General
Council Celebrates Prof. Suruma’s Two Terms as Chancellor
It was an evening of warm remarks and celebration as the University Council on Wednesday, 20th December took a moment during its last meeting of 2023 to celebrate the conclusion of Prof. Ezra Suruma’s two terms as Chancellor. Prof. Suruma who was installed as Chancellor on 18th January 2016 was at the expiry of his first term in December 2019 re-appointed by the President of the Republic of Uganda and Visitor of Makerere University, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for a second eligible term.
Welcoming Members of Council, Management and other guests to the celebration, the University Secretary and evening’s moderator Mr. Yusuf Kiranda noted that the dinner was only one of the activities the University Council had lined up in honour of Prof. Suruma’s distinguished service.
Delivering the opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe expressed delight at welcoming Prof. Suruma and his wife Mrs. Specioza Suruma to the evening of celebration. He testified that he had enjoyed a very cordial working relationship with Prof. Suruma, whose advice has always been valuable.
Turning to the day’s host the Chairperson of Council, Prof. Nawangwe observed that Makerere has attained a lot during Mrs. Lorna Magara’s term, especially with regard to changes aimed at fostering the University’s research-intensive and research-led aspirations. “In the Soviet Union we used to say ‘thank you very much our very wise and visionary leader’”.
The Vice Chancellor equally thanked the Government for restoring confidence in the University as exhibited by designated funding for research and innovations (Mak-RIF), timely remuneration and able representation on Council. In the same breath he thanked the University Management as well as the Principals and their Deputies for the hard work that has kept Makerere shining and internationally recognized.
In her remarks prior to inviting Prof. Suruma to address the guests, Mrs. Lorna Magara acknowledged the Vice Chancellor’s appreciation of her leadership, relating it to a proverb often quoted by leadership gurus that says, “If you think you are leading and no one is following you, then you are only taking a walk.”
She too paid allegiance to Prof. Suruma, whom she admitted looking up to as “a strong leader, a leader of integrity, a man who leads by conviction”, and who has challenged all members of Council and Management to lead the same way. His distinguished service, Mrs. Magara added, has inspired both staff and students to lead more impactful and conscientious lives.
Quoting a public speaker who recently used the illustration of a pencil to describe human life, the Chairperson of Council shared that just as the important part of the pencil is the lead that writes, the important part of life is who we are on the inside. Similarly, just as sharpening makes the pencil usable, Mrs. Magara pointed out that it is the difficult experiences that sharpen us and prompt us to lead more impactful lives.
She therefore paid tribute to Prof. Suruma for being an exception leader, “you have fathered us, you have given us wisdom, you have guided us” praised Mrs. Magara, before adding “and we bless you together with your wife and your family that the next season will just take you further up in your purpose in life.”
She concluded by informing guests that the University Council would request Prof. Suruma to deliver a public lecture early in 2024, whereupon he would be presented with various items in appreciation of his distinguished leadership as Chancellor.
Prof. Suruma’s remarks of the evening were equally as warm, expressing great joy and satisfaction with the Makerere University Community for eight years of friendship, cooperation and leadership at Uganda’s greatest educational institution.
“In a very special way, permit me to thank the University Council Chairperson, Mrs. Lorna Magara and the entire Council for eight years of professional cooperation and leadership… Allow me also to say how delighted I am to recognize the excellence and distinction of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe. Thank you very much for serving humanity with such great love and sacrifice” extolled Prof. Suruma.
Turning to the Graduation Ceremonies, a highlight of his role as Chancellor, Prof. Suruma thanked the Deputy Vice Chancellors, Prof. Umar Kakumba and Prof. Henry Alinaitwe as well as the Academic Registrar and Principals of colleges for ensuring that the events were managed efficiently and effectively throughout his tenure. In the same breath, he acknowledged the special relationship nurtured with the Department of Performing Arts and Film, whose performances he said, “Often brought tears of joy to my eyes”.
Prof. Suruma described his fifty years of relationship with Makerere University where he started out as Lecturer in 1973 as “intermittent”. In 1975 he had to leave for the USA to complete his Ph.D, which he did in 1976, but had to wait until President Amin’s overthrow in 1979 to return. Unfortunately, he had to flee back into exile that same year because he had joined politics and the military was looking for him, only returning in 1985 when it was safer.
In 1987 he once again had to leave Makerere to take up the position of Director of Research at the Bank of Uganda, where he rose to the rank of Deputy Governor in 1990. He went on to serve in various capacities as Chairman and Managing Director of Uganda Commercial Bank (1993-1996), Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (2005-2009), and as Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit (PDMU) during which term of service he was appointed Chancellor in 2016.
“When my late father, Sulumani Baliranwa prayed to be an intellectual as the Late John Bikangaga, probably the first graduate from Kigezi region, God told him that would not happen. But He promised that ‘one of your sons would teach Uganda’. That divine promise has been fulfilled in my presence here” remarked Prof. Suruma.
He therefore prayed that all present at the dinner would discover God’s purpose for their lives and pursue it diligently, and concluded by thanking the University Leadership for treating him and his wife to the wonderful evening of celebration. Upon Prof. Suruma’s request, the Department of Performing Arts and Film led by the Chair, Dr. Benon Kigozi sung the hymn Amazing Grace and in the Spirit of Christmas followed it up with Joy to the World.
By Gerald Ochwo
On Friday 18th September 2026, the Department of the Academic Registrar, Makerere University, held a befitting farewell ceremony in honour of Mr. Charles Ssentongo and Ms. Betty Akoli, who have retired from University service upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.
Mr. Ssentongo retires as Deputy Academic Registrar in charge of Undergraduate Admissions and Records, after 26 years of dedicated service to the University, a journey he began in 2000. Ms. Akoli retires as Assistant Academic Registrar.
The farewell, held in the Senate Building Conference Hall, was presided over by Ms. Prossie Nakayiki, the Acting Academic Registrar, and was attended by members of the Senior Management Team and staff of the Academic Registrar’s Department.
In recognition of their distinguished and spotless service, the two retirees were awarded institutional plaques and assorted gifts from the Department and individual members of staff.
Mr. Ssentongo and Ms. Akoli’s retirement follows that of other senior members of the Department, including Mrs. Patience Mushengyezi, who retired earlier this year.
The Department of the Academic Registrar remains deeply indebted to Mr. Ssentongo and Ms. Akoli for their highly committed, exemplary, and dedicated service to Makerere University. We wish them a happy, healthy, and fulfilling retirement.
We celebrate you.
More photos from the event: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD5btz
-
General1 week agoUndergraduate Admissions: Students allowed to Change Programs/Subjects 2026/27
-
Computing & IS1 week agoProf. Engineer Bainomugisha Takes Over as Principal of CoCIS, Pledges Focus on Excellence, Research and Innovation
-
General6 days agoProf. Sarah Ssali urges the Makerere University Community to embrace local philanthropy
-
Engineering, Art & Tech1 week agoMakerere & Partners Kick Off FLOWERS Project to Turn Restaurant Waste into a Regenerative Resource
-
Business & Management2 weeks agoCoBAMS, European Partners Launch Programme to Equip Students with Polycrisis Management Skills