Makerere University, established in 1922 as a modest technical school, is one of the oldest and most prestigious English-speaking universities in Africa.
Initially named Uganda Technical College, the institution opened its doors in January of that year to 14 day students studying Carpentry, Building, and Mechanics. In 1970, Makerere achieved the status of an independent national university.
This article highlights the 11 Vice Chancellors who have led the institution since then (1970);
1- Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe – Vice Chancellor Makerere University 2017 – Current
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe is the current and 11th Vice Chancellor since Makerere University was established as an autonomous institution in 1970.
Born on 17th January 1956 in Busia District in the Eastern Region of Uganda, Nawangwe was first appointed to the position on 14th of September in 2017 until August 2022. On 12 August 2022, the Makerere University Council re-appointed him for a second term of five years.
His leadership has been characterized by a focus on infrastructure development and strengthening the university’s global partnerships
2 – Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu – Vice-Chancellor Makerere University (Aug 2012 – Aug 2017)
Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu served for five years as Vice Chancellor. He was appointed to the position on 28th August 2012.
Previously before his appointment, Ssentamu had served as the Chair of Makerere University Senate, Makerere University Management, and member of Makerere University Council.
The charismatic Professor is on record for spearheading the team that transformed the Department of Economics under the then Faculty of Social Sciences into a fully fledged Faculty of Economics and Management (FEMA), with substantial physical facilities and human resource capacity.
The Faculty was later transformed into the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), where Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu served as the Acting Principal until his elevation to the Vice Chancellorship.
3 – Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba – Acting Vice Chancellor (Nov 2009 – Aug 2012)
Prof. Baryamureeba, a Professor of Computer Science served as Acting Vice Chancellor from 1st November 2009 to 31st August 2012.
Prof. Baryamureeba, a Professor of Computer Science also holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science, M.Sc. in Computer Science, Post Graduate Diploma in Analysing Linear Programming Models, M.Sc. (Mathematics)-Coursework and B.Sc. (Hons) among other qualifications.
Under his leadership, the University restructured its academic programmes, instituted financial and administrative reforms, restructured academic and administrative units into a collegiate system, opened two up-country university campuses, improved research output, improved financial performance of the University, and improved the general image of the University.
4 – Professor Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, Acting Vice Chancellor (Apr – Oct 2009)
Professor Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza served as Acting Vice Chancellor from April 2009 to October 2009 and 1st Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs.
A Professor of Law, Lillian holds a Ph.D. from the University of Copenhagen Denmark; a Masters of Law (LL.M in Commercial Law) from Bristol, U.K.; and an Honours Degree in Law (LL.B. Hons.) from Makerere University. She is also an advocate in the Courts of Uganda’s Judicature.
She is widely known for her special interest in women’s right to education and has in the recent past been recognised as a FAWE Prominent Educationalist.
5 – Professor Livingstone Serwadda Luboobi, Vice Chancellor (2004 – 2009)
Remembered for his strong collaborations with International Universities and organisations in various areas, Professor Luboobi served as Vice Chancellor from 2004 to 2009.
An alumnus, Professor Luboobi joined Makerere University as a Special Assistant in 1970 but had served as a tutorial in his 3rd year of his undergraduate studies.
He was promoted to the rank of Lecturer in 1973, Senior Lecturer in 1977, Associate Professor in 1985 before becoming full Professor in 1997. He has taught courses at undergraduate and graduate level and supervised students and research at MSc. and Ph.D level.
6 – Professor Pancas John Mukasa Lubowa Ssebuwufu, Vice Chancellor (1993 – 2004)
Prof. Pancas John Mukasa Lubowa Ssebuwufu served as Vice Chancellor of Makerere University from 1993 to 2004 and successor to Prof. Senteza Kajubi, who completed his 2nd tenure in 1993.
Prof. Ssebuwufu holds a Ph.D in Chemistry from the Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland (1977) as well as a BSc. in Chemistry (1970) and an MSc. in Chemistry both from Makerere University. He also holds a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Chemistry from the Queen’s University Belfast (1979).
Prior to his appointment, he had served as Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at Makerere University, where he was promoted to Senior Lecturer (1985), Head, Department of Chemistry (1987) and Professor of Chemistry (1990). In 1993, he was appointed Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, after serving as Principal, Institute of Teacher Education Kyambogo (1990 -1993).
