General
MakSPH Celebrates Professor Bazeyo at 28 years of service
After an illustrious 28-year career, Makerere University School of Public Health’s Former Dean Dr. William Bazeyo officially retired from university service.
Dr. Bazeyo, a Professor of Occupational Medicine walked onto Makerere University in August 1993 after being appointed as a Lecturer of Occupational Health at the School of Public Health.
At a Dinner organised by the Makerere University School of Public Health’s Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health held on Tuesday August 9 at Skyz Hotel, Kampala, Makerere University Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe said Professor Bazeyo has selflessly served and made “incredible contributions” to the century old institution and the country.
“Professor Bazeyo is one of the very few Ugandans with whom I have had a lot of pleasure to work with. He is one of the very few people who genuinely loves their country. He is a true patriot. One of the things I found pleasure in working with Prof. Bazeyo is he is very open,” said Prof. Nawangwe.
He adds that Professor Bazeyo was a true asset attesting to his leadership abilities during the time he worked as Deputy Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration.
“In that very short time that we worked together, we gained so much as Makerere University. We did so many things that had failed Makerere University in over 30 years. One time he told me I never take a no for an answer. Every assignment he goes on, he comes with an answer,” Prof. Nawangwe.
Among some of the achievements credited to Professor Bazeyo according to the Vice Chancellor was his great negotiation skills with government and several stakeholders that saw reduction of a long-standing debt from Ugx120bn to now less than Ugx.10bn.
The vice chancellor also urged staff to emulate Professor Bazeyo by having a positive attitude.
“He [Prof. Bazeyo] has demonstrated how much he loved Makerere University. Even when he left, he still comes and offers guidance. Thank you very much for having that kind of heart. It is very important to have a positive attitude to serve humanity,” Prof. Nawangwe.
Mrs. Lorna Magara, the Makerere University Council Chairperson described Bazeyo as a “larger-than-life” figure with a kind and generous heart.
“On this day Professor Bazeyo we celebrate the man you are. We thank God for who He has made you to be. God packages us uniquely. Just hearing the impact, you have had on so many lives, we thank you!” Mrs. Lorna Magara said.
She further praised Prof. Bazeyo for being a down-to-earth person citing that that he easily identifies with ordinary people irrespective of his status in society.
“Professor dines with the rich and the top of the tops but he will know the name of the person who is at the door. He will know the lady in the kitchen. Thank you for a large heart and for knowing even those that are faceless,” says Mrs. Magara.
On her part, Dean, Prof. Wanyenze hailed Prof. Bazeyo for his significant contribution to Makerere University and particularly the School of Public Health.
“If you had not done your part, we couldn’t be where we are today. I picked on from you and everything you left I was able to move on with it because I was building on a strong foundation. I hope you will continue to support us,” said Prof. Wanyenze.
She emphasized that the School of Public Health has been privileged with successive strong and progressive leadership that has continued support the School even when they leave. She thanked the previous leadership of the School including Prof. David Serwadda, Prof. Fred Wabwire-Mangen, Prof. Kakitahi, Prof. Bukenya, Prof. Namboze, among others for their incredible leadership.
“People who have been part of MakSPH are always a part of us—please keep with us. We pray for excellent health for you and for a peaceful retirement.” Prof. Wanyenze said.
Representing the Principal, Professor Isaac Kajja, the Deputy Principal of the Makerere University College of Health Sciences urged the School of Public Health not to lose a person of Prof. Bazeyo’s stature.
Prof. Kajja praised Professor Bazeyo for his kindness and his passion for farming.
“I briefly interacted with Prof. Bazeyo as a Student in my 4th year medical school. But he left something to us. He was kind to us and I remembered how kind you are until I started working with you. Indeed, what these people from School of Public Health have said is right. He is a very kind gentleman. Sincerely that kindness, you will not go away. Even if you try to leave Makerere, with that kindness I know you will come back,” Prof. Kajja said.
He also requested Prof. Bazeyo to continue working and support the School of Public Health and the entire College of Health Sciences.
Prof. Kajja equated the gesture of thanking its staff and those retiring to his former Mentor’s advice the late Church of Uganda Archbishop Dr. Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo who preached about thanking people always.
