By now, it is nolonger a secret that effective October 2015, the term of office of Makerere University’s Chancellor is set to expire, bringing to an end Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera’s 44 years of dedicated service to the world-reknown institution.
Prof. Kagonyera was recommended by the University Council and first appointed by President Museveni as the Chancellor in October 2007 for a four-year term that ended in 2011. He was later re-appointed for another four-year term that is set to expire in October this year. According to the Universities and other Tertiary Institutions Act, a person can serve a maximum of two terms as the Chancellor of a public university like Makerere.
Prof. Kagonyera’s eight-year reign at the helm of the Ivory Tower has not been without its fair share of blemishes which include bloody student revolts over tuition increment, faculty allowances, graduation fees increment and strikes over bad food, allegations of students having a roll in the hay with lecturers for marks, forgery of academic transcripts, unabated mob justice, delayed results, lecturer absenteeism and sit down strikes by both teaching and non-teaching staff alike, among others.
When Campusbee reached him for a comment on the steps to the University’s main building, the distinguished professor had the following to say
“To Makerere University Academic Staff, Administrative Staff, Support Staff, Students, it will be eight years as your Chancellor in October and I’ve had a wonderful time serving Makerere University which I have always loved to serve to the best of my ability.
I want to appeal to you to keep up the good name that you have been able to build, and even make it better so that the glory of Makerere University can live forever.”
WHO IS PROFESSOR MONDO KAGONYERA?
He was born in 1941 in Rukungiri District to Mr. Zacharia Kagonyera and Ms Elizabeth Kirihura
Attended Kigezi College for his O level then went to Royal College, Nairobi, Kenya for A level.
From there, he joined University of Narobi from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine. He later went on to acquire a masters then a PHD
He Joined Makerere University in 1971 as a teaching staff.
He was influential in establishing the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-Security (COVAB)
He was Chairperson of the university’s appointments board from 1993 to 1999
He is a forrmer Member of Parliament for Rubabo Constituency in Rukungiri District and a former Minister for General Duties in the Prime Minister’s Office.
WHAT OTHERS SAY OF HIM
Prof. Ddumba Ssentamu, the Vice Chancellor, describes the outgoing Chancellor as a very honest and open-minded person who would go to someone and tell them straight to the face where they had gone wrong instead of backbiting them like other people would have done. He wished Prof. Kagonyera success and goodluck.
A member of the support staff extolled Prof. Kagonyera as a down to earth person who respects all people regardless of their perceived status in society.
Richard, a student of Forestry at the University regards the professor as an amiable, kind and respectful person.
