Professor Timothy Wangusa shows off his Makerere Hoodie, one the items in the assortment of souvenirs presented to him during the celebrations on 8th July 2022, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University.
It was a literati affair on Friday 8th July 2022 at Makerere University as the men and women from different spheres of life gathered to celebrate the homecoming of the eminent octogenarian poet, novelist and teacher, Professor Timothy Wangusa. The Department of Literature in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) organized the event as part of the University’s rallying activities for its centenary celebrations on course this year.
In his remarks, the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Umar Kakumba was pleased to recognize and celebrate Professor Timothy Wangusa as “one of Makerere’s treasured literary sons” whose academic journey was “remarkable and arresting”. He described the event as an acknowledgment of the university’s “rich heritage and the people who have worked resolutely to build its indomitable strength in its century of existence.”
Left to Right: Professor Timothy Wangusa, Professor Umar Kakumba and Professor Josephine Ahikire view proceedings during the celebration.
The Head of the Department of Literature was in a buoyant frame of mind and demonstrated his pride in the event by adorning a t-shirt with Wangusa’s portrait. He also declared that he was a conflicted man who did not know whether to celebrate Wangusa as a fellow Mumasaaba that had faced the knife at the foothills of Mt. Masaaba or the literary giant that made the name of the Department sound beyond Makerere’s gates.
Further setting the mood of the afternoon, the Dean of the School of Languages, Literature and Communication, Dr. Sauda Namyalo amused the audience by presenting a toy giraffe to “Baby Tim” through the “youngest” member of the Literature Department Professor Abasi Kiyimba. In a jovial mood, the Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Professor Josephine Ahikire remarked that “Many times, we never get the chance to celebrate the life and work of our icons while they are still with us in flesh and blood. It is therefore a great honour and privilege to celebrate Professor Wangusa today, with the icon himself in our midst.”
Dr. Edgar Nabutanyi (R) and Dr. Susan Kiguli (2nd R) present a gift to Professor Timothy Wangusa as the DVCAA, Professor Umar Kakumba applauds.
At eighty years of age, Professor Timothy Wangusa cuts the figure of a distinguished and accomplished person. Born in Bugisu, Wangusa was educated at Nabumali High School and King’s College Budo before joining Makerere University for his Bachelors’ degree. He then moved to the University of Leeds for his Masters in Literature before returning to Makerere University as a member of staff in 1969. A man of many firsts, as the Vice Chancellor described him, he pursued his doctoral studies in literature graduating in 1975 as the first Ph.D in the Department of Literature, and one of the University’s very first two since becoming independent in 1970. He was appointed Professor in 1981, just twelve years after joining the University’s faculty. At the time, the University boasted of not more than five African Professors. Having served the University in various capacities as a Teaching Assistant, Head of Department and Dean, he retired from Makerere in 2001. He has since served as the Vice Chancellor of Kumi University and played an instrumental role in the establishment of the Department of Languages and Literature at Uganda Christian University. He also previously served briefly as Minister of Education in 1985-1986 and later as a member of the Constituent Assembly in 1994-1995.
Panelists Right to Left: Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang, Professor Arthur Gakwandi, Ms Elizabeth Kharono, Mr. Deusdedit Kansiime and Mr. James Amatre.
A panel comprising speakers with an excellent understanding of Professor Timothy Wangusa, his works and literature enabled the young and old in the room and online, to gain a deeper understanding of Professor Timothy Wangusa, his life as an academic, scholar, writer, social person and as a human being. The panel moderated by Dr. Susan Kiguli comprised: Professor Arthur Gakwandi, Dr. Okello Ogwang, Ms Elizabeth Kharono, Mr. James Amatre and Mr. Deusdedit Kansiime.
While Professor Abasi Kiyimba who chaired the keynote address, acknowledged that Professor Wangusa is a big name because of his writing, he argued that this was not the real reason for the enthusiasm the Department, the College and the University injected in organizing an event of the kind. Alluding to critical comments on D. H Lawrence as a “fine man of letters but a terrible human being to deal with”, the real reason for the enthusiasm, the Professor Kiyimba pointed out, was the person himself. His comments echoed those of the Chairperson of the organizing committee, Danson Kahyana, who described Professor Timothy Wangusa as “a wonderful teacher, a selfless mentor, a supportive colleague, a loving comrade and a caring friend”.
Professor Abasi Kiyimba (L) present a gift to Professor Timothy Wangusa as the DVCAA, Professor Umar Kakumba witnesses.
In his keynote address, the equally renowned Mwalimu Austin Bukenya, who had specifically returned from an event in Zanzibar for the event, described Timothy Wangusa as a man of the word and the world, who “has always been ready and willing to engage the wide world society of politics, public administration and many other activities.” In pointing out that the excellent communication skills that are the hall mark of all Professor Wangusa’s operations as a man of the world were acquired through linguistic and literary education, the eloquent scholar was adamant in his belief that there is no discipline that is useless. Whereas the scientific disciplines are important in skilling people in technical operations, the humanities, he pointed out, make people agents of humaneness. Indeed, his description of the humanities as human sciences speaks to the balance he envisages between scientific and artistic disciplines.
