The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | GODFREY SSALI | On completion of his five year tenure as Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu has in the evening hours of 31st August 2017 handed over office to the next Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
Effective 1st September 2017, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe is the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University.
The Vice Chairperson of Makerere University Council, Hon. Irene Ovonji-Odida presided over the handover meeting held on 31st August 2017 in the Office of the Vice Chancellor.
During the meeting, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu congratulated Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe upon being appointed the next Vice Chancellor and wished him a successful tenure.
Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu commended the University Management team, Senate and Council, Government, staff and other stakeholders for the support accorded to him in the realization of the University’s core values of teaching and learning; research and innovations; and knowledge transfer partnerships and networking.
Cognizant that the Official handover Ceremony is scheduled to take place on 14th September 2017, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu pointed out that he would use the upcoming ceremony to share with the audience a detailed account of his experience during his five year tenure (1st September 2012 to 31st August 2017).
Drawing from his wealth of experience, Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu has requested the Management Team and University Council to re-think the idea of merging the Planning and Development Department with the Finance Department.
“We need to re-think the Planning and Development Unit as an Independent Unit. It may not be a Directorate, but it should remain an Independent Unit.” He also re-echoed the need to strengthen the human resource function of Makerere University.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe who was delighted to take over the mantle of leadership of this great institution thanked Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu for his enormous contribution towards the cause of building for the future.
“Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu led the University during time of significant challenges, but despite those challenges, during Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu’s tenure the University continued to improve her research profile and productivity.”
Prof. Nawangwe noted that some of the infrastructural developments initiated during Prof. Ddumba’ tenure such as the AFDB Central Teaching Facilities will improve the teaching and learning.
Looking forward to the handover ceremony on 14th September 2017, Hon. Irene Ovonji-Odida shared with Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu and Prof. Nawangwe her dream of attracting the State/Government to re-involve itself to supporting higher education in general and public funded Universities in particular.
She emphasized the need for team work, good interpersonal relations, peace-making involving mediation and conflict resolution in our line of service.
