University Council Mrs. Lorna Magara thanked the First Lady for facilitating the university, strengthening its capacity to ably perform its duties.
“The University has enjoyed exceptional support from the Government in the form of staff salary enhancements, infrastructure development, as well as funding for research and innovations since 2016, when you took over the stewardship of the Education Ministry” Mrs. Magara said. “Thank you, Honourable Minister, for your tireless efforts in mobilising Government funding to the tune of UGX 21 Billion for this iconic landmark’s restoration.” she added.
Speaking at the function, the Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe thanked the First Lady and government for making these projects successful.
“Today you have laid foundation stones at the School of Law and at the Main Building reconstruction site, and also officially commissioned the new building for the School of Dentistry and the Central Teaching Facilities 1 and 2. You have had direct input in raising the resources for all these projects, costing more than UGX 60 billion and we thank you very much.” Prof. Nawangwe said.
The chairperson of the Makerere @100 organizing committee, Hon. Dan Kidega thanked the First Lady for extending the request for funding of the yearlong Makerere centenary celebrations which will climax with the final event on the 08th October, 2022, on the eve of the 60th independence day celebration.
“On behalf of the organizing committee which is tasked to coordinate all the activities associated with the centenary celebrations, I take the special pleasure to thank you for facilitating the request to His Excellency for funding for the activities.” Hon. Kidega said. “We extend our thanks to His Excellency the President for the offer to contribute 800 million shillings towards the budget activities for the Centenary celebrations.” he added.
Hon Kidega also lauded the First Lady for her stewardship in negotiating $300m for the construction of the university teaching hospital. The teaching hospital is part of the legacy projects earmarked as part of the activities to commemorate Makerere’s 100 years of existence.
The Minister of Education, Hon. Janet K. Museveni concluded by extending her appreciation to the Makerere Administration and University Council for the work welldone in ensuring the smooth running of the University projects.
“I applaud the Council, led by Mrs. Lorna Magara and the management team led by Prof. Nawangwe together with the entire team for the work you do. We have seen some of it this afternoon. Thank you for being good stewards of what has been entrusted to you. Thank you for providing leadership to this great institution.” She said.
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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