“It is extremely important to thank people in a timely manner. Immediately thank people when they are still available. That is what I learnt from Archbishop Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo. Why am I saying this? Professor Rhoda Wanyenze and your team, thank you for thanking Professor Bazeyo in a timely manner. When I also leave, the office of the Deputy Principal please thank me. Organize a thank you for me. Don’t wait to thank somebody when we are burying him. Let us develop a culture of thanking people when they are still alive,” Prof. Isaac Kajja appealed.
Professor Bazeyo has been instrumental in fundraising for the new building for MakSPH. Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze revealed at the function that she inherited approximately 1.9bn Uganda shillings from Prof. Bazeyo for construction of the MakSPH building at his handover. She says this money has now increased to more than 12 billion shillings, thanking Bazeyo and the former leadership for having the School at heart.
What staff say about Bazeyo
Prof. David Serwadda, a former Dean of MakSPH says the School has for long dreamed of having a spacious home. “Infrastructure was always on everybody’s mind right from Prof. Gilbert Bukenya’s time through to Prof. Wabwire’s time and to date. Dr. William was very proactive in building and going through various stages of designs and also fundraising for the School.”
Prof. Serwadda says Dr. William Bazeyo was his successor as the Head of Department of Disease Control, his Deputy Dean as well as Dean.
“The School of Public Health has been lucky. Every leader that has come on as far as I can remember builds on the previous leaders’ achievement and the School of Public Health is where it is now because of contribution from each of the previous leadership. Professor Bazeyo definitely did build on,” says Prof. Serwadda.
Associate Prof. John C. Ssempebwa, a former Head of Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health congratulated Professor Bazeyo on his retirement and cited that Department had benefited greatly from his contribution.
“It was an honor to work with a person who was committed to the success of their co-workers. I have learnt a lot from working with you over the years. I do remember when you used to come to our offices mainly in the mornings to check on us how we are doing socially but also professionally. We really loved that and it encouraged us,” Dr. Ssempebwa said.
Associate Prof. Esther Buregyeya, the Head of Disease Control and Environmental Health Department just like Professor David Guwatudde hailed Bazeyo for his great lobbying skills that have seen the Department, School and University benefit immensely from the networks.
“As you usually say, I negotiate till I get YES for an answer, indeed Professor Bazeyo that is what you are,” said Dr. Buregyeya.
According to Dr. Lynn Atuyambe, an Associate Professor in the Department of Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, Professor Bazeyo’s reign at MakSPH saw a log growth in the grant portfolio, academic growth and finance.
Mr. Amos Ashaba Dembe, the internal auditor at MakSPH hailed Prof. Bazeyo for his availability to offer quick solutions and being able to network the School in the entire Makerere and across the various government institutions.
“He would have right and valid contacts at any one time you approached him with a challenge. Sometimes when we are implementing the researches that we manage, you may get stuck either because of policy gaps but whenever you would call on Prof. Bazeyo, he would have the right contacts,” said Ashaba Dembe.
Dr. Fredrick Edward Makumbi, Associate Professor and former Deputy Dean thanked Bazeyo who through his ambitious targets nurtured and saw the establishment of the Staff SACCO which he said had benefited several staff.
In equal measure, Ms. Enid Kemari said; “I think this Sacco has not left us the same. Most staff who have joined this SACCO, their financial status has improved. We have been able to save, but also do some investments which I think is very good.”
Professor Christopher Garimoi Orach praised Prof. Bazeyo for being a result-oriented person; “Apart from fighting for what he believes in very firmly, William is a doer and focused on results. It is really very pleasant to work with him.”
Dr. Elizeus Rutebemberwa, Professor and Deputy Dean MakSPH says he learnt a lot during his time at the helm of the School as someone that wished to see everyone contribute.
“He once narrated how he went to China and visited a factory. In the evening as workers were leaving, each would say, I have been a contribution. And to me, the take home message was every day, one comes to work, one should not just take tea and breathe air but be a contribution to solving challenges facing our country,” Prof. Rutebemberwa.
Professor Bazeyo speaks out
While delivering his remarks, Prof. William Bazeyo thanked Makerere University for the opportunity to serve the nation. He also urged all university staff to always leave a trail in all their work so that they are remembered for their good deeds.
