Makerere gets first female head of political science department

By Innocent Anguyo

SHE has vowed to restore the superiority of the Makerere University department of Political Science and Public Administration as the leading policy swaying body in Uganda.

Dr. Nansozi Muwanga, the new head of the Makerere University department of Political Science and Public Administration has also pledged to revive a culture rigorous interaction between academics and national decision makers that died in the late 1960’s.

The first female to hold the prestigious position, Dr. Nansozi had to beat stiff competition from men to ascend to the helm of the department she joined in 1983.

For her, it has been a sole journey. Nansozi is the only full-time don at the male-dominated department.

She started work in February this year, although she caught wind of the results of the search process in December last year.

Speaking to New Vision about her new assignment recently, Nansozi said she was up to the task of leading the department towards recuperating its glory that initially saw it critique all policies in the country, before its academics resigned to “self-censorship” starting from the Idi Amin regime.

“We have to stand for something, or we will fall for everything,” said Nansozi, noting that it was important for the department to take unprejudiced stand in critical issues prevailing in the country.

Her priority in the next four years of her tenure, Nansozi said will be retooling of staff to meet the ever changing teaching and research criteria. So far, she has helped in writing three project proposals, with one intended to bankroll retooling of staff.

“In four years, we can make a difference in relaying the foundation,” said Nansozi, who is a Fulbright and Stanford University alumnus.

Hasifa Kabejja, the communication officer of the College of Human and Social Sciences describes Nansozi as an enthusiastic leader with great ideas aimed at returning the department to the top of policy analysis.”

Nansozi hopes to organise a series of discourses at Makerere University, to provide a platform for decision makers, dons and students to interact and chart the way forward for critical issues in Uganda.

As much as it “felt nice for her to assume the helm of the department”, Nansozi was quick to note that she faced a daunting task of motivating staff, improving learning environment, expanding revenue basket, acquiring new infrastructure and retooling staff. Nansozi replaces Dr Salim K. Simba.

Who is Nansozi

Nansozi K. Muwanga holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University Of Toronto, Canada, and a Masters Degree in Area Studies from London University.

She also has a Post Graduate Diploma in International relations and Development from the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague, The Netherlands.

She received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science of Makerere University in 1979.

A Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Makerere University, Nansozi has over fifteen years of working experience, as an educator, researcher and administrator.

But her real passion lies in education - the making of education policy as well as the delivery of quality education at different levels and in different national contexts and how this gives opportunity and a voice to those often excluded.