During his tenure, there was an increase in academic programmes as well as student population from 5,000 to 14,000. Various infrastructures for academic and administrative purposes and several income generating initiatives we also established under his leadership.
7 – Professor Barnabas George Kirya, Vice Chancellor (Apr 1986 – Nov 1990)
Prof. George Barnabas Kirya was appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University after Prof. Wandira’s second term ended on 1st April 1986.
He served as Vice Chancellor from 1986 – 1990, and there after, was named Uganda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (1997-2003). He was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Birmingham in 2001 in recognition of his distinguished service as a Diplomat of the Republic of Uganda.
Prior to his appointment as Vice Chancellor, he lectured at the Department of Biochemistry, where he had served as Professor and Head of Department (1978-1986).
Prof. Kirya joined Makerere University as an intern in Mulago Hospital’s Surgery and Pediatrics Department. He was promoted from the rank of Visiting Lecturer, Department of Microbiology (1970-1973) to Senior Lecturer (1973-1975).
8 – Professor William Senteza Kajubi, Vice Chancellor (1977-1979, 1990-1993)
Prof. William Senteza Kajubi served as the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University at two different intervals; 1977 – 1979 and 1990 – 1993.
The 1st period which during Idi Amin’s regime was difficult. It was marked by war and consequent instability especially when Tanzania-led forces invaded Uganda to overthrow President Idi Amin. Several buildings were damaged and inflation was high hence salaries were eroded; academicians who were in exile were discouraged from returning. This hampered the growth of academic programmes and infrastructure.
During the 2nd period of Prof. Kajubi’s tenure, Makerere was recovering from the effects of civil strife and political instability and adapting to the structural adjustment programmes. The latter cut back Government support to the University; and revenue generating initiatives; mainly self–sponsorship, were introduced to help bridge the gap.
Born on 24th December 1926 in Kireku village, Singo District, Profile. Kajubi acquired a Msc in Geography from the University of Chicago in 1955 where he was a Fulbright Scholar (1952-1955) and a BA with the Diploma in Education of Makerere University (1950). On 30th January 2010 he was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Science of Mbarara University. He however, passed on at the 85 on Tuesday May, 2012.
9 – Professor Joseph Sekyala Winter Lutwama, Vice Chancellor (Jan 20, 1975 – Sept 19, 1977)
Prof. Joseph Sekyala Winter Lutwama served as Vice Chancellor of the University for two years between 1975 and 1977.
Born in 1926, Prof. Joseph Sekyala Winter Lutwama was the first African to be named Head Department of Preventive Medicine, consequently the Institute of Public Health in 1964 and currently the School of Public Health.
The following year, he was appointed Dean of the Medical School, a position he held until he was appointed Vice Chancellor of Makerere University on 20th January, 1975. He held this position until 19th September 1977.
Prof. Lutwama passed away on 23rd October 1986 at Mulago, Kampala.
10 – Prof. Asavia Wandira, Vice Chancellor (1973-1975, 1979-1986)
He served his first tenure as Vice Chancellor from 1972 to 1975, after which he left Uganda. He served as Professor of Education at the University of Swaziland. On return to Uganda, he was named Minister of Education in 1979. Thereafter, Professor Wandira was appointed Vice Chancellor up to 1985.
He is the second longest serving head of Makerere University and among the few who got the chance of serving at two different intervals.
Prof. Asavia Wandira was born in 1933, in Bunyantole village, Bugweri district and passed away at Nakasero Hospital, Kampala on Thursday 3rd October, 2019 at the age of 86.
11 – Mr. Frank Kalimuzo, Vice Chancellor (1st July, 1970 – 4th October, 1972)
Mr. Frank Kalimuzo was the first Vice Chancellor of the newly formed Makerere University, appointed on 1st July 1970 by then President H.E. Apollo Milton Obote. He holds an Overseas Course B from the Wadham College in Oxford, UK (1956), an Honours Degree (Economics Major) from the University College of Aberystwyth in Wales (1955) and a BA in Education of Makerere University (1946)
In his brief tenure, Commerce, Forestry, Law and Technology disciplines were added to those on offer. Veterinary Medicine, which was being offered at Nairobi University, was introduced at Makerere University while Music, Dance and Drama became diploma subjects. The Main Library and Albert Cook Medical Library were extended in 1972.