“I want to thank God for this time. I listened to the memory lane and I have listened to what a lot of people have said and it brings me a lot of memories. I want to thank God again for our institution. That you come into an institution, it nurtures you. When the Vice Chancellor talks about these negotiations, meeting donors and so on. Not that you go and say I must! But you have that inside power that it is not yours,” Prof. Bazeyo highlighted.
“It is what you decide to be that you become. I want to thank the university management and council for approving the Master of Environmental and Occupational Health which I for long has been passionate about. If I was allowed, I would come and give some introductory lectures.
I want to thank the university for nurturing me and accepting me. I am not very simple. Some of you know. As they said I don’t take no as an answer and I don’t believe in failure. And I don’t believe that we can’t do a lot. I thank the University for having been patient with me, especially the Vice Chancellor for accepting me to be his Deputy,” Bazeyo says.
He thanked the School of Public Health, his mother Department for nurturing him and equally urged the staff to build networks.
“Professor Rhoda said money or resources do not make everything. Indeed, they don’t. Because all those things come from partnerships and friends. If you don’t have them, you have nothing. She has told us the partnerships that the School has, and that is why the School is ranked high. Let your address be that that means something to communities, humanity, to donors and to other institutions,” Prof. Bazeyo.
Professor Bazeyo apologized for errors and mistakes that he could have made while at Makerere University and asked for forgiveness from those that were hurt by his actions.
“I want to sincerely apologize if in the time I was at the School, I could have offended you either in writing, talking Forgive me those whom I hurt,” Bazeyo remorsefully said.
About Bazeyo
Born on June 22nd, 1957, Professor Bazeyo clocked mandatory retirement age of Makerere University on September 22nd 2017 having joined the University in 1993. He was offered a post retirement contract for four years as a Professor, in the Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health running from June 2017 to June 2021.
In March 1998, Prof. Bazeyo was promoted to rank of Senior Lecturer, Makerere University and subsequently secured a promotion to the rank Associate Professor in 2011 and later Professor in 2015.
In September 2009, Professor Bazeyo was named Dean, a position he held until September 2017 when he handed over to the current Dean, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze upon completion of his term of office.
Professor Bazeyo later rose through the university leadership ranks to become Deputy Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration, Makerere University and later the Head, Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU)
During his tenure in MakSPH, he served as the Head of Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health in 2003.
Makerere University, through the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) and the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), has signed an open Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). This MoU is one of several initiatives aimed at strengthening the university’s global collaborations and research partnerships.
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe highlighted Makerere’s recent centenary celebrations as a testament to its long and influential history in Africa. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to serious, research-driven collaboration, noting Makerere’s aspiration to become a leading student-centered research university that develops solutions to regional challenges.
Prof. Nawangwe emphasized that Makerere’s research addresses critical issues such as widespread poverty, high youth unemployment, the devastating effects of climate change on agriculture, rapid population growth, and political interference in production. These challenges, he explained, call for climate-resilient agriculture, stronger health systems to address emerging diseases, and more inclusive governance. He further observed that Africa’s ambitious goal of producing one million PhDs in the next decade remains constrained by inadequate supervision capacity across the continent, stressing that collaborations like this MoU are key to bridging that gap.
EPRC Executive Director, Dr. Sarah Sewanyana, described the signing as particularly significant for EPRC and its Board of Directors as they embark on a new five-year strategic plan (2025/26–2029/30). She explained that the plan strongly emphasizes strategic collaborations, with this partnership serving as a prime example of leveraging collective strengths to deepen impact. She underscored EPRC’s role in advancing evidence-based policymaking for national development, aligning with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
Prof. James Wokadala, Acting Principal of CoBAMS, emphasized that the collaboration seeks to preserve and expand vital human knowledge while strengthening partnerships between academic institutions and global research networks. He noted that these networks are instrumental in advising legal and policy professionals, as well as aligning research agendas with both national and corporate priorities. He expressed pride in the extensive efforts of the School of Economics that have expanded these activities in recent years. He pointed to significant accomplishments that have been achieved in collaboration with IGC, including hosting a 2025 high-level international conference on mobile money payment systems, which positioned Makerere University as a thought leader on critical African economic issues. He also celebrated the successful bid by the School of Economics to host the ‘Africa Meeting of the Econometric Society’ in 2027, further demonstrating its contribution to impactful scholarship and policy influence.
