Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika has officially become the third Vice Chancellor of Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST).
Upon installation, she has become the first woman to hold the position.
Prof. Byakika was installed during a ceremony attended by top officials, including Hon. J.C. Muyingo, State Minister for Higher Education, and Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
Prof. Nawangwe expressed confidence in Prof. Byakika’s ability to build on the achievements of her predecessor, Prof. Celestino Obua, who emphasized teamwork during his tenure.
During her acceptance speech, Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika pledged to foster an inclusive and diverse campus, emphasizing her commitment to the academic success and personal growth of students.
She promised to listen to the voices and concerns of the university community, enhancing their experiences and services.
Prof. Obua, in his farewell, thanked his colleagues for their support and expressed pride in the accomplishments of his tenure.
Prof. Byakika-Kibwika’s appointment is a milestone for women in leadership roles within Uganda’s higher education sector.
As the third female Vice Chancellor of a public university in Uganda, Prof. Byakika is set to lead MUST into a promising future, following the solid foundation laid by Prof. Obua.
Below are some pictorial highlights from the event;