The Makerere University Council 2022 – 2026 was on 18^th May 2023 fully constituted as the last four representatives of Senior Administrative Staff, the Convocation and Students were sworn in by Senior Principal Magistrate Grade I, Entebbe, Her Worship Stella Okwong Paculal. The ceremony, held in the Council Room, was attended by the Vice Chairperson of Council, Rt. Hon. Daniel Fred Kidega, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Members of Management, Staff, families of the representatives, and moderated by the University Secretary and Secretary to Council, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda.

One by one, the representatives led by Mr. Amanya Henry-Senior Administrative Staff took the Oath of the Member of Makerere University Council and the Oath of Secrecy, as their constituents applauded. He was followed by representatives; Mr. Mugabi George Turyamureeba-Convocation, 89^th Guild President H.E. Maseruka Robert and 89^th Vice Guild President H.E. Namiiro Mariat-Students.

Congratulating the representatives, Her Worship Okwong Paculal said that the oath the new members had taken was one of service and a reminder to already sworn in representatives that the public expected the best from them. Quoting from the Holy Bible, she took the opportunity to remind Members of Council to let their ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and ‘No’, ‘No.’ “We have seen your ‘Yes’ (as you swore in) today and we expect that you will abide by that oath.”

Speaking on behalf of the University Management, Prof. Nawangwe congratulated the newly sworn in representatives, and added “you have been appointed Members of Council of one of the most prestigious universities in the world.”

He reminded representatives that Makerere has been governed by very eminent Members of Council over the last 100 years, and that it was the role of this new Council to take the University to greater heights. “We expect that you will work with maximum integrity to ensure that our University not only remains as prestigious but also moves to a higher level.”

Representing the Chairperson of Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara, Rt. Hon. Kidega thanked HW Okwong Paculal for presiding over the ceremony and congratulated the representatives upon being elected to Council by their constituents.

In particular, he congratulated the Guild and Vice Guild Presidents upon their election and requested them to balance between expectations of their constituency and the University Council’s work.

“We have had beautiful experiences with your predecessors; they had only three months but these felt like three years of work they have done with us. We really congratulate the outgoing leadership for the great work and we urge you to work closely with them and listen to them” added. Rt. Hon. Kidega.

The Vice Chairperson thanked the University Management led by Prof. Nawangwe for keeping the University in good shape. He added that Makerere is at the brink of being research-led, and that the hope of the whole nation was in the University Council and its members to help the institution achieve this objective.

Making mention of the oaths he took as Head Prefect of Ntare School and later as Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kidega invited representatives to pay critical attention to the words of the oath they had taken, as a guide to all the work they will undertake as Members of Council.

“Reflect or re-read the commitment you have made to this great University and Council and you will not make any mistakes. I would like to assure you that the University Council is a great place to work. This is my second term and I thank my colleagues who have allowed me to serve as the Vice Chairperson of this great University Council” he added.

The Makerere University Council is made up of twenty-four (24) members with appointees from Government, Council, Senate, Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), Ministry of ICT and National Guidance (MoICT) and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). Other appointees are from the National Union of Disabled Persons in Uganda (NUDIPU), Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), Makerere University Administrative Staff Association (MASA), Support Staff, Staff with Disabilities, Makerere University Convocation as well as the Students.

The fully constituted Council consists of appointees; Mrs. Lorna Magara (Chairperson), Rt. Hon. Daniel Fred Kidega (Vice Chairperson), and Mr. Edwin Karugire-Government; Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe-Vice Chancellor; Prof. Umar Kakumba-Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs); Prof. Henry Alinaitwe-Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration); Mr. Bruce Kabaasa Balaba, Dr. James L. Nkata, and Mr. George Bamugemereire-Council; Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze and Prof. Sarah Ssali-Senate; Dr. Edward Damulira Sengonzi-MoFPED; Mr. Timothy Musoke Sejjoba-MoES; Mr. Silas Ngabirano-MoICT; Mr. Julius Kateregga-KCCA; Mr. John Chris Ninsiima-NUDIPU; Dr. Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi and Dr. Dianah Ahumuza Ateenyi-MUASA; Mr. Amanya Henry-MASA; Mr. Byamukama Jackson-Support Staff; Mr. Amon Muteganda Kabahima-Staff with Disabilities; Mr. Mugabi George Turyamureeba-Convocation; H.E. Maseruka Robert and H.E. Namiiro Mariat-Students.