The Acting Principal further emphasized that the new partnership with LSE will build on these achievements, offering immense benefits such as expanding capacity-building opportunities for faculty and students, especially in research and Public Infrastructure Management (PIM). The collaboration will also provide platforms for knowledge dissemination and policy dialogue, while addressing pressing socio-economic and health challenges. Ultimately, he said, formalisation of the partnership amplifies CoBAMS’ commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and innovation.
Speaking on behalf of LSE’s International Growth Centre (IGC), Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Leape expressed delight at formalizing the long-standing collaboration with Makerere and EPRC. He highlighted current joint projects, including research on the impact of the 2020 gender-based vaccine program on women’s skills and learning, studies on reforms in STEM education, and investigations into barriers limiting business growth for entrepreneurs. He stressed that the core mission is to bring researchers and policymakers together to address pressing policy challenges with robust, reliable evidence and innovative solutions.
The event, held on 27th August 2025, was attended by several dignitaries including Dr. Richard Newfarmer, Country Director for Uganda and Rwanda (IGC); Dr. Nhial Kuch, Senior Country Economist (IGC); and Mary Teddy Nakyejwe, IGC Programme Officer. Also present were the Director of Research, Dr. Ibrahim Kasirye and other members of EPRC leadership.
Makerere University has hosted a delegation from the Ghent University Association, led by Prof. Mieke Van Herreweghe, Vice Rector of Ghent University. The delegation included representatives from Howest University and Hogent University of Applied Sciences.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe welcomed the team and highlighted Makerere University’s commitment to addressing the pressing challenges in the region. These include climate change, which continues to hinder investment, and Uganda’s rapidly growing population that has surged from 5 million in the late 1940s to nearly 50 million currently, creating socio-economic challenges such as high youth unemployment.
He emphasized that Makerere’s research agenda focuses on understanding the fast-growing population, tackling health challenges, advancing governance and human rights, and fostering peace through initiatives such as the Rotary Peace Center—the only one of its kind on the African continent. Research at Makerere also seeks to provide solutions to youth unemployment in one of the world’s youngest nations.
The Vice Chancellor further noted that Makerere University teaches and conducts research across a wide spectrum of disciplines, organized into colleges including Agriculture, Business and Management, Computing, Education and External Studies, Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine. The university also hosts over 60 specialized research centers, among them Centers of Excellence such as the Regional Centre for Crop Improvement, which works to enhance food security, manage pests and diseases, and improve agricultural productivity. Another key institution is the Infectious Diseases Institute, which leads research on HIV/AIDS. With these initiatives, he added, Makerere continues to expand its research footprint while strengthening global partnerships.
Prof. Van Herreweghe provided an overview of Ghent University, founded in 1817 and ranked among the top 100 universities globally for decades. With its motto “Dare to think,” Ghent University has built a strong international reputation. It also holds the distinction of being the only Belgian, and currently the only European, university with a campus in South Korea. Established in 2014, the campus offers bachelor’s programs in applied biotechnology.
She highlighted Ghent’s joint PhD programs, which are structured as sandwich programs to support African universities. Under this arrangement, PhD candidates spend two years funded at Ghent University and another two years at their home university (such as Makerere), with joint supervision from both institutions. These programs, she noted, are a strategic way of fostering international collaboration.
During the visit, Ghent University signed a Student Exchange Agreement with Makerere University to complement the existing Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement will pave the way for more joint initiatives and strengthen collaboration in the years ahead.
The delegation also included Mr. Lieven Theys, International Coordinator for Business Management at Howest University, who explained that Howest clusters its programs into three key domains: Design and Technology, Human Well-being and Health, and Business and Organization. Dr. Robin Stevens represented Hogent University of Applied Sciences, which runs programs across nine schools including Business and Management, Computer Sciences, Biosciences, Industrial Technology, Teacher Training, and Healthcare.
The visit, held on 27th August 2025, was attended by Makerere University officials and members of various colleges, among them Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) and Principal of the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Prof. Tonny Oyana-Principal College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), Prof. Moses Musinguzi-Principal College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Prof. Julius Kikooma-Director Graduate Training, Assoc. Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze-Deputy Principal College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Assoc. Prof. James Wokadala-Deputy Principal College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Assoc. Prof. Richard Idro-Deputy Principal College of Health Sciences, and Dr. Cathy Mbidde, Manager of the Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak UniPod).
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