Referring to a Kenyan dramatist who likened prioritizing the one over the other to trying to walk along with one foot, he warned that the disparagement and degradation of the humanities would result in “a country of dumb, uncultured, rude and crude philistine robots, with neither desire nor ability to communicate with fellow human beings.” He challenged his audience to use the tools Professor Wangusa had armed them with to “fight for the value and validity of the humanities which sensitise, train and guide all our people in the true values of ubuntu, utu, obuntubulamu, that enable civilized human society”. This, Mwalimu Bukenya reasoned, was the best present his audience could give to a man who according to him had “pulled down the Holy Trinity from the exalted heights of heaven to the soil of our fields, with a word”.
Mwalimu Austin Bukenya delivers his keynote address.
Described by one of his students, poet and teacher, Dr. Susan Kiguli, as a living example of irony being “so slight of build yet he effortlessly carries around a mountain of achievements”, Professor Timothy Wangusa was as witty as ever in thanking his audience for bestowing such honor upon him. As if picking up the thread of his colleague, Mwalimu Austin Bukenya, he located himself in arithmetic terms “equidistantly” between his alma mater, Makerere University, which celebrates a century this year and his country, Uganda, which marks 60 years of independence this year. He informed his audience that both his teaching and writing careers point to and emphasise the “mutual importance of the spoken word and the written word especially in their being used creatively”. Both careers, he said, were informed by his discovery of the significance of the economy of words.
The event featured performances of the Professor Wangusa’s poems by the Third Year Poetry Class 2021/2022. It was also marked by Professor Wangusa’s family led by Ann Ayeta Wangusa spearheading the launch of Mwambu Cradle Publishers and four new publications from the Professor which included: I Love You, You Beast, Pathfinder’s Footprints, Niyaanga Nelaliila and Lost in Wonder. Professor Timothy Wangusa’s published literary works include Salutations, A Pattern of Dust, Anthem for Africa, Africa’s New Brood, Bilomelele Bye Lukingi Masaaba (Poems of Mount Elgon), The State is my Shepherd and other selected Poems, Upon this Mountain, and Betwixt Mountain and Wilderness.
Students from the Department of Literature perform the Imbalu dance.
The Professor was presented with among other gifts-Mak@100 souvenirs, nine (9) books published by Makerere University Press, and poems from FEMRITE and the third year Poetry Class 2021/2022 represented by Pharis Kateregga.
This year (2022), Professor Timothy Wangusa born on 20th May 1942, celebrates 80 years. To celebrate his 80th birthday with the Makerere University family, Professor Wangusa received a cake baked by Mrs. Sheila Gowa who is 93 years old. Professor Wangusa cut the cake amidst applause from the audience and befitting birthday melodies.
Professor Timothy Wangusa (5th R) is joined by family and CHUSS Leadership; Principal-Prof. Josephine Ahikire (2nd R), Deputy Principal-Dr. Eric Awich Ochen (R) and Head Literature-Dr. Edgar Nabutanyi (3rd R) to cut cake.
The Deputy Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. Eric Awich Ochen closed the event and lauded Wangusa for holding the torch up high for the young scholars from the College to emulate.
The event, sponsored by Fountain Publishers, Uganda Communication Commission, Femrite, Soft Power News, , Next Media, and The Edge Uganda, comes at a time when the country is polarized by the debate over the fate of letters.
Professor Timothy Wangusa’s family led by his daughter Ayeta Anne Wangusa (at podium) deliver their remarks at the celebration.
The results for the 2025/2026 special entry examination for the Diploma in Performing Arts held on Saturday 17th May, 2025. Candidates who scored a final mark of 50% and above passed the Examination and have been recommended to the university’s Admissions Committee for consideration.
Makerere University, June 20, 2025 — The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) is holding its 2025 Graduate Symposium from June 19 – 21, 2025, bringing together scholars, mentors, and graduate students in a spirited exchange of ideas, research, and academic collaboration.
The symposium, hosted at Makerere University, has provided a dynamic platform for PhD students to present their ongoing research, while also strengthening ties with sister universities and celebrating the achievements of the CHUSS Graduate School in nurturing the next generation of scholars.
Dr. Edgar Fred Nabutanyi delivers the keynoted address.
In his keynote address, Dr. Edgar Fred Nabutanyi welcomed participants and acknowledged the contributions of speakers from the previous day’s sessions, including Prof. Eric Awich Ochen (Deputy Principal, CHUSS), Dr. Peter Wekesa, and Dr. Zaid Sekito, among others. He emphasized that the symposium was not just a showcase of academic work, but a strategic platform to build partnerships and attract research funding.
“Generations must prepare for the next generation,” Dr. Nabutanyi noted, reflecting on life after PhD and the evolving role of Makerere University as a research-intensive institution. He praised department heads for their role in ensuring timely completion of graduate programmes and reiterated the college’s commitment to research excellence.
Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi delivers the Vice Chancellor’s remarks.
The event was officially opened by Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. In his remarks, Prof. Buyinza highlighted the importance of research that is impactful and relevant to society.
“Research is unimportant unless it is relevant,” he stated. “If one conducts research that doesn’t benefit society, it becomes a waste of resources.” He urged graduate students to approach their academic work with purpose, noting that Makerere is not a “PhD factory” but a hub for innovation, with over 300 active PhD students registered.
Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala addresses the symposium.
Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, Principal of CHUSS, underscored the College’s intentional approach to graduate success. “You are in the mind of an excellent mind,” she said, encouraging students to continue striving for excellence and leadership in their respective fields. The 2025 CHUSS Graduate Symposium served as both a celebration of academic progress and a call to action for scholars to engage in meaningful research that addresses the needs of communities and contributes to national and global development.